Urticaria-anyone knowledgable?

[Sparklingbrook]

Had an itchy red patch on my neck for about a week. GP says allergy/ Urticaria and has suggested a daily antihistamine. I took one yesterday, and one today. Itchy patch still there and red and itchy.

Should it have gone by now? Can you suggest any cream to stop it itching?

Bit miserable now.

[Kundry]

Hi - you'll need to take the anti-histamine everyday until such time as your body decides to stop having urticaria - could be a week, could be months (I've had both). Sometimes it's obvious that you were allergic to something but it's more common for it to just happen out of the blue and you'll never know what caused it - I had urticaria for months a few years ago and then it suddenly disappeared as mysteriously as it came.

Anti-histamine is also the best way to stop the itching, a cream isn't going to get you anywhere (again, remembers what it was like covered in it head to toe).

If the anti-histamine isn't clearing it up after a few days go back to your GP, sometimes you need double doses or more than one anti-histamine.

[Sparklingbrook]

Thanks so much Kundry that is really helpful. I suppose I was all when the tablets didn't work straight away.

It's one tablet a day-does it make any difference when you take it?

Thanks for the 'no cream' thing. The itch/burn is maddening isn't it? I guess covering it in gunk isn't helpful.

[Kundry]

I don't think it makes a difference unless it tells you in the packet.

The anti-histamine needs to be in your system powerfully enough to stop your cells releasing the excess histamine - a cream isn't going to change that, even an anti-histamine one isn't as strong as the tablets are.

It is completely maddening. I remember being at work covered in blotches and not being able to stop myself continually scratching my bum

[Sparklingbrook]

It's bizarre. I would say looking at where it is it's a reaction to a scarf or something. Really itchy and burny. My hair hides the worst-looks like someone has tried to strangle me.

I feel much better reading what you said though. I have a GP appointment in 2 weeks so if no better by then i can ask for different antihistamines maybe.

I bought this lot over the counter not sure how it works out moneywise against prescriptions.

[Sparklingbrook]

Kundry I am soo fed up. The Loratidine Anti-histamine isn't doing anything yet. Would it be worth me trying a different one?

The rash seemed to look great this morning, pink rather than red. But at them moment it's all red again. Seems to change hourly.

I have a GP appointment on 7/3.

[Kundry]

Def get seen again - I think I ended up with double dose of two anti-histamines at once.

Can you get another appointment sooner?

[Sparklingbrook]

Thank you. The appointment on 7/3 is with my usual Doctor who I really want to see. so I will keep that one and make another sooner one with 'any Doctor' and see if we can up the meds.

Thanks for listening.

[woofsaidtimmy]

You can take two types of antihistamines at once - so if you took a loratidine in the morning you could take a cetirizene (sp?) in the evening. The latter is the fastest-acting, I believe.

[Sparklingbrook]

That was the one I was looking at in Boots today- Cetirizene. The GP did say that we may have to try different ones.

[Catsmamma]

I get ( got) urticaria from being too hot or too cold, or moving from one to the other. It just got worse and worse so hardly any temperature variation would set it off....legs, arms and body

Mine is much more like a bright red and white hot nettle rash under the skin and if i even touch it, it spreads even further.

I had to take anti histamines for about 18 months in the end, ran out one day and the itching never came back! Although I did have an episode not so long ago and was worried it was back but that seemed to be a one off

I never went to the GP about it, but certainly would have if the antihistamines had not stopped it.

[Sparklingbrook]

I would love to know what I have done to cause it. It looks like it could be a reaction to perfume or a scarf/collar on a coat-looking at where it is.

GP did say stress can be a cause which is a shame as I am nearly off my ADs.

My friends DS had cold Urticaria and suffered terribly, and that went as quickly as it arrived.

it is weird.

[ScampiFriesRuleOK]

I too have been covered head to toe in urticaria for the past 3 weeks. It's particularly horrendous on my palms and toes (excrutiatingly sensitive & throbbing).

I'm pregnant, so asked my MW to check my LFT's for obstetric cholestasis, but that all came back clear. Everyone's been scratching their heads (scuse the pun) including several GP friends of mine.

Im under lots of stress at the mo so suspected it might be that, but then I checked for Sertraline side-effects in the BNF and sure enough- urticaria is a v common side effect. I've been on Sertraline (SSRI) for years but recently increased my dose, so Im sure it's that.

OP - you mentioned you also take AD's- if they're SSRI's this could be the cause. Or- are you perhaps pregnant?!

[Sparklingbrook]

Been on the ADs since 2011 (Citalopram) but it crossed my mind coming off them may be causing it?
Definitely not pregnant.

DH suggested Calamine but I really don't want to touch it at all if possible.

Scampi poor you that sounds horrible-I only have a patch on my neck and it's driving me daft.

[EnglishGirlApproximately]

This is really interesting. I've had Urticuria on and off for years and after ending up at A & E with blistering skin 2 weeks ago I have finally been referred to immunology to see uf they can get to the cause rather than treat the symptoms. I've had all of the allergy tests before but nothing conclusive came of it so I have everything crossed for my referral.

My new GP believes it to be contact Urticuria so its caused by my skin touching something which it reacts to. This makes sense to me as I react badly to things like edges of tables, or kneeling on a carpet with bare legs.
Sorry, a bit if a ramble but I'm excited about getting it sorted as I've had a very itchy and uncomfortable 15 years!

[Sparklingbrook]

15 years English. I would be excited too. I hope it goes well for you.

[EnglishGirlApproximately]

Thank you :)

[Evilynn]

Ask the pharmacist for some hydrocortisone cream and try on a very small patch as it can sometimes make it worse.

[Sparklingbrook]

Thanks Evilynn. I have some of that somewhere.

Got up-not looking angry and red at all. Come midday-bright red and itchy.

[Imonlydreaming]

I have random episodes of urticaria and it's usually triggered by a virus for me. Then my body goes into a reactive state and I become allergic to all/ any salicylates which are preservatives found in food and other products. Some are naturally occurring eg in apples. Then I have to eat a really bland diet.
I also have to take antihistamines, steroids and I was prescribed ranitidine which works with the antihistamines.
Hope you feel better soon - it really is miserable

[ppeatfruit]

Well it could be caused by oranges,tomatoes, peppers, black pepper, vinegar (acid forming foods) some people are allergic to dairy and or aspartame,normal tea, chicken.

Or the mixing of fruit with carbs (e.g. apple crumble type puddings) .

You could try taking turmeric supplements they are very good for allergies. And use aloe vera to put on it as well as to take. Good luck sparkling

[Bluesandgreen]

None of the OTC antihistamines work for me but fexofenadine at highish doses cleared the lot up in days :) You often have to try a few to find something that works

[Sparklingbrook]

Thanks all. Lots to try. Stuff applied topically tends to burn. i tried some aqueous cream and that was yowchy.

Why is it on my neck and just my neck I wonder? I bought a snood today to cover it up when I am out. Looks like someone has tried to strangle me!

[ppeatfruit]

The pure (or 99% org. pure ) aloe vera gel is so gentle it has never stung me.It's the only stuff I'd trust on anything!

Our bodies are weird;when certain organs are affected they affect certain parts of us. E.G. spleen or gall bladder.

[Sparklingbrook]

Ooh can you do a link ppeat. i have some from Holland and Barrett somewhere-i need to find it and look at %.