Please advise: urticaria

[ArtyStripySocks]

Dd2, 16 gets flare ups on her legs sometime daily, sometimes a couple of times a week. Patches which are extremely hot and red. She has been getting this for a couple of years. (I forget about it because she doesn't complain.). I showed these pics to a gp and they said urticaria.
No idea what causes it, she can't think of any triggers. It's very weird. Annoying rather than debilitating, but nonetheless I'd like to get to the bottom of it. Any ideas? Pics attached.

Allergy UK have a fact sheet about it. Hope that helps a bit

Thank you!!!

I feel.for her. It's very uncomfortable and may be allergy related. I've had it when I am very stressed.

I had it, linked to either cold or changes in temperature. So I’d get out of bed in the morning and BAM it would erupt. Going in an out of shops in the winter and my face would erupt. Also getting hot and sweaty then cooling down quickly.

So it can be very random what causes it!

I was able to keep it under control with a piriton tablet a day, despite it being horrendous when it started.

I was pregnant when it started (GP approved the piriton) and it ended when the baby was about 18 months. So 2 years.

If it’s allergy the position suggests pyjamas or bedding and washing powder, or that plus heat of the bed?

I have it and honestly there aren't any triggers.

A daily cetirizine keeps it under control mostly, sometimes I need an extra one.

Personally wouldn't take piriton as it can make you drowsy and newer, better anti-histamines are available.

Thank you!
I will mention the antihistamine to her. I take cetririzine for hayfever. It's a good idea for if she has a special event. I'd worry about every day antihistamines though.....? I guess it depends on how bad it is for her.

Interesting about temperature changes being a trigger. I'll look at that. It's definitely not the actual temperature, but might be the change.

@RandomQuestionOfTheDay I was considering trying to isolate triggers and playing with detergents etc. She's been at boarding school until now and it started there, but has always been exactly the same at home; different detergent environment etc. I should try though....

Thanks very much all!

@AnnaMagnani how long have you had it for?

Dd1 had a two week phase of once a day for half an hour, being covered with urticaria which looked like nettle strings, when she was about a year old. Then it stopped.

I suffer chronic spontaneous urticaria, its a nightmare. Oncologist told me triggers can be hormones , heat, pressure, water, stress. Its a minefield. Fexofenadine is very effective for alot of people who suffer. Hope your daughter doesnt suffer too long.

Hey OP, i used to have this and was put on steroids for a few weeks.

My mam has had this over 30 years (she was also pregnant when it first started). She takes daily tablets for it but finds it still happens with temp- hot to cold and if she goes low on sugar.

On and off, I've had it for 25 years!

Steroids are not recommended as although they work like a dream, when you finish the course it can come back even worse.

For different reasons I added to my gluten-free (coeliac) diet restrictions on sugar, alcohol, caffeine, dairy and since then this has cleared up my urticaria as well as joint pain, rosacea and brain fog.

Right o. Lots of very interesting things to consider here. Thank you.

There's absolutely no chance I'll be able to get her to start restricting foods to isolate triggers, but if it continues to adulthood, she can think about that.
Good suggestions re wariness around the short term gains of steroids. Thanks.

Sorry it's been 25 years! What a pita. I hope dd is spared that!

Has she seen her own GP? I would ask her GP practice if any of their GPs specialise is skin and then get some professional advice. I’m an eczema sufferer myself but have had urticaria from cut grass. It’s easy to underestimate how itchy and distressing such things can be unless you experience them yourself.

Exactly this for me (aka chronic idiopathic urticaria). Have had episodes on and off for years and also treated with fexofenadine at its worst. Fairly low dose kept it under control.
Keeping cool helped and also dabbing cold water on it for relief.

I presume you don't use bio washing powder?

Makes no difference to me what washing powder I use.

Just wondering. It's terrible for my eczema.