I've had urticaria since I was 14, i'm 21 now, it went away for a couple of years, but 3 years years ago it suddenly came back, not sure why nothing had changed, doctors tell me it will burn out but its still here, it had gone away after 6 months or so but it came back again last summer, i'm putting it down to big changes at work, but have no idea how to get rid off it, and over the past couple of weeks its got worse and is up the whole time in some form or other, at the moment all over my back and my face is very swollen. If any one has any ideas please let me know as its getting me down which is probably making me worse!

Hi
I to have chronic idiopathic urticaria, started getting hives 4 years ago. The last year they told me that I have chronic idiopathic urticaria, but mine is dew to heat and im on zirtek two a day loratadine two a day plus I have an epipen when I get very bad. I have to avoid aspirin, non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs and ace. I get it daily, but they are mild and when I get it bad my body swells up ie my face, hands, feet, and its very itchy.

What starts it off weather gets hot, in the winter my heating is on low, if im out in the cold and go into a warm place within 10mins my rash has started, they said to me they dont know why people are getting it.

Hi
Yea its getting me down, now in my 4th year, having just had UVB treatment (standing in a booth with tungsten lights all around me) which made no difference struggling to maintain relationships and motivate myself in work due to lethargy and irritability.
Has anyone found successs with either pyschiatry or holistic healing. My concern is the cost and worry that it may not work. The only reprieve I get at present is sitting in an extremely hot bath (not recommended but soothing) or steriods.

Hello,

I am so glad that I found this site to share my problem, hoping that I would find someone that might have had similar things (not hoping somebody else has it).

A dozen doctors haven been stumped by my rare skin/nerve condition for the last four years. I have searched far and wide and have asked hundred of people. I could not even get a sure diagnosis of it. No second person has had it or heard about it.

Symptoms –
· My thigh and butt skins burn and sting when sitting down and under pressure. The pain goes away as soon as the pressure is relieved when I stand up.
· The skin is very sensitive. Can’t even bear clothes seams or even the “peach fuzz” on the surface of fabric. Likes smooth and hard surface.
· No rashes or visible physical signs on the thigh and butt skin. No loss of strength. No impact on any other physical activities. Very rarely, I felt and itch on the skin and when I scratch, some bumps appeared and went away quickly.
· Did have redness under pressure and dermatography, but that has been largely gone for a couple of years.
· No particular food or situation that made it worse.

Diagnosis and Treatment –
· Have seen three neurologists. All tests are fine. None of the treatment worked.
· Have seen dermatologist and allergist. None of the treatment worked.
· The closest thing is Pressure Urticaria according to the allergist. But, the symptoms do not match up. His last prescription is “to pray” and I have been doing that.

Other related information
· I have searched far and wide and talked to hundreds of people. No second person has it or has heard about something similar. This is the most surprising.
· I had stopped taking aspirin for my migraine after I read that it may trigger pressure urticaria. It has not changed anything.
· I work for an Aluminum Company, but I rarely get in touch with aluminum.
· I travel a lot in my job and this has been really debilitating in sitting.
· After four years, I am thinking that it is a strange cross between dermatology and neuro.
· It has not improved much, it is just I have learned how to cope with and tolerate it.
· I have also talked and asked my medical insurance company and they are of no help.

Has anybody experienced similar things? Your help is greatly appreciated.

Regards,
Hong