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Suggest Treatment For Chronic Urticaria

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Posted on Wed, 2 Nov 2016
Question: Hi
I'm 45 year old female, suffering from skin allergy for the past 10 to 15 years. I even got the allergy test done 2 years ago where they listed food items im allergic to and milk and milk products were the major ones.
Lately, my allergy has gone so bad that i continuously have itching and red patches and rashes despite taking medicines. I even consulted another dermatologist last month but its of no help.
Also, I had consulted a physician who had prescribed me an anti allergy pill that I have to take every day else it gets unbearable.
Kindly guide me and prescribe me something to cure my skin allergy.
I'm attaching the recent prescription and the anti allergy pill that I take everyday.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dinah Levillard (4 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Chronic urticaria. Revert with clarifications. Treat as advised

Detailed Answer:
Hello ma'am and welcome to HCM
I'm Dr Dinah and I'll be answering your questions today.
Sorry to hear you are suffering with chronic allergies.
Firstly, I would like a few clarifications.
-Could you kindly resend the image of your prescription or type it out, as the image received is not complete. It only shows your pills.
-When you did the allergy tests, did they test only for food items or for other substances as well? chemicals, drugs, pollen,dust etc
-Do you have any other illnesses such as diabetes, thyroid disorders? Are you on regular medication for anything?
-HAve you taken any recent new drugs, antibiotics?
-has there been a change in your occupation, residence, any outdoor activities, new pets?
-Do you see an increase or decrease during day or night? Is it brought on by cold/hot showers, weather etc?
-Anyone in the family or close contacts with similar complaints?

Since you have allergies since many years, it is possible that some trigger might have increased the level of allergy cells or chemicals in the body, making you prone to chronic allergies. New allergies may have developed. Hormonal changes, which may also be menopause related could aggravate the problem.
I would advise you to repeat a blood allergy panel, checking your white blood cells and eosinophil counts, serum IgE levels.
Your sugar, thyroid levels, kidney function and liver tests maybe done to rule out these causes.
Allergy panels, skin prick tests for a wider range of allergens maybe repeated.
Chronic allergies like yours need to be controlled and blood levels of allergy need to be reduced. You will need a long term treatment regimen, till it is completely in control, and then slowly reduce the doses.
I would advise you to see an allergy specialist, do the tests as advised and take a more effective long term treatment.
For now, start with an application of calamine and menthol based lotion over the rashes, 2-3 times a day to soothe the itching. Try not to scratch.
You can continue the cetrizine tablets every morning. You may also be advised to switch to a combination of cetrizine+monteleukast for a few weeks, which can control the allergy long term. It will be reduced slowly as advised, and your improvement observed.
For severe itching at night you can add a hydroxyzine tablet.
if the rashes are severe and actively appearing and spreading, a steroid injection would help control it faster.
It is important to note any new trigger factors and avoid them.
There are stronger medications to suppress the allergic reactions but these may not be needed yet. Do consult the allergy specialist and follow the treatment regularly.
Kindly get back to me with the clarifications, so that I can guide you better.
Hope this helps. Take care.
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Dinah Levillard

Dermatologist

Practicing since :2010

Answered : 263 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Chronic Urticaria

Brief Answer: Chronic urticaria. Revert with clarifications. Treat as advised Detailed Answer: Hello ma'am and welcome to HCM I'm Dr Dinah and I'll be answering your questions today. Sorry to hear you are suffering with chronic allergies. Firstly, I would like a few clarifications. -Could you kindly resend the image of your prescription or type it out, as the image received is not complete. It only shows your pills. -When you did the allergy tests, did they test only for food items or for other substances as well? chemicals, drugs, pollen,dust etc -Do you have any other illnesses such as diabetes, thyroid disorders? Are you on regular medication for anything? -HAve you taken any recent new drugs, antibiotics? -has there been a change in your occupation, residence, any outdoor activities, new pets? -Do you see an increase or decrease during day or night? Is it brought on by cold/hot showers, weather etc? -Anyone in the family or close contacts with similar complaints? Since you have allergies since many years, it is possible that some trigger might have increased the level of allergy cells or chemicals in the body, making you prone to chronic allergies. New allergies may have developed. Hormonal changes, which may also be menopause related could aggravate the problem. I would advise you to repeat a blood allergy panel, checking your white blood cells and eosinophil counts, serum IgE levels. Your sugar, thyroid levels, kidney function and liver tests maybe done to rule out these causes. Allergy panels, skin prick tests for a wider range of allergens maybe repeated. Chronic allergies like yours need to be controlled and blood levels of allergy need to be reduced. You will need a long term treatment regimen, till it is completely in control, and then slowly reduce the doses. I would advise you to see an allergy specialist, do the tests as advised and take a more effective long term treatment. For now, start with an application of calamine and menthol based lotion over the rashes, 2-3 times a day to soothe the itching. Try not to scratch. You can continue the cetrizine tablets every morning. You may also be advised to switch to a combination of cetrizine+monteleukast for a few weeks, which can control the allergy long term. It will be reduced slowly as advised, and your improvement observed. For severe itching at night you can add a hydroxyzine tablet. if the rashes are severe and actively appearing and spreading, a steroid injection would help control it faster. It is important to note any new trigger factors and avoid them. There are stronger medications to suppress the allergic reactions but these may not be needed yet. Do consult the allergy specialist and follow the treatment regularly. Kindly get back to me with the clarifications, so that I can guide you better. Hope this helps. Take care.