Question:
I have had hives since mid-April. No change in soap, detergent, eating
habits, no change in my work environment that I know of. They just
mysteriously appeared. Fortunately, Claritin seems to control the worst
of it, so I'm not miserably suffering. However, I am wondering if
emotional stress (even "good stress") could have precipitated the hives
I'm not under any stress now, but the hives persist. I notice that they
tend to show up more on hot days and also in response to pressure (such as
carrying plastic grocery bags, they come out on my hands, or on my arms if
the bag is looped over my arm; or carrying books cradled against my arm;
or gripping the handles on my bike). I also find that many times, my
hives are "symmetrical" (I will get an outbreak on one area of my left
hand, for example, and at the same time get a similar outbreak on the same
part of my right hand -- not identical, but similar). In the beginning
they were more "symmetrical," now they aren't so much.
I'm considering food-allergy testing (elimination diet, etc) but I was
just curious if emotional stress (i.e., the surprise of happy news, not
just bad stress!) has ever been thought to be a contributing factor to the
appearance of chronic hives. Weird question I know, but just curious.
Answer:
Hives or urticaria can be a bona fide allergy.
Emotional stress can cause hives, along with a host of other
things including heat, pressure, food allergies.
Occasionally, stress is implicated in an acute epidode of hives; but
stress would be very unlikely cause of the chronic condition that you
describe. (Chronic is usually defined as 3 weeks or longer.)
Many types of hives are exacerbated by various physical factors, and
sometimes are primarily related to physical factors. These include heat
and pressure. Most people with hives get worse with heat. BTW, there's
another kind of hives that is brought on by cold, such as swimming in cold
water.
Food allergies sometimes cause acute hives, but not often chronic hives.
The usual hive reactionm to foods occurs quickly, so people usually have a
strong suspicion. For example, someone allergic to shellfish is likely to
break out while still at the dinner table.
Often if hives are suppressed (e.g., with antihistamines), they eventually
will go away, but it may take many months; and it may come back.
Often, trying to find a specific cause of chronic hives is like looking
for a needle in a haystack. But, it may be worth looking into. Even though
most types of chronic hives are not due to allergy, allergists are the
Gee Jeff, you sound so much like me - I've just spent a month in hell,
with hives on my eyelids and the horrible "allergy eyes", too. After
suffering 3 weeks, went to my allergist. They Rx'd Prednisone (5 days,
45 mg. a day) and Hydroxizine (mild tranquilizer), this worked great,
tho side effects from the Prednisone. I then had 3 good days, felt
wonderful, then the eyelids started itching and breaking out, also then
got hives on chest, shoulders and back (right after cool showers) ugh!!
Called allergist back, he represcribed Prednisone, but said see your
dermatologist. OK, didn't take the Prednisone, as wanted to have
symptoms for allergist. She said no to the second dose of Prednisone,
and Rx'd a histamine blocker which blocks H2 (in addition to my usual
Zyrtec which blocks H1). Seems to be helping, slowly. Not looking at
the bottle, but think this new blocker is Climatrene, or something
similar.
Stress: Yes, she believes mine are due to stress, completely. Have had
serious problems with my dysfunctional family, have a son getting
married on 9/12, so dealing with all that needs to be done, etc.
Well, hope this helps you - I can really sympathize - but most people
don't (I've found). My kids think "allergies, hives, big deal, it's not
like mom's sick". Little do they know. I've had 2 babies and surgery 5
times and this is worse than all of that!!!
