Treatment of chronic idiopathic urticaria
Chronic idiopathic urticaria, also more commonly known as urticaria, is an allergic reaction to one or more allergens that may never manifest itself, hence the word idiopathic (reason unknown).
Urticaria-A Quick Overview
Symptoms of the condition vary in appearance and size, for example hives can be round and resemble small bumps or nettle rashes, or manifest as rings or large patches that can resemble ringworm. These swellings or rings often grow and swell together, in numerous cases the swelling can grow particularly in the head area, this is often a more serious secondary condition called angioedema (angioedema is swelling deeper in the dermis or the skin). Hives can occur over most of the body and in several cases over the entire body, however hives do not usually affect the palms of the hands or the soles of the feet. The exception to that is pressure or vibration urticaria.
The term chronic describes variation in skin condition that has become continuous or recurring and is generally classified as chronic after being evident over a period of two to six weeks. Many chronic urticaria sufferers suffer from the condition for years with daily flare-ups, myself included.
Simple allergy or life-altering condition
It’s fair to say that traditional medicine is lagging behind any sustainable relief for chronic idiopathic urticaria sufferers, and I’m guessing that’s because most people see the condition as nothing more than an allergy.
It is true that simple acute cases of hives (hives) are in fact a simple allergic reaction, studies indicate that most people at some point in their lives will experience symptoms of hives, and for such cases a short dose of antihistamine or a quick cortisone shot is usually enough, but not for chronic hives sufferers.
A lifetime of daily antihistamine is not the answer
Taking non-sedating antihistamines, including Allegra, Claritin, Clarinex, and Zyrtec, are fine for the acute symptoms of urticaria, but as explained, they offer little or only short-term relief for chronic idiopathic patients. Having been a long-term sufferer of hives, effective relief is sought and for any of you in the same position, you may find some of the following natural methods helpful in relieving hives symptoms:
8 Natural Tips to Treat Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria
- Take a high dose of vitamin D (use d2), this is the nutrient the skin absorbs through sunlight, the dose should be left to the person, but as a suggestion, I use a fairly high dose.
- Reduce swelling by using cold compresses or ice packs (if fresh from the freezer, wrap in a towel before placing on skin).
- Calamine lotion applied to the area will help a bit, this tends to be more effective for smaller more common hives, mine tends to be the rings and deeper swelling so calamine doesn’t work as well for me .
- Cat’s claw (not real cat’s claw), it’s actually a herb or a root or something. You can get it in supplement form anyway, and it reduces bloating or at least speeds everything up.
- Herbal teas can be good, even if you just use them instead of your normal tea or coffee when you experience a bout of hives. I think the reason is because they contain natural antioxidants. Green tea is also used to reduce swelling.
- Vitamin c is often said to offer relief to hives sufferers, i cannot be sure if that is the case but i take it anyway as it can only be a good thing.
- Aloe vera gel, peanut or vitamin E oils are also widely used to offer some relief, if memory serves you are supposed to apply your chosen liquid twice a day.
- Keeping a diet sheet is something to consider, although it’s not technically a remedy for hives, it can help you distinguish specific allergens that may be the cause of the trigger for your chronic hives. Just keep a list of the food and drinks you consume over a period that could end in an episode, then you can check back and see which items may be at fault. Try cutting one thing at a time to see if it helps and reduces the frequency of hives.
How to stop having hives breakouts
Obviously, this is just a small list of natural methods to treat chronic idiopathic urticaria, without a doubt, the best outcome for all of us is not having the constant outbreaks in the first place… But how?