I’m 21 years old, female, and returned from an internship in America in July. As I lived in the southern part of America for a few months, I was used to the high humidity and noticed I sweat easily over there. When I returned in July, I started (not sure why) taking acidophilus tablets, which is a probiotic and helps combat an excess of yeast in the digestive system. I was taking them for roughly about three weeks, and then I stopped them suddenly altogether (again, not sure why).
I suddenly developed CU one day. I was out running and afterwards I would notice bubbly skin on my arms. I ran three more times after this and it gradually escalated – arms, back, chest, stomach – except for lower body. I stopped running after August 8th when that severe breakout happened. I visited the doctor and he was quite astonished when I showed him the pictures of my reaction. He prescribed me the highest dosage of Telfast, but I’m a strong believer in letting your body sort its own self out. I feel antihistamines mask the problem, rather than combatting it head first.
I’m probably rambling a bit, but please bear with me. The month I went to America, I had to come off the contraceptive pill which I was on for 2 and a half years. Late August, I decided to go on it again; however, I noticed hair loss and I decided to come off after two short months. During those two months, I was at my best friend’s hen night, happily dancing in quite a hot, stuffy club, walking profusely around the shops in London, and I also attended a concert which was crazily hot, too. I never got hives during these moments. I didn’t run or heavily exercise during these two months as I was scared about the reaction.
Since I came off the pill, my hair loss hasn’t stopped, and I’m developing back and chest acne; however, I’ve noticed my hives have worsened. I noticed this when I walked to uni, my stomach would feel tingly and it would have red rashes all across it (although not any hives). I danced around the house (like a 21-year-old girl does) to three songs, and my arms and stomach broke out. One time a few weeks back, I burnt some toast, the fire alarm went off and I got embarrassed. Hives broke out over my arms. Prank call – panicked – hives and red stomach.
My friend who studied biology suggested that all these occurrences could be linked to adrenaline; therefore the adrenal gland. This could signal a hormone imbalance, especially if I’ve been on and off the pill the past 6 months. I’m also questioning these acidophilus tablets. I stopped them so suddenly that maybe my body started to get an overgrowth of yeast.
I’m desperate to find a cure for this, as does everyone who suffers with it. I’ve read some posts on here which have scared the living daylights out of me, and I touch wood that this condition doesn’t go worse for me. I blogged three weeks ago about going on an alkaline diet; however, this did not work for me.
Does this condition usually appear more in males than females? I have an appointment with my doctor next week and I’m hoping he takes the time to understand my situation again and refer me to an allergist or test for a hormone imbalance.
Thanks for taking the time to read this,
Lauren
The post above was submitted by a reader.
Jason says
To the 21 year old female. In much agreement I was in Florida for ten months. I didn’t get a single episode of the itching, moving back to Utah though epsidodes can within weeks. I use to think I was allergic to dust or certain allergens, but realizing going into hotter places had me have episodes half of the time.
Hivesguy says
Lauren,
Sorry to hear of your problems with hives. The first thing about your post that stood out to me was contraceptive pill. Contraceptive pills often consist of hormones that prevent a female’s body from becoming pregnant. I would be suspicious about it considering the hair loss and other symptoms you described. Hormonal changes can greatly impact the human body–women sometimes even develop new allergies, hives, and all sorts of things during pregnancy due to the hormonal changes.
Aside from that, changing climates can also initiate an attack. Most people probably see symptoms during winter (that’s when I first noticed mine). Some people with cholinergic urticaria experience symptoms only during cold, dry months (not during summer).
It’s difficult to say exactly what caused your symptoms, but the acne and hair loss could be related to hormone changes. In addition, my wife once had minor hair loss after giving birth, and she was low on Vitamin D. After taking some, her hair immediately grew back.
I hope that helps, and I hope your hives go away soon.
Lauren says
Dear HivesGuy,
Thank you for responding – I can imagine you want to put this condition behind you now that you have treated it yourself, so I appreciate the reply.
I read on a website yesterday that when women are on the pill and suddenly come off it, the body goes into a state of flux where it doesn’t know how to produce the hormones independently. Sometimes they never do. It’s made me realise just how bad the pill can be; nevertheless, i do think in this instance my hives could be due to an hormonal imbalance. I remember reading a post on here about hormonal imbalance / adrenal gland and I’m assuming, as they haven’t posted since, that they’ve cured it through that.
You mentioned vitamin D. This makes me think that because the UK hardly get a decent summer, my body was getting a lot of Vit D in America. Once I returned to England, the Vit D levels dramatically dropped. But I’m positive it isn’t just a vitamin D deficiency.
I really hope this doesn’t get worse, and I really hope I find what is causing my hives so I can share it with you all.
I will be sure to keep you all updated.
Hivesguy says
That is interesting about pill causing all that when stopped abruptly. I certainly hope that if it is the cause, it can be corrected. If it isn’t, then I certainly hope you can find some tips on this site to help you manage the hives.
Definitely keep us updated, and I hope you get it resolved soon.