I have had hives for the last 7 months, and have been told it goes along with a hypoactive thyroid gland by one doctor, and then told by a endocrinologist that my thyroid insufficiency has nothing to do with chronic hives. I found this forum after reading the Cholinergic Urticaria book.
The problem is, the author states cholinergic urticaria is tiny pin prick sized welts that can grow as big as a pencil eraser head. My hives are giant and spread across my neck and chest and up my jaw to my face.
The doctor told me to take Zyrtec, Zantac, and selenium every 12 hours. This is the formula for thyroiditis but does nothing to get rid of the hives. Anybody else having this trouble?
Help, I’m scratching myself to death (and no I don’t sweat). Should I try to find a different doctor that specializes in allergies?
Thanks,
Mary
Hivesguy says
Hello, Mary.
Sorry to hear of your hives issues. The appearance of cholinergic urticaria can vary from person to person. For some people, they get hundreds of small pinpoint hives. Some only get red (flushed) skin. Others may have larger hives. Also, some people have two concurrent urticaria types (ie: cold and cholinergic urticaria) or other allergy conditions. The biggest thing to look for in cholinergic urticaria is that it follows an increase in body temperature that would otherwise provoke a sweat response, regardless of whether the heat source is active or passive heating.
For a proper diagnosis, you might want to visit a dermatologist or allergist who is familiar with the different urticaria types.
Lisa says
An allergist diagnosed my son with his cholinergic urticaria. He takes 2 Zyrtec daily and carries a damp cool sports towel/cloth to wipe himself if he gets hot. Sometimes he takes hydroxyzine in addition if he wants to work out. That’s what works for him. He has had this condition for one year and two months. He is 21.