Cholinergic Urticaria

Possible help to alleviate hives (nettle capsules)

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Nineteen years ago, I had an episode of chronic hives. They have just appeared again, and while searching for solutions, I found this forum. I thought I’d share past experience.

Similar to many of you I tried various doctors and did acupuncture , Chinese herbs, allergy meds, Prednisone, etc. (which sometimes gave temporary relief, but hives continued to cover my body). After 6 months, my hives were becoming not only itchy but painful.

Elimination diets helped a little but it seemed that just eating itself set them off no matter how careful I was. I also suffered the occasional swelling of mouth and eyes which was the scariest part. I finally went to a blood specialist who found my blood was high in copper ( I’m a decorative painter and had been working with metallic powders before the hives started), but could not tell me whether this was causing the problem.

I then started taking freeze dried Nettle capsules (my husband by chance read they were good for allergy symptoms), and miraculously within a week the hives had gone and did not reappear except once years later (when again I was using metallic powders). I again took the nettles and they went away. It was astounding and what a relief….. and I could eat everything again!

This new outbreak is puzzling. I’m taking nettles and they are helping but at night the hives appear, though as yet very minor. I’m being careful with eating and no alcohol as I wondered if there is a kidney connection.

Hope this encourages people to be their own health detectives.

-Mel

Comments

  1. Mel,
    Thanks for taking the time to share your experience with everyone. That’s interesting about the high copper levels and hives association. I do recall reading one instance for cholinergic urticarial, in which a person was reacting to a copper IUD device. Upon removal, their hives ceased.

    Sorry to hear you’re still struggling, and I hope you find a solution again soon.

  2. Are you taking any supplements or herbs that could contribute to high copper levels? I believe there is also a relationship between copper levels and zinc and also perhaps molybdenum. I am not suggesting a multi vitamin, but perhaps one could play a role one way or the other. Usually better to pare off anything going into the mouth and skin except tolerated foods and simple skin cleansers while searching for a correlation with symptoms. Yes, interesting about the nettle….maybe similar to using saunas etc as a stimulant.

    • It was 19 years ago that copper levels in my blood were high. Blood specialist had wanted to know what to test for and as Id been working with bronze powder before hives started, i suggested to test for copper.
      I was not taking any supplements at the time. I read that also some people just naturally have higher copper levels. Currently I’m just taking spirulina along with the nettles as a general health boost.
      This outbreak is quite different. Then the hives would start appearing during the day, especially bad in the evening when spots became huge continents, then completely gone by morning. Now they just appearing in the evening and are there in the morning, disappearing as the day wears on.
      Yes nettles very interesting, I know they are good for the blood. Have not tried eating the plant or drinking the tea.

  3. I found out I have high unbound copper levels through hair analysis. My hives have gotten progressively worse through the years especially when stressed. Is there a brand of nettles that you found effective? I’m desperate for relief.

    • Hi Denise,
      Natures Way Nettle leaf were the capsules I took. This time I got some Whole Foods brand which I dont think were as effective……( though its hard to tell as there are other variables). I started taking vitamin D as well and things improved, and drinking more water. Thought I might be clear of it at the new year but after a few hive free days am still getting a small reaction after the evening meal , though not every day. A couple of Hylands Hives tablets ( a homeopathic remedy ) if I feel it coming on and it fades and nothing lingering in the morning. If things continue like this I guess I should try an elimination diet.
      Hope you get some relief.

      • Hi Mel — Any chance you bought a new mattress or topper, or are using detergent/fabric softener for the bedsheets that you might be allergic to? I heard that some of us are allergic to the chemicals used in making them.