Chronic urticaria (hives)

[Little Chicken]

I just wondering if anyone out there in BB land has had chronic urticaria whilst they were pregnant? Mine started before I became pregnant with number 2 (started as urticarial vasculitis) and hasn't really got any better, in fact it has become worse whilst I have been pregnant. I have to take an antihistamine every 2nd day otherwise I just itch. I used to be able to take one every three days. Does anyone have anything that worked well for them or even found out what caused it?

Thanks in advance.

[Pandora]

Talk to your care provider, i think phenurgen would be OK as its used for morning sickness so should be safeish to take?

[LionsandBears]

sorry you're dealing with this - it's dreadful

I got urticaria a few weeks ago. I took Polaramine every 6 hours for a few days, then extended the time between doses. Wasn't happy with taking the drugs, but the itching was awful. My GP told me is the Polaramine didn't work, to take phenergen, though that can increase blood sugar.

I also went to my naturopath and she gave me some drops and some cream. I'm now off the Polaramine and reduced the cream and only take the drops when I get a bit of an itch.

Mine wasn't chronic though. It started as a weird kind of sunburn, but we think it may have been triggered by orange juice (as I'd started drinking that the week it developed). So it may be related to something you're eating/drinking. Or it just might be baby. I still stay out of the sun/heat, as that makes it worse

[Little Chicken]

Thanks tashybabe. I'm taking zyrtec at the moment and have done for 6 months. I'm not an outdoor person so can stay out of the sun but the heat isn't easy to avoid where I live!

[AnyDream]

Muminalice, do consider going to see a dermatologist/allergy specialist for a review.

[Little Chicken]

Marydean I have seen a dermatologist last october and not a lot they can do apparantly except steroids.

[AnyDream]

Good, just so long as you've had it checked out - there are some nastier conditions that show up looking like hives so good to have that ruled out. I hope you find something that can control it more effectively - sounds nasty.

[e_p]

I'm not pg but I get terrible hives when I eat a lot of wheat - I scratch like a crazy woman and my DH jokes that I should join the 'hivey league'

I always have a cold shower...put ice directly on the the hives, use some topical dermaid (just the over the counter one...I think 1.5% cortisone? not sure if its safe to use while pregnant) and half a periactin (also over the counter, also not sure if its safe while pg...a friend of mine was prescribed it for dermatitis when she was breastfeeding her newborn and bubs started to have breathing difficulties within an hour or two of feeding after she had taken it). My mum also gives me homeopathic drops called 'ledum' if I'm visiting her which I find pretty helpful for urticaria and bites etc - things that itch!

Good luck!!