Is there a cure for Chronic Urticaria?

I graduated in 2001 and shortly after I came I started itching really bad and breaking out in hives. My face, eyes and lip constantly swelled.

I went to the doctor and he told me not to eat, drink or take any medication for 2 days and come back for an allergy test. I did that and came back and was still swollen, itchy and broken out in hives, I was told since I was broken out that he could not do the test and that I had Chronic Urticaria and that there was no cure.

For 13 months I suffered. Anti-histamines became ineffective: I literally itched for 13 months. The only way I got sleep was when I became too tired to scratch. I woke up when I was itching too bad to stay asleep. I broke my skin often and was rushed to the hospital twice because my face and throat swelled. I was given an epi pen.

One day they disappeared just as mysteriously as they came. I was Urticaria free for 5 years and now they are back. Any suggestions on what to do. I made an apptmt w/a dr. afraid of no cure.

Hi there. Sorry to hear you have hives. I also have hives, and like you, they began the year I graduated, then disappeared for about five years, before coming back again two years ago.
The bad news is that there doesn't seem to be any kind of cure for CU. The good news is that you can sometimes keep the symptoms under control by finding the right combination of drugs. I find that a combination of cetirizine and ranatidine keep my hives under control a lot of the time - although they do sometimes just 'stop' working for a couple of months and I get really really bad hives, which is a nightmare. You should at least be able to keep the itching under control with the correct drugs, even if the hives themselves don't disappear.

I would suggest that you join the yahoo discussion group - International Chronic Urticaria Society. This is a place where people from all over the world share advice and tips about having CU. The moderators are really knowledgeable and you can find out a lot about what you have and how to keep it under control. Some people even find cures (although most don't).

Hope that helps.

hmmm..............well first off you need a new allergy referal. You can be tested if you are on antihistamines such as Zyrtec just not Benadryl. Only have to be off them like 3 days at the more advanced Dr's for skin testing. Prednisone is ok too.

There is also blood testing (IgE antibodies, etc) which is less time consuming. Don't know the protocol for that though. Check with your insurance to see if they will pay - you will prob have to at least try the skin testing first.

There is also Homeopathic meds which can help. Urtica Urens (may not be spelled properly) and others. I have read that it can really help with chronic hives. Check out 1-800 homeopathy as a start.

Journaling might help you pinpoint as well since this can be stress and lifestyle related.

Hope that helps!