10/27/2000

Readers Comment about Hives

Several readers responded to the recent column about chronic hives, a condition called chronic urticaria (CU). I spoke with a physician who told me that some of the cases she has seen have been caused by hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid gland) and patients have responded successfully to treatment of the underlying condition. Hives can be a symptom of a variety of conditions, so it is important to work closely with a physician to help determine a cause.

Reader comments:

I noticed that a number of your letters alluded to MDs not listening; sometimes that sadly is the case, but not often.

MD's DO have big problems with Chronic Urticaria, and sometimes there is no diagnosis, although I wonder on a rare patient of my own if it's just that I haven't been smart enough to discover why -- because, of course, there ALWAYS is a cause.

My point tonight is that NOT ALL antihistamines cause drowsiness. You mention two antihistamines: Atarax, and an atarax derivative, Zyrtec, which RARELY cause drowsiness. You never say "never" in the medicine game. There are also a number of other good products, too.

Chronic hives are a big inconvenience. Very frequently, steroids really do cause more problems than solutions.

New Haven and the surrounding towns are full of a number of really smart MDs who can make a very real difference without causing more problems than they cure. Some of the details of your "horror stories" aren't totally true. -- Concerned physician

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My 12-year-old started with hives last March; lots of tests and medications later, we still have no answers, just fears. He has had two episodes which involved his airways: in the first, his throat swelled from angioedema and in the second, the hives set off bronchospasms. We now have an epipen at school and at home. We're renovating the house in the hopes that old leaks that left mold and mildew inside the walls may be a big part of the problem. A newly developed allergy to the dogs means building a kennel with outside housing, getting rid of the existing furniture and ripping out the rug.

Although we have no answers, no clues, no means of stopping this completely, the doctor thinks that it should all clear up in a couple years. And hopefully we will be able to find a combination of medications that will keep him reasonably comfortable.

I sent an email to the woman whose letter you published. Perhaps I'll be able to contribute to publicizing this awful stuff. -- New allergies ... perhaps

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I used to be a victim of hives. It started when I was in the 3rd grade. Without any other symptoms, one morning my thighs were covered with hives. After a lot of questioning from my parents they discovered that I had a test in school that I was worried about. That was the beginning.

Hives continued to appear throughout my childhood and into my adult life for the same type of reasons.all stress related. Sometimes I am covered with them and other times I'll have one huge one on an eyelid or lip. As a child I was given Valium and as an adult I've taken Xanax. Both are effective for me. Please understand that I am never aware that I am feeling stressed when hives appear, but my body seems to know I'm stressing whether I like it or not! -- For me, stress leads to hives ... sometimes.

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Please send questions or comments to bbruno@snet.net.