Dealing With Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria
Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria, also known more commonly as Hives is an allergic reaction to one or more allergens which may never become apparent hence the word idiopathic (reason unknown).
Urticaria-A Quick Description
Symptoms of the condition vary in appearance and size, for example urticaria hives can be round and resemble small bumps or nettle rash, or they manifest as rings or big patches which can resemble ring worm. These swelling or rings often grow and swell into one another, in numerous cases the swelling may grow particularly to the head area, this is often a secondary more serious condition called Angioedema (angioedema is a swelling deeper in the derma or skin). Hives can occur on most parts of the body and in several cases the entire body, however urticaria does not usually affect the palms of the hand or the soles of the feet. The exception to that being pressure or vibratory urticaria.
The term chronic describes the variation of the skin condition which has become ongoing or re-occurring and is usually categorised as chronic after being apparent for a term of two to six weeks. Many chronic urticaria sufferers suffer with the condition for years with daily outbreaks, myself included.
Simple Allergy or Life Altering Condition
It's fair to say the traditional medicine is lagging behind with any sustainable relief for sufferers of chronic idiopathic urticaria, and I guess that's because most people view the condition as nothing more than an allergy.
It is true to say that simple acute cases of urticaria (hives) are indeed a simple allergic reaction, studies indicate that most people will at some time in their life experience symptoms of urticaria, and for such cases a short dose of antihistamine or a quick jab of cortisone will usually do the trick, but not so for chronic urticaria sufferers.
A lifetime of Daily Antihistamine is Not The Answer
Taking Non-sedating antihistamines, including Allegra, Claritin, Clarinex, and Zyrtec, are all well and good for acute symptoms of Urticaria but as explained they offer little or only short term relief for chronic idiopathic sufferers. Having been a long term urticaria sufferer myself is looked high and low for some effective relief and for any of you in the same position you may find some of the following natural methods helpful in relieving your urticaria symptoms:
8 Natural Tips For Treating Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria
- Take a high dose of Vitamin D (use d2), this is the nutrient the skin absorbs through sun light, dosage should be left to the individual, but as a hint I use quite a high dose.
- Reduce swelling by using cold packs or ice packs ( if their straight out of the freezer wrap them in a towel before you place on skin.
- Calamine lotion applied to the area will help some, this tends to be more affective for the smaller more common hives, mine tend to be the rings and deeper swelling so calamine doesn't work that great for me.
- Cats Claw (not a real cat's claw), actually it's a herb or root or something?, anyway you can get it in supplement form, & it does reduce the swelling or at least speeds everything up.
- Herbal teas can be good, even if you just use them instead of your normal tea or coffee when your experiencing an attack of urticaria. I believe the reason is because they contain natural antioxidants. Green tea is also used to reduce swelling (inflammation)
- Vitamin C is often referred to as offering relief to urticaria sufferers, I cant be sure if that's the case but I take it anyway as it can only be a good thing.
- Aloe Vera gel, Peanut or Vitamin E oils are also widely used to offer some relief, if my memory serves me, your supposed to apply your chosen liquid twice daily.
- Keeping a diet sheet is something you should consider, although this isn't technically a hives remedy it can help you distinguish specific allergens which may be the cause of of trigger of your chronic urticaria. Just keep a list of the food and drink you consume over a period which might end at an episode, then you can check back and see which items might be at fault. Try cutting one thing at a time to see if it helps and reduces the frequency of urticaria attacks.
How To Stop Having Urticaria Outbreaks
This is obviously just a small list of natural methods of addressing chronic idiopathic urticaria, without doubt the best outcome for all of us is to not have the constant outbreaks in the first place.. But How.
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