I am experiencing hives and swollen lips... - Allergies Message Board

Katy1000 · 09-20-2008, 04:15 PM

Hello. I just joined this site and hope I am following the correct procedure here. I am amazed at the number of people who are also experiencing hives and swollen lips. I first experienced this suddenly in April 2008. Quite a scary experience. Saw the dermatologist, then an allergist for allergy testing. He found I am "borderline" for glutin sensitivity and definitely allergic to p-phenylenediane (found in permanent hair color). From reading the posts, it sounds like fluctuating hormones can also be a cause (I am peri menopausel and have been taking hormones since May 2008).

I take a Singulair at bedtime and it helps to keep the hives down, though not completely. If I don't take it, I break out within a few days and also my lips swell. I also use hydrocortisone cream on the hives (face, neck, chest and arms), although I know that is not good to use for more than a couple of weeks.

I have seen a gastro doctor who will soon do an upper intestinal biopsy to see if I have celiac disease. I have stopped using hair color.

Does anyone know of anything else I should be right doing now? Thank you.

Titchou · 09-20-2008, 07:16 PM

I'd try Zyrtec instead. It's usually much better for hives.

Mandarra · 09-21-2008, 06:57 AM

Hello Kati,
A couple of years ago this very thing happened to me, out of the blue. I am not allergic to anything so the allergist diagnosed me with idiopathic hives, which means that my body is doing it to itself I guess. In my case it was almost certainly the hormone fluctuations as it happened at 48 and I was experiencing all the peri menopause symptoms. I took antihistamines which worked very well, eventually the hives got less and less and now I'm not on any medication, only occasionally when the hives pop up. I'm glad to hear I'm not alone in this, it is scary, especially when the lips swell, I carry an epi pen, thank goodness I never had to use it. Good luck and I hope you feel better soon.

Mary

Katy1000 · 09-21-2008, 04:27 PM

Thank you to both who replied.

Mandarra, what you said about the hormone fluctuations makes sense to me. I will hope that as my hormones become more stable, this will get better. My doctor also prescribed an epi pen to carry, though I haven't needed it.

Titchou, I have to confess that my doctor's original directions to me were to take 1 Singulair PLUS 1 Xyzal at night. I tried this but when I took both the Singulair and a Xyzal, I was so drowsy the next day I couldn't function.

Isn't Zyrtec the over-the-counter version of Xyzal? Do you know, what is the difference between Singulair and Zyrtec? I will sure give it a try.

Meleiseya · 03-23-2010, 06:24 AM

Zyrtec is awesome! I have the worst allergies! I am allergic to everything besides cat, dog, lambs quarters and alternara. My doctor gave me zyrtec a couple years ago and it worked awesome!