Can anyone help? I've had chronic urticaria (hvies) for almost 5 mos, only appears at night. Possible causes?

I know where you're coming from. My urticaria tends to get worse at night sometimes too. It tends to happen when I get hot. Or if the sheets feel dirty.

I have had chronic urticaria as long as I can remember (I'm 20) My allergist couldn't even do an allergy test on me because just being poked, even without an allergen on the needle, caused me to break out. I have been taking ranitidine and singulair for the past year, and it has been helping, although it has not cured it. Try taking benedryl before you go to bed. It is a anti-histamine, which will help the hives, and it will make you sleepy also. I wouldn't recommend doing that long-term though. I only do it when I am absolutely desperate for sleep. If you are allergic to any foods, it could just take a while for your system to react to it, so watch what you eat for dinner, or go on a elimination diet if you strongly think that food is the cause. I was told that a chemical in tomatos can make allergic reactions worse, so while they may not cause a reaction, if you have a reaction while that is in your system it could make it worse. If you have anymore questions or would just like to talk to someone with the same problem, then you can e-mail me or message me at amy_edrington@yahoo.com Best of luck

My husband experienced the same problem a couple of years ago. He woke up every morning covered in hives. I would apply Calomine lotion to the welts. I changed everything I could think of. Used different detergent, bought new sheets... changed soaps. Everyday about noon time they would just fade away. Nothing worked. It lasted a few months, then just stopped!! No more hives. We asked our family Dr. and he couldn't explain it either... It has been over a year now and he hasn't had any other episodes. I guess we'll never know the cause... I still keep the Calomine lotion in the closet just in case!!

It may be stress. Have you tried changing your detergent or washing your sheets on your bed? Maybe there is an allergen in your house and you may have to get one of those air purifiers. These are pretty much blanket suggestions. I can't really offer anything more unless I knew what you were allergic to. Since you only get them at night I would argue it's something in your house that you're probably getting exposed to and don't know it, but don't rule out stress as causing hives. Do you work out? If you do, do you allow the sweat to stay on your skin or are you continuously wiping it off? If I don't continuously wipe the sweat off when I work out, I tend to break into hives (I say I'm allergic to myself). I broke out into hives really bad once, and the doctors couldn't find anything I was allergic to. The only thing I noticed was the hives seemed to be worse where sweat could stay on my skin (under a watch, for example). I always towel myself off (and I don't really sweat that much, but even a little "glisten" would be enough for me) several times during a workout, I don't wear a watch anymore. Maybe your skin just needs to breathe.

sounds similar to something I had several years ago. full body hives!!! i know how you feel -it's enough to make you INSANE. Unfortunately, there was nothing they found for me, either. I had to let it ride it's course. The doctors said it is most likely stress related - your body can phsyically manifest stress in conditions like this. (FYI I didn't think I was under any more stress than usual!!!) I hope you find a better answer!!!!

There might be an allegen in your bedding (pillow, sheets, comforter, etc.). You should wash those thoroughly with just water (you're not allergic to water, right?), then try again, or maybe just get new sheets or something.

I am curious, do you bleach your bedding? are they white sheets and perhaps most of your clothes are colored so, not bleached? My son got eczema in the hospital from the bleached bedding.

Have you tried sleeping in a different place? Could be something in your bedroom.

I read the later part of your concern where you say that you are spending lot of money buying Zyrtec. Get it online from where I buy mine. Here is the link

http://www.abconlinepharmacy.com/ns/customer/home....

what about your laundry detergent you use for the sheets you sleep on at night

maybe the handsome prince charming should climb to the highest room of the talles tower and give you loves first kiss....to break the dreaded curse.