Hi,

Thanks for writing in.

The symptoms you are describing can be due to Urticaria .If it is of more than 6 months duration it is called chronic Urticaria.

Its cause needs to be investigated . You should undergo a basic blood workup like
Complete blood count, absolute eosinophil count, Liver kidney function test and thyroid function test.
Apart from this some persons have allergy to particular foods.If that specific food are eliminated from diet,the itching usually stops.Most common foods to which allergy is detected are brinjal,tomato,pulses,banana, artificial colors, sweeteners,preservatives,bakery products like bread,paav,cake milk ,eggs etc.

Do you have allergy to any of these?
Do you have any other disease like diabetes/thyroid?
Are you on any other drugs?


Allegra contains Fexofenadine and Lorfast contains Loratadine it is an antihistamine drug used to treat allergies, and marketed for its non-sedating properties.
You can take sedative antihistaminic like hydroxyzine in night (tab PRU 25mg) in night time .In day time you can take non sedative antihistaminic like ALLEGRA 180 or XXXXXXX 10 mg.

Also a short course of low dose oral steroids will be helpful in your case to cover the extreme itching.Also the antihistaminic drugs should be taken for 3 months continuously to deplete the production of histamine in the body.Histamine is the biochemical in body which causes itching.Once a full course is taken its level will go down and the dose of antihistaminic can be tapered slowly.

Please answer the above questions to help you better.
I will be available for follow up.

Anticipating your response.

Regards
DrSudarshan
MD Dermatology

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Hi again,

Thanks for the details.

You need to do a thyroid function test (T3,T4,TSH).Also you might need to undergo Allergy test to detect the substance you are allergic to .

Also hydroxyzine (is tab. PRU 25mg) in night time .In day time you can take non sedative antihistaminic like ALLEGRA (180mg) or XXXXXXX 10 mg 1 tab in morning .
Loratidine (is ALASPAN 10mg) is also to be taken in morning.You can take 1 tablet in morning and PRU at night for 1 month continuously.

Steroids are prescription drugs are to be taken under supervision of dermatologist only.If you are comfortable with above mentioned antihistaminics then steroids will not be necessary.

Autologus serum therapy and immunotherapy are the new options and are available at dermatology clinics.These are useful when urticaria is not responding to general treatment.

Hope this helps.

Regards.
DrSudarshan
Dermatologist

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