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Suggest Treatment For Chronic Urticaria
Question: i have a skin condition,my skin stings it starts out as if i m being bitten by an ant it is hard to explain it is a stinging biting feeling sometimes my skin looks like red goose bumps i have had this for about 5 years have been to 2 dermatolgist one offered cream the other blood presser tablets to no avail this skin condition started after i was changed from lopator to crestor was taken off crestor for about 2 mth no change the sensati0n is excruciating (driving me nuts) it's on my arms legs mostly but also top half of back front of chest. cool air seems to settle it down after a while it started happening after showering so i stopped using soap no change, it also happens at any time of the day and more so at night
Brief Answer:
Chronic Urticaria
Detailed Answer:
Hello and Welcome
I appreciate your concern
Based on your description , the condition is most likely Chronic urticarial. Low dose non sedating anti histamines e.g Loratidine and levocetirizine should be started and continued for at least 3 months. Leukotriene antagonists , Systemic corticosteroids and other immune suppressants can be added if response to anti histamines is inadequate.
Omalizumab subcutaneous injection is a recent FDA approved drug for cases of urticaria resistant to antihistamine therapy.
Complete blood count (CBC) with differential should be done to look for elevated eosinophills in case of drug reaction and/or parasitic infestrations. Examination of the stool for ova and parasites may also be done.
Thyroid function tests and thyroid microsomal and peroxidase antibody titers in Patients with urticaria unresponsive to antihistamines or steroids should be done as if elevated titers are present, levothyroxine can be helpful in such cases in reducing the urticarial.
Please keep in mind that there are other numerous causes and correlations of such resistant chronic urticarial including Urticarial vasculitis, Hep B and C associated cryoglobulinemia etc and would require an extensive workup based on the clinical directions of your history and physical.
Please consult your doctor before taking any medication.
wishing you best of health
thanks
Dr. M.S. Khalil
Chronic Urticaria
Detailed Answer:
Hello and Welcome
I appreciate your concern
Based on your description , the condition is most likely Chronic urticarial. Low dose non sedating anti histamines e.g Loratidine and levocetirizine should be started and continued for at least 3 months. Leukotriene antagonists , Systemic corticosteroids and other immune suppressants can be added if response to anti histamines is inadequate.
Omalizumab subcutaneous injection is a recent FDA approved drug for cases of urticaria resistant to antihistamine therapy.
Complete blood count (CBC) with differential should be done to look for elevated eosinophills in case of drug reaction and/or parasitic infestrations. Examination of the stool for ova and parasites may also be done.
Thyroid function tests and thyroid microsomal and peroxidase antibody titers in Patients with urticaria unresponsive to antihistamines or steroids should be done as if elevated titers are present, levothyroxine can be helpful in such cases in reducing the urticarial.
Please keep in mind that there are other numerous causes and correlations of such resistant chronic urticarial including Urticarial vasculitis, Hep B and C associated cryoglobulinemia etc and would require an extensive workup based on the clinical directions of your history and physical.
Please consult your doctor before taking any medication.
wishing you best of health
thanks
Dr. M.S. Khalil
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
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