ask: I have had chronic hives and intermittent episodes of angioedema for 18 months. Any ideas to get rid of this

Hi Anon

Thanks for your question and welcome!

Chronic hives can have many causes. Included in these causes are:
Hives are often caused when the body releases a chemical called histamine. Histamine is released during an allergic reaction. Many people, though, get hives without being exposed to something they are allergic to.

While the cause is unknown in some cases, these factors may cause hives:
■Foods , most commonly: ◦Eggs
◦Shellfish
◦Nuts
◦Chocolate
◦Fish
◦Tomatoes
◦Fresh berries
◦Milk

■Medications
■ Reaction to allergy shots (desensitization shots)
■Infections
■Insect bites or stings
■Latex
■Pressure
■Cold or heat
■Sunlight
■ Thyroid disease ( hypothyroidism , hyperthyroidism )
■Pollen
■Stress
■Vasculitis (inflammation of the blood vessels)
Treatment

The best way to treat hives is to find and then avoid the cause.

If the cause can't be found, there are medications to treat hives:
■◦Diphenhydramine (eg, Aler-Cap, Benadryl Allergy)
◦Hydroxyzine (Vistaril)
◦Cyproheptadine (no brand name)
◦Fexofenadine (Allegra)
◦Loratadine (Claritin)
◦Acrivastine (Semprex)
◦Cetirizine (Zyrtec)
◦Doxepin (Prudoxin, Sinequan, Zonalon)
◦Levocetirizine (Xyzal)

■ H2 blocking medications such as: ◦Cimetidine (Tagamet HB)
◦Ranitidine (Zantac)
◦Famotidine (Pepcid)

■Anti-inflammatory medications
■Steroid skin creams
■ Oral steroid medications ( prednisone ) for hives resistant to other treatments
■Ultraviolet light therapy
■ Prescription epinephrine (adrenalin) injections for cases when swelling affects the airways

For more information, click here: http://www.empowher.com/media/reference/hives

Angioedema is often linked with hives, as I am sure you know. For causes, treatments and articles, click here: http://www.empowher.com/condition/angioedema

Anon, have you changed your diet in the last 18 months or do you have new stress in your life? Please let us know if the above information has helped you!
Best,
~Susan