Does anyone else live with chronic idiopathic urticaria? Aka Chronic Hives.

It’s been 6+ years since my first episode. It’s hard to pinpoint what is causing it because there are multiple triggers.

Heat, cold, sweating, extreme emotions such as anxiety.

I can’t take a simple shower without the hives, can’t do anything that might make me sweat even a little. ( examples are running a vacuum, taking a walk outside ) or if the temperature is too warm, on the cooler side with a slight breeze.

Sometimes if I eat something cold like icecream my lips go tingly numb or hold something cold like a gallon of milk.

The hives differ whether I’m hot or cold.

Exercising is the worst. If I break out really bad, my heart rate is affected and I’ll feel very ill and have to lay down.

The only thing that helps is Benadryl but I can’t take it because I have to be functioning. I’ve tried other allergy medication but to no luck.

I’ve tried Prednisone but can’t be on it for long periods of time.

It’s just difficult to deal with sometimes because having to limit so much already is frustrating.

Like who wants to get hives just walking in the freezer section of the grocery store just to get itchy because the cold air can be felt when walking by the products. 🤦🏼‍♀️