Urticaria

I went to an allergist because I thought I had a food allergy. I had been getting strange looking hives and itching nightly for years - it started out as a little annoying, but this past year it had gotten much worse. I knew it was time to get it checked out. To my surprise, the allergist talked to me and realized almost immediately that I had Urticaria, since I have had Crohn's Disease for 35 years and have been on and off steriods so much. She knew that it was an autoimmune disease, as is Crohn's. All I have to do is take one Fexofenadine nightly and I'm fine. If I don't take the Fex. by 9pm, I start itching again. Autoimmune diseases are wicked - and it seems I develop a new one every few years.

I'm not sure I understand your question. Uticaria is defined at an allergic reaction to something that causes hives and itching. Chronic Uticaria is long term hives and itching with no known cause or unknown cause.

And yes, I have to agree...autoimmune diseases are crazy! Every year I get something new as well.

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SHERRY
Moderator-Allergies/Asthma and Alzheimer's, Co-moderator-UC
current status: REMISSION-YAY!
~Left sided Uc-'92**Unable to tolerate ALL mesalamines**
Colazal(9 daily)/6mp(25mgs), Allopurinol (100mgs)/Bentyl-Prilosec~allergies-Singulair/Zyrtec~Reynauds Syndrome~OA-Tylonel Arthritis/Celebrex~Scoliosis~Sacroilitis~Dry eye-Restasis/GAD - Klonopin (.25mgs)

By "more than hives and itching" - I mean that my allergist said it could escalate to swollen throat, swollen eyelids - very severe stuff. I was wondering if anyone with Urticaria has experienced these symptoms. The doc also said that people with autoimmune disease often suffer from acid reflux.  

Weals from Uticaria can result in swollen eyelids, lips etc caused by allergic reactions or non-allergic reactions, but there is no way of telling whether or not it can or will get to that point. Not everyone with Uticaria will have the Angioedema sometimes associated with Uticaria. It's the (un)luck of the draw unfortunately. Some people may just have it mild with mild itching while others can have it severe. It mainly depends on how your body is going to react.

http://www.dermnetnz.org/reactions/urticaria.html

I'm not sure all people with different auto immune conditions will have acid reflux but I do know that many people with digestive issues can develop it. I have acid reflux as well as gastritis. I have had Uc for 18 years but it wasn't until about 4 or 5 years ago that I started developing stomach issues.

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SHERRY
Moderator-Allergies/Asthma and Alzheimer's, Co-moderator-UC
current status: REMISSION-YAY!
~Left sided Uc-'92**Unable to tolerate ALL mesalamines**
Colazal(9 daily)/6mp(25mgs), Allopurinol (100mgs)/Bentyl-Prilosec~allergies-Singulair/Zyrtec~Reynauds Syndrome~OA-Tylonel Arthritis/Celebrex~Scoliosis~Sacroilitis~Dry eye-Restasis/GAD - Klonopin (.25mgs)