Posted 4/3/2013 2:54 PM (GMT -6)
I have had Chronic Urticaria for about 15 months now and I still do not know what is the cause and how to stop them. Before I found Healing Well, I thought I was alone in the world with them. I'm only 19 years old with no health insurance so I'm loading my body with known antihistamines just to keep them at bay. I tried everything I could afford; cold showers (even in the winter), medicated powders and creams, no sugar or excessive salt, otc drugs and much more. At one point I gave up on trying to cure them and just tried to find ways to live with them. I was and still am self-conscious about my body because of the hives. I missed majority of my senior year of high school because my face, throat, hands, feet and body would be covered in massive hives and I would look like I was nearly beat to death. I wouldn't be able to walk or touch anything. I sometimes had a hard time breathing and eating because my mouth and throat would be swollen. I had been to the emergency room more times that I should at my age. Some days I couldn't see due to swollen eyes. I couldn't stay awake in class from being exhausted from medication and not sleeping well from flare ups. I would cry night after night wondering why this has happened. I wouldn't wear skirts or shorts in the spring and summer, afraid that my thighs rubbing together would cause a flare up. I stayed away from beaches, water parks and pools just so I didn't have to wear a bathing suit. I also stopped wearing regular bras for awhile because the band around my sides and back would cause a flare. I also was conscious about intercourse with my boyfriend because where the hives were the most severe, they left bruises and scratch marks from me digging into my skin when they'd itch.
Something was different about this year. I told myself enough is enough and I began my search, with the help of my wonderful boyfriend, to find a more natural antihistamines and/or cure. We have done research based on my family history, vitamins I am lacking, and things to improve my skin and immune system. So far I have found that Aspartame is a trigger for my hives. It is an artificial sugar that sugar-free foods and drinks use to replace real sugar. The FDA has failed to mention that aspartame doesn't do the body good but does harm. So I stopped chewing gum, and eating sugar free everything and even some healthy drinks and foods. I read the label on everything I buy. I also noticed that after I gained 60+ lbs that I started having this problem. No one in my family has ever had hives so I'm am very confident that it is a result of putting junk in my body.
I have discovered that I am low on vitamin D and cannot be in climates indoor or outdoor above 85 degrees Fahrenheit so I take multivitamins once a day and Vitamin D & antihistamines twice a day. I also try to use natural sugar, sea salt and Italian seasoning instead of white sugar and regular salt. I also am on a journey to lose 50 lbs and treat my body better. So far the changes I have made have really helped so I'm hoping getting healthy will cure my hives. I also am going to try apple cider vinegar and see what it can do for me. Another thing I have done to keep me motivated to be more healthy and hive conscious is visit Healing Well daily and read your forums and replies. I think I wouldn't have been this inspired if it hadn't been for you guys and gals sharing your stories and not giving up. You just don't know how much of a blessing you are from God and the universe. Your little words and smiley faces go a long way so thank you, thank you, thank you!!