Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
I was away on travel for the entire last week, and I just returned today. Since arriving home, I have been experiencing itching all over my body. I tried taking fexofenadine, but it did not provide any relief. The itching occurs every fifteen seconds in various parts of my body, including the legs, arms, face, and back. It temporarily disappears when I scratch the affected area. What can I do to alleviate the itching immediately? There is no visible rash present.
Kindly advise.
Hello,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
I understand your concern.
However, to provide appropriate guidance, the following information is required:
Was there consumption of nuts, fish, or sour foods before the itching started?
How many doses of fexofenadine hydrochloride tablet have been taken so far?
Is the itching associated with wheals or hives that appear for a few minutes to a few hours and then disappear?
Does a raised swelling appear along the line of scratching, a condition known as dermographism (skin writing)?
Are there any signs of swelling involving the lips or around the eyes, which may indicate angioedema?
Kindly provide the above details for further assessment and appropriate advice.
I hope this helps you.
Thank you.
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
I consumed pistachios during the flight and had a small tuna sandwich before boarding. Currently, there are no signs of swelling, rash, or any visible abnormalities. The itching feels like hives, as it appears in one area and then moves to another.
I took one Fexofenadine tablet four hours ago. A similar episode of itching occurred two months ago, but resolved on its own. Additionally, sometimes after taking a shower, a similar itching sensation occurs, but it subsides after a while.
Kindly advise.
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
I read your query and understood your concern.
Based on your medical history, it appears to be acute urticaria, which is an allergic reaction. Since you have already taken the tablet Fexofenadine in the morning, I suggest you follow the below mentioned instructions:
If there is no improvement after 24 hours, I suggest you take sedating antihistamines at bedtime that is a tablet of Cetirizine or Hydroxyzine as an alternative to Levocetirizine as it is a non-sedating antihistamine. I hope this has helped you. Kindly follow up if you have more doubts.
I hope this information will help you.
Thank you.
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
I appreciate the prompt response. There are no hives, and the skin appears completely normal. Could this be related to a food allergy or dry skin?
Kindly advise.
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
I understand your concern.
Based on the information provided and the short duration of symptoms, a food-related allergic reaction is a possible cause. It is advised to avoid nuts and seafood for the next few days.
Levocetirizine dihydrochloride tablet 10 milligrams (mg) may be taken once daily for three to five days to help control itching. In addition, applying a moisturizer immediately after bathing helps improve absorption and prevents excessive skin dryness.
I hope this helps you.
Thank you.
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
I recently noticed a new skin change that has been present for only a short time. I am worried because I am not sure whether it could be something serious, including cancer. Could this be an allergic reaction, or should I be concerned about malignancy?
Kindly advise.
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
I read your query and understood your concern.
With such a short history of the condition, it is unlikely for it to be malignant. The most probable cause is an allergy.
I hope this has helped you. Kindly follow up if you have more doubts.
Thank you.
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
I hope it is not due to a liver or kidney problem, as I have read about on the internet.
Kindly advise.
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
I read your query and understand your concern.
Based on the information provided, a liver or kidney problem is less likely, especially if the symptoms have appeared recently and there are no other associated signs such as yellowing of the eyes or skin, swelling of the legs, changes in urine output, or unexplained fatigue.
Information found on the internet can sometimes be concerning, but many common symptoms are more often related to benign causes such as allergies, irritation, or minor skin conditions rather than serious liver or kidney disease.
If the symptoms persist, worsen, or are accompanied by other concerning features, a clinical evaluation and appropriate investigations may be considered to rule out underlying causes.
I hope this has helped. Kindly follow up if you have any further doubts.
Thank you.
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
I took a Levocetirizine dihydrochloride tablet 5 milligrams (mg) in the morning and another dose in the evening yesterday, and the itching subsided by this morning. However, the itching has started again. How long should this medication be continued?
Kindly advise.
Hello,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
I understand your concern.
It is advised to continue taking the medication regularly without missing any doses for a minimum of ten days. In this age group, Levocetirizine dihydrochloride tablet 10 milligrams (mg) may be taken twice daily, as advised. In addition, Ranitidine hydrochloride tablet 150 milligrams (mg) should be taken twice daily before meals.
If the itching persists even after fifteen days of treatment, a blood test is recommended, including complete blood count (CBC) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), to further evaluate the cause.
I hope this is helpful.
Thank you.
Patient's Query
Hello,
Thank you doctor for the reply,
Can I get a blood test tomorrow since I am already planning to have one? Are there any allergy tests that I can undergo?
Kindly advise.
Hello,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
I understand your concern.
There is no need to undergo an allergy test at this time. In cases of acute urticaria, it is common to observe elevated levels of serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). To rule out any underlying infectious cause, it is advisable to perform a complete blood count (CBC) and urine routine microscopy.
As mentioned earlier, acute urticaria can persist for up to six weeks, and in chronic cases, it may last even longer. Since this is the first episode, it is advised to continue taking the prescribed medications consistently.
If there is no improvement, further evaluation may be required, including complete blood count (CBC) with erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), urine routine microscopy, and serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) testing.
This information is intended to help guide management. Please feel free to follow up if there are any further questions or concerns.
I hope this helps you.
Thank you.
Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
My itching had subsided a few months ago, but it has started again for the past three days. Could it be due to the change in weather, transitioning from winter to summer? Is it possible that something I consumed triggered the itching? My liver function tests and kidney function tests are normal, and my erythrocyte sedimentation rate is also normal.
Currently, I am taking Fexofenadine 180 mg in the morning and Levocetirizine at night. Is it safe to take two Fexofenadine 180 mg tablets per day?
Kindly suggest.
Hello,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
I read your query and understood your concern.
If your wheals and hives diminish with a single dose of the generic medication Fexofenadine 180 mg, there is no need to take a second dose. I suggest you continue taking a tablet of Levocetirizine 10 mg once daily as you have been doing. However, if you notice the rash subsides with Fexofenadine, you may take it twice a day and discontinue Levocetirizine. Also, I suggest you continue taking a tablet of Ranitidine as prescribed.
I hope this has helped you. Kindly follow up if you have more doubts.
Thank you.
Patient's Query
Hello,
Thank you for the reply doctor.
I do not have any visible rash or skin abnormalities. There are no hives present; it is just generalized itching, and it improves with the use of Fexofenadine. I am concerned about the underlying cause. I plan to undergo the ESR test again. However, could the itching simply be due to dryness?
Kindly advise.
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
I read your query and understood your concern.
If you are not using moisturizer, I would advise you to start using an intense moisturizing lotion after bathing daily. Dryness can lead to generalized itching as well. I hope this has helped you. Kindly follow up if you have more doubts.
I hope this information will help you.
Thank you.
Patient's Query
Hi doctor,
Thanks for the reply.
Can there be any other cause of generalized itching besides dryness if liver function tests, kidney function tests, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate are normal? Is it safe to take two tablets of Fexofenadine 180 mg, or would it lead to excessive side effects?
Thanks.
Hello,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
I read your query and understood your concern.
If you are experiencing dryness on your skin, it can cause generalized itching known as xerosis. I suggest you take a single dose of the medication since you do not have any severe symptoms. I also suggest you apply moisturizer daily and applying moisturizer immediately after bathing helps with better absorption. I suggest you avoid excessive use of soap while bathing. In the case of urticaria, liver function tests (LFT) and renal function tests (RFT) usually remain normal. Only the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) may be elevated. I hope this has helped you. Kindly follow up if you have more doubts.
I hope this information will help you.
Thank you.
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