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I have chronic urticaria. Would Montelukast be a better option?

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Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

I am 27 and have been getting itchy red wheels almost daily for the past two months. My CBC and thyroid profile were normal, but IgE came slightly high at 245 IU/mL.

The doctor said it is chronic urticaria and started Cetirizine, which helps only for a few hours. The itching sometimes gets worse at night, making it difficult to sleep. So I have a few concerns,

  1. Are long-acting antihistamines or Montelukast better options?

  2. Could this be linked to food allergy or stress?

  3. Should I consider doing allergy testing to find the trigger?

  4. How long do such cases usually last before they resolve on their own?

Please help.

Thank you.
Answered by Dr. Sanya Dhingra

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Sanya Dhingra is a dedicated General Practitioner with extensive years of clinical experience. She is passionate about working closely with patients, providing comprehensive care for a wide range of health conditions. Dr. Dhingra focuses on accurate diagnosis, effective treatment, and preventive healthcare to promote overall well-being. Her patient-centered approach ensures compassionate, holistic, and quality medical care for individuals across all age groups.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

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Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern, and I am truly sorry you are experiencing this.

This appears to be an acute flare of chronic urticaria (recurrent hives). Chronic urticaria can remain silent for long periods and suddenly flare when the immune system begins reacting more strongly to certain allergens.

You may have been sensitive to some triggers for years, but your body is now responding more intensely, leading to this episode. The mainstay of treatment is identifying possible allergens and avoiding them as much as possible.

You will need to continue Cetirizine, which is an antihistamine (anti-allergic medicine). If you are currently taking it once daily, you may increase it to twice daily. A 10 milligram tablet every 12 hours. Since

Cetirizine can cause drowsiness; avoid driving after taking it. For skin relief, you can apply calamine lotion or coconut oil over the rashes.

Possible allergens that can cause this condition include:

  • Certain foods.
  • Chemicals in soaps, shampoos, or skincare products.
  • Airborne triggers, such as pollen.
  • Pet hair, especially if you are around animals frequently.

Allergy tests are not always advisable because they only check for a limited number of allergens, while you may be exposed to many other triggers that cannot be tested.

I have some tips to help you prevent complications. So kindly follow them.

  • Maintain a routine lifestyle.
  • Eat simple, nutritious food.
  • Exercise daily.
  • Ensure adequate Vitamin D through sunlight and diet.
  • Use fragrance-free, mild soaps, shampoos, and lotions.

Please feel free to follow up if you have any further questions.

Thank you.

Medically reviewed by iCliniq medical review team
Published At January 31, 2026
Reviewed At February 9, 2026

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Sanya Dhingra is a dedicated General Practitioner with extensive years of clinical experience. She is passionate about working closely with patients, providing comprehensive care for a wide range of health conditions. Dr. Dhingra focuses on accurate diagnosis, effective treatment, and preventive healthcare to promote overall well-being. Her patient-centered approach ensures compassionate, holistic, and quality medical care for individuals across all age groups.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Consult other doctors in the same speciality

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Sanya Dhingra
Dr. Sanya Dhingra

General Practitioner

Consult this doctor

Education:

MBBS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Sanya Dhingra is a dedicated General Practitioner with extensive years of clinical experience. She is passionate about working closely with patients, providing comprehensive care for a wide range of health conditions. Dr. Dhingra focuses on accurate diagnosis, effective treatment, and preventive healthcare to promote overall well-being. Her patient-centered approach ensures compassionate, holistic, and quality medical care for individuals across all age groups.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Consult other doctors in the same speciality
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