I have frequent hives despite Artiz. How can I manage it?

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Thank you for your query at iCliniq.

I understand how frustrating and uncomfortable it can be to deal with hives that keep appearing and disappearing in different areas over the past few months.

This unpredictability, along with persistent itching, can be stressful, and, understandably, you are concerned, especially since your symptoms have not improved with Artiz (Cetirizine) 10 mg (milligrams).

Based on your description, you are experiencing chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU). In CSU, raised, itchy wheals appear and disappear within hours, often in different locations, and there may not be a clear external trigger.

The first step in managing chronic hives is to optimize antihistamine therapy. Cetirizine 10 mg is a standard starting dose, but in many cases, this dose is not sufficient to control symptoms.

You will need an alternative second-generation antihistamine. I suggest you start tablet Telfast (Fexofenadine) 180 mg at bedtime and tablet Famotidine 20 mg in the morning daily. Continue this treatment for at least three weeks.

Tablet Rapicort (Prednisolone) is available in pharmacies in your country. Take 5 mg, two tablets in the morning after breakfast, and two tablets at bedtime for five to seven days only.

You also need to identify and avoid possible triggers. Foods, alcohol, stress, infections, or certain medications can worsen urticaria in some individuals. Maintain a symptom diary, noting foods, activities, medications, and stress levels, to help identify potential triggers.

Additionally, get the following laboratory tests done to rule out systemic causes:

1. Complete blood count (CBC).

2. Urine complete examination (if you have burning urination).

3. Stool complete examination.

4. Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH).

Also, please monitor for warning signs of angioedema, such as swelling of the lips, tongue, or throat, or difficulty breathing. If any of these occur, seek emergency medical care immediately.

Keeping a diary of triggers, avoiding identified triggers, completing the recommended blood tests, and following the above treatment plan will help you manage your condition effectively.

Please follow up after two weeks with laboratory results and trigger details so the treatment dose can be adjusted if needed.

I hope this answers your query. Feel free to reach out to me anytime. I am here to help you.

Thank you.