When you suffer with hives, fatigue can sometimes be another symptom that can help you figure out what is really wrong with you. Known medically as urticaria, hives goes undiagnosed in more than half of all cases. But anyone dealing with hives for more than an hour knows the itching is almost unbearable. People will do anything to stop the itching of urticaria. Fatigue is most often a result of using antihistamines to treat the urticaria. Fatigue may also be another symptom to consider along with the hives to help with diagnosis. So how do you tell the difference?
Stop Hives Fatigue By Changing The Treatment
If you are taking an antihistamine to try to relieve the itching, try something else. Antihistamines are not a good long-term answer anyway for treating urticaria. Fatigue or drowsiness will be listed on the antihistamine label in many cases. Take a look at the label of the medication you are using. If drowsiness is listed, try a different medication or try an ointment instead. Better yet would be a non-antihistamine natural treatment to stop the itching of hives. Fatigue won’t be a problem if you take a cool bath, for example. Don’t use hot water, as this may aggravate the hives and make the itching worse. Some people find temporary relief by applying apple cider vinegar. There are many homeopathic remedies effective for temporary relief of acute hives. Chronic hives will require something a little more permanent. It is difficult enough to live with undiagnosed, or idiopathic, hives. Fatigue is just another factor to make life more difficult.
Chronic Urticaria May Respond To Other Medications
Chronic idiopathic hives can go on for years. Some of the newer antihistamines like Zyrtec and Claritin help stop the itch of hives without drowsiness. For others with hives, fatigue is avoided by using oral steroids like prednisone or medrol. But they are not without their own side effects so be sure you are using them under the supervision of your doctor.
For some cases of chronic idiopathic hives, fatigue is avoided by using doxepin, which is an antidepressant. The drowsiness side effect of this drug goes away after several weeks, but can be substantial when first started. It blocks histamine release, which is what causes the wheals of hives. Fatigue from this drug as a side effect will diminish after no more than six weeks for most people and can be used long term if it helps.
Epinephrine is used for severe cases of hives. Fatigue is not a side effect of epinephrine, but it must be taken every 4 – 6 hours.
If you experiment enough, you may find a combination of medications, or changes in diet that will relieve the itching of urticaria. Fatigue does not have to be something you live with, but it may take some time before you find the regimen that works for you.
