Stress Center Peer Support

I have been having chronic uticaria (hives) for about 3 years. They are definately started with food allergies ( I don't follow my diet )
But anytime I get stressed or nervous, which is everyday, they get much worse, it's totally embarrassing. I take benadry and zyrtec but they don't stop the breakouts, just make them not itchy. Has anyone experienced this? I don't take anti-depressants and I'm wondering if they would help with the hives and panic attacks. I'm not depressed, only anxious.
I would appreciate any input, thanks.

Hi. My 20 year old daughter and my mother experienced that last year. My daughter is young and my mother is old so we wanted something natural. We tried so many things that didn't work. Then we tried Caladryl and it worked great. It's a mixture of benadryl and calamine lotion. you can get it at any pharmacy over the counter.

Hope this helps.

Take care. DeeDee.

Hi there!
My daughter gets depression and anxiety.
She has had a lot of stress from dif. sources.
Her doctor increased her zoloft the last time.
she had hives so bad. And she took benadryl.
She doesn't take an anti-anxiety med but she probably should be.
She is better on the extra zoloft. But she has flare-ups occasionally.
I gave her the program. She lives in another state.
She is very, very busy.
I hope she can overcome this eventually. When she has less stress I think she'll be better.

I sure hope you get better.
Cornflower

I also have hives. I found that I was allergic to a certain cosmetic and they went away after I stopped using it. The hand lotion that I use now also cause hives but not as bad. It's kind of a process of elimination thing. They are probably worse when I am under stress too. I hope that you can find a cure. The Dr. gave recommended lotradine(sp). It's non-drowsy and over the counter. It works.

Thanks everyone for replying, I will definately try the Caladryl dee dee. I'm trying to wait on taking any anti-deppressants because I am trying to get pregnant as well. I have a friend who started taking zoloft for hives and panic attacks about 2 months ago and I think she is feeling MUCH better, although, the hives are not completely gone.
Mine definately come about when I have too much red wine (which is my favorite stress reliever) I am highly allergic to molds and yeasts. Anyway, thanks again for all of the input!!