Hives? Exciting new symptom...

[the+other+ben]

Hi Group!

I've been plugging away trying to become a functioning (healthy) human but recently developed a new symptom I'm not sure what to make of. I seem to have developed hive-like symptoms in the last 3-4 months. The closest thing I've experienced to it in the past is accidentally taking niacin on an empty stomach so I know this is unrelated.

At first it seemed to be only triggered by a cold wind (even a slight breeze is all it takes), causing exposed skin to become red, flushed/swollen, then itchy/burning. All skin covered by clothing remains normal. I also a few times experienced it by just washing my hands. At first the frequency of the reactions was a 2-3 times a week and since sometime in January it's tapered off to once a week or longer. Finally, since the weather has started warming up around here and I've had it triggered by sun exposure (combined with a breeze) twice now.

I thought cold hives fit the bill but apparently cold don't need to be in the mix to be a trigger (maybe just a temperature differential?). Wind seems to be a common factor but since it happened a few times washing my hands, maybe the running water was enough stimulus to approximate wind?

Anyways, I'm not sure what's going on with my immune system and maybe the group's wisdom can shed some light and point me in the right direction. Obviously my body has been under load from heavy metals (I've been detoxing on and off for the last 4-5 years, currently on hiatus), food allergies (I've tightened up my diet since the beginning of Jan) and I've also had different long-time skin issues resembling psoriasis or eczema. This is a super short description of my health status but hopefully provides some context.

I've also had issues with parasites in the past. I'm in the midst of getting a full parasite panel done but won't know the test results for a while. I've had Candida on and off and some other nasty critters-- I have no doubt this is likely a trouble area. My doctor and I have been focusing on the metals with the intent on coming back to the GI tract issues which we are doing now. My "gut" feeling (haha.. sorry, couldn't resist) is this is part of the right track.

Is there something else I'm missing that I should be paying attention to? If it is hives, there seems to be links to the immune system and/or parasites but I'm struggling to put it into the framework of my current situation. I keep asking myself, why now? All I know is it's thrown me for a loop!

 

[nicklebleu]

Not sure what's going on by your description. First that came to mind was cold hives too, maybe coupled with a sun allergy? Not sure ...

No matter what it is, my thinking is that diet will play a central role in getting this under control. A few thing that come to mind:
- Making sure you are in ketosis
- Eliminate all foods that you are not sure you tolerate for a number of months, and when all has settled, maybe to slowly reintroduce them
- Increase magnesium and salt intake
- Consider the use of L. rhamnosus GG (as described in this thread).

That's all what I can think of with the limited info available, maybe you could elaborate a bit on where exactly you are staying in life. Any acute stressors? Other stuff you have tried?

Speedy recovery!

 

[Alada]

Maybe it’s connected to some kind of Herxheimer die-off reaction, as you mention detoxing and tightening up your diet over the same time span?

I remember when first cutting out wheat and dairy going through a period of seemingly random outbreaks of insanely itchy skin, usually the legs but it did move around. Lasted for a while on and off, then eventually went away. I don’t know if that fits, just a tidbit to share, others might have more insight.

Any other symptoms other than the skin related ones? What had you been using else while detoxing? Or anything else new in the system since then which might be linked?

 

[the+other+ben]

- Making sure you are in ketosis
- Eliminate all foods that you are not sure you tolerate for a number of months, and when all has settled, maybe to slowly reintroduce them

Hi nicklebleu, I've been on an elimination diet since January that's close to Keto. Full Keto is my next goal.

- Increase magnesium and salt intake
- Consider the use of L. rhamnosus GG (as described in this thread).

I've increased Zinc since Jan, Magnesium not long after. I'll read the thread on L. rhamnosus GG. I'm on some probiotics but they don't have that species (I'll check).

That's all what I can think of with the limited info available, maybe you could elaborate a bit on where exactly you are staying in life. Any acute stressors? Other stuff you have tried?

Speedy recovery!

I'll elaborate on this more soon but nothing high stress, just the normal occasional bumps in the road of life. ;) Thanks for the input!

 

[the+other+ben]

Maybe it’s connected to some kind of Herxheimer die-off reaction, as you mention detoxing and tightening up your diet over the same time span?

Hi Alada,
My last detox cycle ended 1.5 months before these symptoms started appearing. A month after that I tightened up my diet in January after the holidays. It's an elimination diet that's like a super strict Paleo-- you could almost call it Keto "lite". Same restrictions as Keto (no grains, no dairy, no legumes, no sugar, no alcohol, no nightshades, no high-glycimic fruits/veg) but the difference is there's no monitoring of carbs vs fat. I do intend on going full Keto soon if I can manage keeping track of fat and limiting carbs.

Any other symptoms other than the skin related ones? What had you been using else while detoxing? Or anything else new in the system since then which might be linked?

The hives are the only new symptom. The only thing new I started taking shortly before the new symptom was Quercetin which I've stopped taking a month or two ago due to thoughts that it may be related. Ironically, Quercetin is often used to treat hives but I stopped taking it anyways. I changed to a different brand of digestive enzymes at the same time but I've continued to take those. But I really don't know if either one was part of the cause.

Thanks for the food for thought.

 

[MusicMan]

Sounds to me like a Herpes virus, or maybe cellulitis.
Either way, good luck with it. It sounds particularly nasty.

 

[the+other+ben]

Sounds to me like a Herpes virus, or maybe cellulitis.
Either way, good luck with it. It sounds particularly nasty.

Herpes? Uh, no. Symptoms don't remotely match. I'll look into the cellulitis angle, though. Thanks.

 

[JonnyRadar]

Hi Quinault, I've had similar hives over the last couple of weeks, however they don't match in the sense that they DO occur under my clothes where there's not contact with the air. Personally I think my own situation is a herxheimer die-off reaction from overdoing oil of oregano and causing a massive fungal die-off. I've been eating lots of sauerkraut to try to restore probiotics, but have been informed that that may not be enough, so I'm about to start supplementing probiotics to see if that helps at all. The are receding slightly now, almost two weeks after discontinuing the oregano oil, but they're still showing up at night while sleeping.

Anyhow, just posting for solidarity, and to suggest that yours also kind of sounds like a die-off symptom, except perhaps the fact that they only show up when your skin is in contact with the air.

Good luck! Please keep us posted if you find out any more data regarding the source of these. Hives can really be maddening.

 

[nicklebleu]

Hi Quinault, I've had similar hives over the last couple of weeks, however they don't match in the sense that they DO occur under my clothes where there's not contact with the air.

Had something similar in my early twenties when I was conscripted to the army. It was related to physical exercise and sweating. On a forced march I would develop hives all over my body which scared the hell out of the unit medic - so I didn't have to finish the marches.

I think that was mostly stress related (which was pretty high for me there) - as soon as that was over, the hives were gone and never returned! FWIW.

 

[the+other+ben]

Thanks all for the comments. I hadn't considered the possibility that it maybe a new manifestation of the herxheimer effect. I hadn't considered I may sill be detoxing months after my last chelation cycle so I'll at least beef back up on my detox support (extra H2O, minerals, antioxidants, vitamin C, etc.) and see what happens in the next few weeks.

This thing just came so out of left field (and not to mention, it's quite unpleasant!) I've been at a loss to understand it and formulate a plan to deal with it. At least now I feel I have a direction to go!

 

[FASTWALKER]

Quinalt,
Two links that you might find helpful. Sounds like the rash could be from Candida overgrowth? You may have a reaction to pollen or toxins/radiation in the air on exposed skin...

~http://www.relfe.com/wp/health/parasites-make-fat-hungry/

~http://www.amazon.com/Original-Parasite-Cleanse-Candida-Kit/dp/B00JSTWT62/ref=pd_sbs_hpc_5?ie=UTF8&refRID=11FTMQBW7013C02SZV99