I have been dealing with cholinergic Urticaria for some years over the counter histamines are not working need a doctor that can help me, if outside on hot days, or working out at the gym attacks come on and feels like shooting fire needles through my body, even when I get a slight fever, I need help are you accepting new patients

I have had hives since February which was a few months since I finished chemotherapy treatments. I am taking really high doses of Allegra, Zyrtec, Claritin and benedryl. I have been to an allergist and she prescribed hydroxyzine hcl. It seems like it worked at first then seemed to make it worse. So I stopped that. She asked me to try Xolair. The first shot seemed to work some what and I didn’t have to take antihistamines for two days and then when I needed to start again I could go longer stretches between antihistamines. Today I took my second shot and the hives came back within 8 hours. I went on a winery tour and had my first taste of wine in about 15 months. It has been less than a week since tour. Could the wine have caused the difference in reaction? At what doses of antihistine will my body start to have adverse belts effects other than drowsiness? Also what should my next steps be? Should I continue with the Xolair? My allergist did suggest that I have a skin biopsy to rule out cancer.

Yes, we are accepting new patients. Cholinergic urticaria can be addressed in a telehealth during the current COVID 19 crisis.

Chronic hives need a proper work up by your internist or allergist as well as keeping a diary about daily intake or exposure. Eighty percent of the time, the cause of chronic hives cannot be identified despite these efforts. If the diagnosis is in question, a skin biopsy is very appropriate. Dietary modifications can be helpful in some instances and need to be meticulously planned. Long term use of antihistamines is considered save. Some professionals might prescribe a combination of H1 and H2 blockers but I cannot assess if this would be right for you. I am unable to provide advise on Xolair without proper in person evaluation.