Uticaria on face eyes and neck

I am suspected Crohns waiting for pillcam and have had symptoms for 2 years...although colonoscopy biopsy neg my GI is pretty convinced I have it as I definitely have tests confirming an inflamed bowel.

My various diets have controlled my bowel symptoms, abdominal pain a bit ..but the last few weeks I have had terrible uticaria on my face and neck...it started with swelling on eyebrows and around eyes...Antihistamines dont control it so doctors have put me on a short course of prednisolone which is really helping. Im scared it will come back after the steroids are finished. Swimming really helps and so does putting ice all over my face. does anyone have any tips for lotions my doctor says I cant use steroid cream on my face...Im convinced the hives are an autoimmune thing but doesnt seem to be a common crohns symptom....Jan

Hi Jan,

I'm sorry you didn't get any answers I wanted to check in and see how you're doing though. Has the Uticaria abated? Have they figured out the cause?

Hi David...sorry for delay been in London for the pill endoscopy...The specialist brought forward the appointment for me which was great of him...Hives have been horrific...(prednisolone shifts them and then they come back) and have been having soaring BP and lots of pain in my body. My profile according to the GI does not exactly fit Crohns and I might have a form of vasculitis instead. The inflammation in my bowels has actually gone down since last March but other extra interstinal symptoms of inflammation are marked...Sometimes vasculitis and Crohns mimic each other apparently or go together...The prospect of having vasculitis really scares me..there are several forms lupas, behcets..or just general inflammation of the blood vessels (which is what they are querying with me). Anyway I will know if its Crohns in 3 weeks..and then if not will be referred to a rheumatologist...

I'm glad your consultant was able to move up the test. Please keep us updated as to what they find.

*hugs*

Hi Campbell I sent you a friend request. I have Behcet's and Crohn's. Several years ago I use to get the worse Hives all over my body. I actually went into anyphlaxis shock 2 times and the cause was never found out. they just said it was auto immune. this was way before i got either Dx. at that time they said i had IBS and was way stressed out. I got them daily for about 5 years then they just stopped I still get some wide spread itching every now and then with a few small hives that usually appear on my arms but that is it. I hope since they are closing in on your diagnosis the hives will get better. The only thing that helped me during my worse bouts was taking 6 Benadryl at a time several times a day with another antihistamine. the name of it eludes me right now but i know i had to get it my prescription. I frequently had to go to ER for steroid and epi shots even though my allergy testing all came back negative.

I will say that when I did relieve some of my stress mainly leaving my abusive ex husband I have been relatively hive free. hope you find ref lief soon. Hive suck!