Hives, Alpha-Gal, Dry Eyes

[AlwaysThankful]

Hi. I’m new here. Looking for help with chronic hives. I had a complete hysterectomy in August, after which I developed the hives. I have been diagnosed with Alpha-Gal, which is a beef and pork nitolerance. It is possibly from a Lone Star Tick bite. I dont’ remember the tick, but 80% of the time that’s what it is from. I wonder about the cause for the other 20% of people?? I’m taking Allegra and Xysal. The Allegra I’ve taken for 20 years for environmental allergies, but the Xysal is new. It makes me feel sleepy. I’ve also developed dry eyes, possibly linked to taking two antihistamines. I was using Flonase, but I started getting nose bleeds. I’ll see how I do come this spring, because I’ve used it for years. I also take Benadryl when the itching get bad. Anyone else have all this going on at the same time? Anyone else have Alpha-Gal?? Does it go away?

[lillyofthevalley37]

Are you on HRT bc estrogen is most likely the culprit estrogen produces histamine

You need to look into prostogene which will counter the estrogen natural progesterone is preferable to syntheic

[AlwaysThankful in reply to lillyofthevalley37]

Thank you so much for your reply. I did not know HRT can produce histamine. I’m not on HRT, but the GYN has just prescribed a cream for painful vaginal dryness due to hysterectomy, but I have not started it yet. I’ll look into the prostogene. Thank you again.

[lillyofthevalley37 in reply to AlwaysThankful]

you may want to look into pregnenolone which is the precursor to progesterone - progesterone cream brought me out in hives today so I have ordered some pregnenolone

[Ell17]

I have read that alpha-gal usually runs it's course in 3-5 years on average. Unless you are bitten again, of course. But, at least the allergy doesn't seem to last forever. Benadryl, Xysal, and Allegra are all antihistamines which are anticholinergic (slow things down) and one of the main side effects is dry eyes/ mouth/ sinuses. They can also make you sleepy. Use a good brand of natural tears for eyes and saline mist for dry sinuses.

Flonase can dry out the sinuses, which in turn can cause the nose to bleed. Using saline mist can generally improve that. Putting olive oil or lard , coconut oil or even plain mineral oil on a cotton swab and carefully inserting in nose and swabbing as far as you can comfortably reach, after you use the Flonase or saline mist, will moisten and offer some relief.

I used to suffer from chronic hives. Mine were caused by food allergies. When I identified and avoided the offending foods, they went away (after struggling for years with them, never even suspecting food as the culprit.) You are reacting to something in your diet, environment or possibly even fillers in medications or the medication itself. It takes trial and error and time to figure out what your unique triggers are by eliminating things one by one. Keep a journal of your attempts and results.

Best of luck in your search😊

[AlwaysThankful in reply to Ell17]

Thank you for all the information. I do use saline and coconut oil for dryness. I’m still trying to figure out what antihistamines are actually necessary. I’m glad to hear there’s a chance the alpha-gal will go away. I’m hear conflicting views. I like yours. I’ll keep searching, and in time it should clear up. I’m glad your hives are gone. I am surprised how many changes our bodies deal with throughout our lives. Thanks again.

[Ell17 in reply to AlwaysThankful]

That's the truth. Sure wish it could be less challenging. Personally, I had to get off Flonase and Zyrtec (which is identical to Xysal, by the way) because of too much dryness (aggravated Sjogren's). Benadryl is what I have always continued to use. It causes less dryness than other antihistamines, it is first generation and that was not a main side effect, or at least not to the degree of the later ones. Zyrtec is still one of the gentler ones, but if you are already struggling with dryness, it can just be too much. Try just using Benadryl for a while and see how it goes. As some one who is basically allergic to anything outside that grows or blows, I have used it all my life. (It is also the main ingredient in OTC sleep aids.) I am never without a stash of it.😊

[AlwaysThankful in reply to Ell17]

Thanks for all that advice. We are definitely ‘sisters’ with our allergy problems. The allergist did mention the positive benefits of Benadryl. Thanks so much!

[Ell17 in reply to AlwaysThankful]

👍

[AlwaysThankful in reply to Ell17]

Also, do you take just one 25mg capsule?

[Ell17 in reply to AlwaysThankful]

Dosing is 1 mg per kg. That said, always use the lowest dose that works. But, if you are having an allergic reaction you would dose to weight. ( Ex: If you weigh 125 lbs, you could take up to 5/ 25 mg tablets.)

Note: Liquid Benadryl is excellent for when you are having a reaction. I used the liquid exclusively when I would break out in hives. It seemed to get into my system quicker. (I also dosed to weight.)

In the absence of an active reaction, 25-50 mg generally does the job (I take 50 mg). 50 mg can work well to help you sleep at night, too.😊