about two years ago i was diagnosed with chronic hives (urticaria). this condition affects 10-20% of the population, meaning it's fairly common. basically i have a high level of histamine in my system and when the histamine is released overabundantly i itch like crazy producing dermatographism. this condition is very common in young women and can last for months to years. the funny thing about chronic hives is no one knows the source. and they disappear as strangely as they appear.

last month i was in vegas on a business trip. my hives were horrible while i was out in the desert. at certain times, i thought i would scratch until i would bleed. luckily i didn't. i took quite a bit of antihistamine medication while i was out there. when i returned to dfw, where you can basically drink they air because it's so humid, my hives were gone. i've been itch-free for about a month now and i'm so happy.

what is the blessing in all of this? i have more patience and a much better appreciation for god's healing powers. i've basically been doing the same thing for two years. itching, taking combinations of benadryl, allegra and zyrtec, and then experiencing a lessening of the itching. so, what would make me stop itching all of a sudden? i think it has to be god. maybe it's god's atmospheric nature from vegas to dallas. or maybe it's just god realizing that i've grown as a person because of these hives and it's time for them to be over. whatever the case, i am grateful and i hope i continue my road to recovery.

the bonus -- my skin has suffered no scar or malformities because of the hives.


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