February 13th, 2019

After working for forty years as a bank’s financial officer, Ginnie was enjoying a well-deserved retirement. Then one day after taking a hot shower, she noticed a group of itchy red bumps on her arms and legs. They soon disappeared and Ginnie thought little more of them until they recurred the next day and the next.

Now, they were becoming annoying. Soon the hives were coming and going at all times of the day and night, not just after showering. They could pop up after Ginnie played tennis or wake her in the middle of the night. Nothing Ginnie did seemed to help. She
tried changing her diet, smearing herself with all manner of salves, even eating kale!

Yet, after 2 months, the blasted hives would continually come and go, come and go and Ginnie seemed helpless to do anything about it.  Ginnie decided to
consult a Board Certified Allergy and Asthma Specialist.

We spoke to Ginnie extensively about her hives, taking time to find out all we could about what brought them on, where and when they occurred. Allergists know that it is often the fine details one gleans from talking to a patient about their medical problems that best lead to a diagnosis and, ultimately, a solution to the problem.

After an exam and some specialized tests, we determined that Ginnie was making
antibodies against cells within her own skin, a not uncommon condition called Chronic Autoimmune Urticaria.
​
We recommended initially a daily medication that would immediately control her hives and restore some normalcy to her life. Eventually, Ginnie decided with us that the best treatment choice for her was a once monthly injection that would also prevent her hives and allow her to enjoy her retirement free of itching.