I had them last week, took benedryl and it went away. then a week later they came back. took benedryl last night and it helped.
they just appeared again.
has anyone had CYCLIC hives appear at the same time of day? It is not related to anything allergic. I have been tested up and down. I am sure it is stress and/or lyme.
just wanting to know if anyone else has gotten them every day at same time? thanks, trails
Posted by timaca (Member # 6911) on :
Hi Trails~ I don't get hives. But, a friend of mine who did the hyperbaric with me (I think you e-mailed her)....she breaks out in "hives" just after the dives. She believes that it could be a die-off from the HBOT.
Just out of curiousity, are you taking a medication of some kind at the same time each day that the hives could be related too?
Timaca
Posted by trails (Member # 1620) on :
hi timaca buddy!
No, I take my doxy in the AM and then the hives start before I take it in the PM. Also I take promtetrium at nite AFTER the hives have started. I have been on both these drugs for several months without incident.
Posted by Jill E. (Member # 9121) on :
Hi Trails,
I haven't had cyclical hives, but I did get a hive-like rash while on Levaquin that we thought at first was an allergic reaction, but probably turned out to be a Bartonella rash. I've read descriptions that they can look hive-like in terms of red papules.
However, that would not explain the 5 p.m. cycle you are on!
Have you done any detective work in terms of thinking about if there is a particular chair or sofa you sit on around 5 p.m. in case it's a contact dermatitis? Or do you put the heat on at that time? I'm trying to think of anything that could be environmental.
Is there anything new you've been eating at lunch that could cause a delayed reaction?
What a mystery.
Jill
Posted by trails (Member # 1620) on :
the plot does thicken Jill, if you want to know details. Both saturdays that this occured (last sat and then yesterday) I was away from my house and slept at a friend's house, and ate at the same mexican restaurant on the way home. BUT--I slept with my own pillow and the hives didnt start until almost 5 hours after leaving their house. and 7-9 hours after awaking. I had no itching while there, and slept the best I have in ages--I love that bed!
The salsa connection---well---i did eat at this place once before these two times with NO hives...so it makes me think it isnt that either.
The other thing is that the car ride is long and as you know I have had problems with sun sensitivity. BOth times we had to stop on the highway and shove my butt into the back seat where we have tinted windows. I have sat back there many a time without getting hives though. But maybe that small amount of sun and stress around it was enough?
I am not taking any baths anymore and this is something that makes me VERY VERY VERY sad. My showers are limited too as I know this can trigger it for me.
I thought I was really breaking out in hives tonight, but it is just that hystaminal feeling, no actual red raised areas and the itching is not so bad. It is just that stingy feeling on my skin that to me means right before hives break out.
It is most definately hives and not a different type of rash because I have experience with hives and that hystaminal feeling is very specific.
So maybe I will be lucky and it is just related to the drive, the place I stayed or the sun. Maybe i am not going to keep getting these at 5pm every day.
The reason I ask is that I have a history of this happening. in 2001 i got hives every day at 5pm no matter what I did for almost 2 years. I was on allegra but if i forgot to take it even MONTHS later, i would break out at 5pm sharp. It all started a week AFTER I stopped long term abx for lyme.
thanks for listening to my long long story! trails
Posted by trueblue (Member # 7348) on :
I've been thinking about this... that alone should worry you.
I have gotten cyclic itchies sometimes for days running. I had an ithcy red rash, like a raised red lacy pattern on my side last year that would seem to get majorly itchy at certain times of the day. I have a pic and don't know what it is but I can send it to you.
But that's not what I was thinking about so much as the nightly part. Nightly fevers are not unusal for me. Why couldn't any other symptom be the same way?
Ha, said I was thinking not that I had an answer unfortuantely.
I had some success with spray benedryl, though it's sticky, whitch hazel and eventually tried mycolog cream.
Does Xanax or something like that help? It might if it were nerves.
How about a combination of something your sensitive to and nerves?
Pick old clothes that haven't been worn in while out and wear them to see if it's a reaction to detergent? Maybe eat something you haven't recently?
Sorry, wish I had some better ideas.
ps. your last post wasn't there when I posted this. Or well, it was, but I hadn't seen it. I'm glad the hives didn't blossom though. Posted by hurtingramma (Member # 7770) on :
I have the same problem, only worse. Every few months I have to go off the meds because of hives. We have yet to figure out which med is causing them. Right now I've been off for 3 weeks with no let-up in the itching.
My LLMD's latest suggestion is to use moisterizing soap (like Dove) and then cetaphil cream. I have been using a steroid cream. His latest theory is that it is a moisture problem. I'm not sure I agree because I had a bout in the middle of the summer last year too.
I'm about at the end of my rope dealing with this. I take Atarax as an antihistamine, but it doesn't really help much. Effect wears off in about 2 hours. I have had to give up my bi-weekly trips to the pool for Ai-Chi - even though it's a salt water pool. The heat makes everything worse.
If you figure something out, Please let me in on it!
Posted by hshbmom (Member # 9478) on :
Hi Trails,
Do you have a LLMD appointment any time soon?
Have you called to ask them about this rash?
You might want to take a photo of it as the day progresses.
Hope you figure this out soon.
Nancy
Posted by Jill E. (Member # 9121) on :
Trails,
You're going to end up on one of those Medical Mysteries TV programs!
When I was a child I got all sorts of contact dermatitis and weird rashes that doctors could never figure out.
I had to keep my own diary and figure out everything I touched, ate, every type of soap, clothing detergent - anything that had changed, etc. I've also done this as an allergy to track down onset of new allergies or intolerances.
Anyway, I would say just keep up the diary of what you're doing - when you're driving in the car in the sun, when you eat at certain restaurants, like others said think about switching to fragrance-free clothing detergents if you haven't already, all that stuff and see if you can figure it out.
I would ask your LLMD about anything internally that might increase or decrease at 5 p.m., like blood sugar, cortisol, whatever, just to see if a sudden surge or drop of something biochemical or hormonal could do it.
Hey, if you moved to another time zone, I wonder if it would still happen?
Please keep us posted. This is quite the mystery.
Jill
Posted by Marnie (Member # 773) on :
Bb is in the mitochondria of the langerhans cells. Mast cells release histamine triggering an "allergic reaction." This looks to send the langerhans cells to the lymph nodes for removal.
Histamine is supposed to be broken down by the same liver enzyme that breaks down alcohol and since all spirochetes ferment sugar to ethanol/alcohol...that enzyme is already "busy".
= overload of histamine.
Posted by trails (Member # 1620) on :
You guys are all so wonderful!
thank you truey, jillie, granma, mom and marnie.
good news: i didnt have to take any benedryl last night and i never really broke out in hives rash. just had that hystaminal feeling and some itching.
I am trying to stay away from medicating this as long as i can because i have surgery planned feb 9th and i feel that I need to either have an understanding of why this happening or not be on drugs to suppress it coz i may not be able to take those drugs pre and post op.
I will continue to update as the days go by...lets hope it is just a saturday night FEVER! hahaha, trails
Posted by Virginia of Yore (Member # 3269) on :
I would also keep a food diary of what you eat, where, and when, then see if there's a pattern to your hives. The only times I have ever had hives were when I ate out at a cafeteria and a buffet type restaurant--there is something they use in the their packaged food mixes that is different and caused me (and my non-lyme son) to get hives. (Maybe it had some unusual preservatives or such. The actual types of food were not ones I normally would react to at all.)
The hives reaction occurred later in the day, not right away--as your body processes the foods, chemical changes may occur that your body then reacts to. It can happen up to 48 hrs. later, depending on how fast your digestion works. If there is a specific food you suspect, wait till any hives subside, then try a food challenge by eating a lot of that food in simple form (not mixed with other potential offending foods). Wait 48 hrs. and see if you get any strong reaction before testing another suspect. If you break out in hives or get another strong reaction, it's best to avoid that food, or at the very least don't eat it more often than every 5 days, which may help decrease reactions. (Google "Rotation diet" for more on that.)
If your liver is clogged and full of toxins, it can also cause you to start developing food reactions that are allergy-like, so detoxing the liver may help.
Posted by timaca (Member # 6911) on :
Trails~ Your hives sound very much like my friend's who did the HBOT dives with me. She would get the burning, itchy feeling first too, then break out in the hives.
I forwarded your post on to her, in case she has any comments.
Timaca
Posted by Ruth Ruth (Member # 11059) on :
Hi Trails,
Itchy hives were the main symptom that got me looking at what was wrong with me. The steriod creams worked to get the itch but suppressed the HPA so much I ended up at the E.R. with lots of scary symptoms.
Finally, almost a year later, someone lent me a book called Adrenal Fatigue that explained so much about what happens to chronically ill people (no matter what the illness) and many of the ideas in that book helped me to get in a much better place healthwise. (Once I learned how to prop up my endocrine system and address my responses to stress, things were better skinwise too.)
Marnie's comments about the histamine really helps explain why the rash lingers. I've been doing much better in the past month after I increased the dose of the systemic enzymes I'm taking. Another piece of the puzzle.
I remember something in the adrenal fatigue book talks about way hormones cycle throughout the day and I think there is something significant about 5 pm. You can look around their website to see if any helpful info is online about that.
Also, different people have used interesting things to help with the itch naturally. Some use footpads that pull toxins out. Personally I use the strangest method I've ever heard of. But it's working for me. There is an herbal concentrate from the Stevia plant I buy from sweetleaf/wisdom naturals. It's like a dark brown syrup that smells like licorice. I read a book called the Miracle of Stevia that listed all these anecdotal remedies using the stuff including healing the skin. So, I smeared it on and viola! no itch! But I found that it wasn't too cute to wear on my face unless I thinned it out with water... kind of like a quick fake tan Any way, I don't think most people would want to try this. But I had such a bad reaction to pharmaceuticals and this worked for me.
BTW: part of the effects of the dark concentrate (not to be confused with the clear extract people use as a sweetner) is antibacterial. One theory is that bacteria like the sweet taste, but it has zero calories and so they starve while eating away at this stuff. Just like Xylitol that is used in toothpaste and gum for that purpose. So that may be helping with any itch from a bacterial source as well.
That's just my experience, but I sure can empathize with your struggles with the "itch."
[ 30. January 2007, 12:04 AM: Message edited by: Ruth Ruth ]
Posted by Carol in PA (Member # 5338) on :
quote:Originally posted by Ruth Ruth: Finally, almost a year later, someone lent me a book called Adrenal Fatigue that explained so much ...
UPDATE---I got hives agian tonight. it isnt sat night. I didnt eat ANY of the same things I have been eating. they came on about 7pm.
thanks ruth ruth,
where in cali are you? I am in the central valley right now.
I looked at the adnrenal page. some good stuff in there. I dont have any allergies though. none. I have been tested over and over (in the past 4 years)with the skin tests and blood tests and i am NOT allergic to anything.
So this reaction is either emotional or hormonal/lyme. I think it is a combo.
I will start taking allegra tomorrow. this worked for years for me in the past, i think it should work again.
cross yer fingers.
I am sooooo missing taking hot baths!!!
Trueblue--i bought some benedryl CREAM, thanks for the tip!
Posted by Ruth Ruth (Member # 11059) on :
Carol,
It's a good book.
I used my own supplements, not the doctor's, with good results. So don't let the fact that he sells his own blends put you off. The book stands on it's own and the cartoons really make the subjects understandable and fun to learn.
His explanation that chronic illness of any kind wears out the adrenals, coupled with his description of the symptoms of adrenal fatigue, should help when looking at Lyme v.s. adrenal fatigue effects.
Supporting my adrenals/thyroid has given me so much more energy, life, and hope--but it has not "cured" me of the infection part of this journey.
Posted by Ruth Ruth (Member # 11059) on :
Hi Trails,
You snuck in a post whilst I was trying to reply to Carol!
I've lived just about every part of the state, my family is mostly NorCal, but I'm down in southern California permanently--if my husband has anything to say about it.
The docs final dx on my skin situation was "nonspecific." Not much help there.
Watching my symptoms, there are two kinds of reactions.
1. The small pinpoint dots that come in patches and itch somewhat seem to be related to "die-off" ... perhaps they are toxins that can't get out via the liver like Marnie was talking about. Detox helps with these. Dry skin brushing is an easy first response for me. Then the stevia, of course!
2. The other is basically a stress induced rash that we could call hives. It comes in response to some event in my life that back in the day wouldn't even faze me, but now with the fatigued adrenals, it causes my body to go into "911" response.
So, some people would tell me to chill out, calm down and not be so sensitive; that it is due to being "emotional." But after reading the book, I realized that the reason I'm responding like this is because my adrenals aren't able to produce the "stand-down" chemicals to restore balance to my hormonal systems after an alert of some kind. (Like a near miss on the freeway while driving.)
So I have resorted to using benedryl cream once at Thanksgiving when family came to town, but other than that I just work on getting rest and healing.
Hope you get better soon!
Posted by trueblue (Member # 7348) on :
hiya ~ I just remembered last time the itchies came up, I think it was minimonkey, (maybe?) that suggested baking soda and water... that really stopped itchies well.
Sorry ridiculous brain fog.
I haven't tried benedryl cream only the spray pump thingy but cream HAS to be less sticky! The spray worked but was like glue, heh, my clothes stuck to it. Posted by trails (Member # 1620) on :
ruthruth,
I know the first rash you speak of and I was actually hospitalised for it in 2001. my liver was pretty much failing and i was on rocephin and it was a MAJOR herx and all the toxins came out on my skin. you did well in describing it.
i am currently having the second type of "rash." basically rednness and sometimes a raised portion and they can get large and irregular shaped.
tonight i took valium and they have calmed down....so what does THAT tell ya? Also I dont feel drugged by the valium, just like a regular person.
stress and lyme I am sure of it.
will do allegra in the morning. and report in again. thanks again and again.
Posted by Ruth Ruth (Member # 11059) on :
Trails,
Did I mention that I sip an herbal drink all day that (among other things) contains valarian root (valium's inspiration)?
Or that four times a day I take a couple of another pill called MyoCalm PM by metagenics?
Duh, that is probably why I am such a balanced, gentle person these days!
I guess that is what we have to do until the infections are dealt with.
Posted by trails (Member # 1620) on :
UPDATE-- I did not use any antihystaminal products lat nite or today yet. I got the cream, but havent used it.
The hystaminal feeing is still here and i have gotten little hives here and there all morning.
they come on in about 5 minutes and dissapear in about 1 hour. they itch, have a red raised center to them of varying size and then blotchy redness around them.
I talked with my LLMD. He said they are related to lyme in SOME way but how we dont really know. If it was a drug rash it would NOT go away without antihystamines. Same with other allergy. But mine just come and go.
just to be on the safe side we are stopping doxy and prometrium. those are the only two drugs i am on, besides PRN valium and ativan.
I will have surgery in 9 days with lots of IV abx, so no one is worried that the lyme will get the upper hand here.
I am trying to decide if a bath would help detox or would trigger more hives. I would REALLLLLLY like to sit and soak for some time.
trails
Posted by Ruth Ruth (Member # 11059) on :
Maybe a cooler temp bath so you don't trigger the histamine, with a couple cups of vinegar added to help with the skin discomfort?
I'm so sorry you are going through this!
Posted by HEATHERKISS (Member # 6789) on :
I had hives for years off and on before I knew anything about lyme. I ended up on a few different antihistamines at the same time for over a year.
I also did steriod packs a couple times. NOT A GOOD THING TO DO IF YOU HAVE LYME! and even had to go the hospital er a couple times becuase I was afriad my throat was going to close.
the hives were so bad the er nurse put me in a bed and started a drip right away.
Months later I then became allergic to practically everything. clothes food perfume cats etc.
Anyway....... the rxed antihistamines that I took for over a year helped. I weaned my self off of them slowly and the hives never returned.
this is all before I knew I had Lyme.
Good luck. so sorry you are suffering with hives. I feel your pain.
Posted by hillaryb (Member # 10049) on :
Heather I had a similar experience--hives treated with steroids, which led my immune system to toally break down so that I developed anaphalactic allergic responses to many, many foods. I've since learned that steroids can activate many latent infection, not just Lyme. It's amazing how quick allergists are to pass steroids out!! At least we have learned to avoid them--although we had to do it the hard way :-(
Ruth Ruth Great information about the importance of adrenal fatigue. It's too often overlooked by many practioners. I've been lucky to see an acupuncurist who put me on adrenal support supplements years ago, which might be one reason why I never totally crashed from Lyme (despite being infected 6 years before being diagnosed). I'm going to get that book on Adrenal Fatigue from my library--it's always good to get a refresher on what we are supposed to be doing!
trails Good luck finding out the source of your hives! I hope that it turns out to be caused by something that's easy to eliminate from your environment.
Posted by trails (Member # 1620) on :
Thanks everyone!
update: I stopped my doxy almost 48 hours ago and have had a SLIGHT decrease in hives.
I am still taking the prometrium.
I am not taking any anti-hystamines at all.
I was able to take 2 baths yesterday and no hives post-bath!!!
I am hoping they are slowly getting better all by their lonesome.
Posted by trueblue (Member # 7348) on :
Maybe it was time for a doxy break? Whatever... happy baths to you! Posted by trails (Member # 1620) on :
thanks--as soon as I wrote that I had a slight outbreak along my neck.
they love my neck and hair line. ITCHY!!
and the worst is the INSIDE OF MY EARS!!
Posted by trails (Member # 1620) on :
here is a link to what my rash looks like. small bumps lik these. the link is in chinese.
anyone else get this?
Posted by trueblue (Member # 7348) on :
yup, those are hives, alright *nods*
I usually get a couple of isolated ones and then they'll recur in the same spot for a while. They are not necessarily the result of allergies most times for me, unless I spend too much cat time.
I'll have one or 2 pop up on my face or elsewhere and last a few hours (or less) and vanish. Sometimes it feels like there's gonna be some and they don't fully develop.
I wish I had some good advice. I vote for benzos, but I usually do. Posted by trails (Member # 1620) on :
I went to urgent care today. a step down from ER. I have been there ONCE before.
they refused to treat me because my case is too complex! they said i had to go to the ER.
I was OBVIOUSLY NOT dying or in acute pain or shock, I just needed a few blood tessts, maybe an ultrasound (which they have done there before for me) to check kidney swelling and a scipt for allegra.
NOPE.
they refused.
I didnt go to the ER. I dont need that crapola.
so frustrated. Posted by trueblue (Member # 7348) on :
I'm sorry Trails
I doubt hugs will help but I can try. Posted by trails (Member # 1620) on :
I was better today than i have been, but tonight the hives are back just the same.
Posted by smiles132002 (Member # 7949) on :
Trails,
Oh the hives-I thought I was alone on this one...I have been broke out in hives on and off for 2 years now.
I have been on pretnisone (before lyme treatment), I have been on bendyl, I have been on every anti-hystimine, but enevidably they ALWAYS come back.
My LLMD suggested valtrex. Even though I don't have "herpes" per say-I did have shingles and mono which are both part of that family.
Sure enough within 24 hours they went away. NO JOKE. I was broke out for 8 months straight. Took every single test possible, including upper and lower gi's, literally everything. They couldn't figure it out.
My LLMD wants to get to the bottom of it when I am done with treatment, so until then I just valtrex. It must be true valtrex no generics. The only down side for me is that it makes me gain weight, so I really try and take the least amount possible. I lose the weight as soon as I stop takig it though.
The hives are also worse around that time of the month-I don't know if you're female but just a side note I guess.
Good luck
Lindsay
Posted by Ruth Ruth (Member # 11059) on :
What does the valtrex do?
Posted by Melanie Reber (Member # 3707) on :
So sorry sugar-plum!
You might want to try some Aveno oatmeal stuff in those warm baths...it does help with skin issues, but leaves a mess to clean up.
I guess the mess would be more tolerable than the hives?
IF, you think it could be fungal in anyway...noxema will help with the itch too. It may burn a bit at first, but eventually it will subside.
Perhaps, try it on one of them and see what happens?
Keeping you close in thoughts, and will see ya soon.
Much love, M
Posted by trails (Member # 1620) on :
UPDATE---> NO hives last night!!
was it coz i drank beer??
Posted by ArtistDi (Member # 2297) on :
Hi, I emailed you and here is some information on mastocytosis, which (Marnie was on to with the histamine)--
Mastocytosis: What It Is and How It's Diagnosed and Treated Printer-friendly version Email this article Spanish / Espa�ol What is mastocytosis? The most common form of mastocytosis (say "mass-toe-sigh-toe-sis") is a disease of the skin. In very rare cases, mastocytosis can affect other parts of the body, like the stomach, the intestines and the bone marrow. This condition results when a person has too many mast cells.
Mastocytosis can occur in people of any age. It's more serious in adults. It's usually mild in children, and they often outgrow it.
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What are mast cells? Mast cells are a kind of blood cell made by your bone marrow. They're part of your immune system that helps you fight off infections. There are more of these cells in the skin, the lungs and the intestines than in other parts of your body. Mast cells make a chemical called histamine. Normally, this chemical serves as a kind of alarm to let the immune system know that an infection is attacking part of the body. Histamine can cause swelling, itching and redness when your body reacts to something like an insect bite or a bee sting.
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What causes mastocytosis? We don't know why some people have too many mast cells. We do know some things that trigger the release of histamine from mast cells and cause the symptoms of mastocytosis. Symptoms may be triggered by cold or heat, certain medicines, emotional stress and insect bites. The triggers aren't the same in every person.
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What are the symptoms of mastocytosis?
Possible symptoms of mastocytosis
Red, itchy rash Rash that looks like freckles Hives One large lump on the skin Diarrhea Stomach pain Fainting Difficulty breathing
The symptoms are different, depending on where the extra mast cells are. If there are too many mast cells in your skin, you might have a red and itchy rash. You could get hives or have a rash that looks like freckles. If you rub the rash, it may get red and swollen. Sometimes the mast cells collect at one spot in your skin and cause one large lump.
If the mast cells are in your stomach and intestines, you might have diarrhea and stomach pain. However, this is rare.
In some people, the extra mast cells cause a serious reaction, like a bad allergy reaction. Their blood pressure may suddenly drop to a low level, causing them to faint. They may have trouble breathing. This reaction can cause death if treatment isn't started right away. This kind of serious reaction is very rare.
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How does my doctor know I have mastocytosis? The symptoms of mastocytosis can be like the symptoms of many other health problems. Your doctor may do a skin biopsy to find out what is causing your symptoms. To do a biopsy, your doctor removes a small piece of skin and puts it under a microscope to look for extra mast cells. When an adult gets mastocytosis, a bone marrow biopsy may be needed to look for other blood diseases that might come along with the mastocytosis.
If you don't have a rash but you have other symptoms, like diarrhea, your doctor may do a blood test or a urine test.
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Can mastocytosis be treated? Yes. Treatment can stop your mast cells from releasing histamine. It can also keep the histamine from causing problems. If your symptoms are severe, you should get treatment.
Antihistamines, which are often used to treat allergies, are helpful. If a rash bothers you, your doctor may suggest that you be treated with ultraviolet light. If you have diarrhea, an oral version (taken by mouth) of a medicine called cromolyn (brand name: Gastrocrom) may help.
The best treatment for mastocytosis may be to stay away from the things that seem to trigger your symptoms. It may help if you and your doctor list all the things that cause your symptoms. Did your symptoms start after you were exposed to heat or cold? Felt emotional stress? Took a certain medicine? Got an insect bite? Share what you learn with your doctor.
Because mastocytosis can cause a severe allergy reaction in some people, it's a good idea to keep an emergency kit with you at all times so you can give yourself medicine to stop a bad reaction.
Printer-friendly version Email this article Spanish / Espa�ol
This article provides a general overview on this topic and may not apply to everyone. To find out if this article applies to you and to get more information on this subject, talk to your family doctor.
Copyright � 2006 American Academy of Family Physicians For private, noncommercial use only. Home | Privacy Policy | Contact Us | About This Site | What's New
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Posted by trails (Member # 1620) on :
Thanks artistdi!
I do think mast cells are OBVIOUSLY involved. For now I have bigger fish to fry-- major surgery on friday-- so I wont be persuing the why of hives. Am just glad they are gone for now!
Posted by trails (Member # 1620) on :
I SPOKE TOO SOOOOOON!
the hives came back tonight around 6pm with avengence!
2 hours earlier i had my usual Theralac and kefir (made with organic whole milk)
I am now suspecting the milk--but this did NOT set off previous epidsodes.
round and round we go.
Posted by treepatrol (Member # 4117) on :
Could be yeast kicking up over reaction to immune system try cutting all sugars for a few days that includes breads,potatoes,milk,etc.
Posted by Melanie Reber (Member # 3707) on :
Hey kiddo,
I did some consulting with "our nurse" and she clued me in to Circadian Rhythms.
Then, I did some digging in that area, and came up with a few things for you to consider...the last citation looks like something Marnie could interpret
See ya soon, M
Circadian Rhythms
``Circadian rhythms are regular changes in mental and physical characteristics that occur in the course of a day (circadian is Latin for "around a day"). Most circadian rhythms are controlled by the body's biological "clock." This clock, called the suprachiasmatic nucleus or SCN, is actually a pair of pinhead-sized brain structures that together contain about 20,000 neurons. The SCN rests in a part of the brain called the hypothalamus, just above the point where the optic nerves cross. Light that reaches photoreceptors in the retina (a tissue at the back of the eye) creates signals that travel along the optic nerve to the SCN.''
``The pharmaceutical industry is now investigating the importance of circadian rhythms for the timing of drug delivery and is interested in developing drugs that could affect the circadian clock of humans, as well as agricultural plants and animals. Numerous health problems, including some forms of depression as well as many sleep, neurological, cardiovascular and endocrine disorders, have recently been associated with circadian rhythm dysfunctions.''
--- ``Many tissues in mammals, e.g., liver and skeletal muscle, have endogenous clocks. But all of these are under the control (more or less, see note) of a "master clock", the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) -- clusters of neurons in the hypothalamus. Small wonder, then, that the blood levels of hormones * synthesized in the hypothalamus, e.g. arginine vasopressin (also called the antidiuretic hormone, ADH) or * whose secretion is controlled by the hypothalamus such as o growth hormone and o cortisol have strong circadian rhythms.''
-- ``This specificity is lacking in the stress reaction, the adrenergic response of which is beneficial in preventing overaction. Hence, the clinical use of adrenalin in anaphylaxis, and other immediate hypersensitivity reactions and glucocorticosteriods in less immediate reactions and in immunologically mediated diseases. The perception of and consequent reaction to ``stressful situations'' resulting in hives and occasionally even angioedema in susceptible individuals is related to the non-specificity of the stress reaction in which even memory images and events are handled as real stimuli. Anything encountered objectively or subjectively affects the organism somatically as well as psychologically to the degree it threatens the homeostasis of perceived self.''
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There is an herbal concentrate from the Stevia plant I buy from sweetleaf/wisdom naturals. It's like a dark brown syrup that smells like licorice. I read a book called the Miracle of Stevia that listed all these anecdotal remedies using the stuff including healing the skin. So, I smeared it on and viola! no itch! But I found that it wasn't too cute to wear on my face unless I thinned it out with water... kind of like a quick fake tan ![[Roll Eyes]](rolleyes.gif)
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