Has anyone experimented with salt intake?
I was diagnosed with CIU (chronic idiopathic urticaria) July 2022, after 2 ER trips, months wasted on uncomfortably high anti-histamine dosages, and several specialists - derm, GI, allergist - all with competing takes on the underlying cause.
The dermatologist took a biopsy, concluding high eosinophil count and deep inflammation. No vasculitis, unlikely immune condition. Their best guess was a hyperimmune response set about by a reaction to the Covid vaccine or Covid exposure.
My GI suggested IBS, my PCP said I was 'off the map.' My allergist said I was SOOL, and that there was no cause, this was just how it was now.
Being a data analyst and technology researcher, and holding an unmovably firm belief in causality (there is ALWAYS a cause), I immediately set about combing the internet, contacting providers, and hitting up med school friends for any information I could get on CIU or allergic responses.
I looked at SIBO, I thought about parasites my outdoor cat might have given me, I considered food allergies.
I put together intensely detailed food, bowel, sleep and activity journals...and found three VERY intriguing trends.
1) Each hive flareup was preceded with ibuprofen intake. But it was (consistently) gradual. The first episode I had taken two ibuprofen 4 hrs prior. The second, 2 hours prior. The third, within 1 hour. However, I stopped taking ibuprofen and the hives continued...inconsistent with drug reactions.
2) My bowel movements had direct impacts on the strength and generalization of my hives. If I didn't poop for 3 days, my hives got progressively worse. Then when I pooped, I had a reliable 24 hours of hive relief. This is yet to be investigated fully, due to a lack of providers where I live.
3) SALT INTAKE. I never realized until this month how high my salt intake had been. The recommended daily salt intake is 2300 mg/day. I was AVERAGING 3500-5000!!! Once I started tracking salt alongside my food journal, I noticed a strong, and I mean near 1:1 relationship between salt intake and hives, acne (that had developed coincidentally), eczema (developed coincidentally). Once I began limited my salt to under 2000 mg, everything started getting better.
My face began clearing up, my itchiness dulled, my snoring stopped, my sleep improved. So I did a quick Google...and it turns out this is a KNOWN relationship. 2019 is filled with articles such as this: https://european-biotechnology.com/up-to-date/latest-news/news/how-salt-triggers-allergy.html.
So my question: has anyone else tracked or varied their salt intake and recorded their histamine responses? I strongly believe I'm onto something here.
High salt intake, combined with long eating windows would impact the bowels negatively by preventing the repair of intestinal lining and encouraging gut biome imbalances. Maybe this erodes intestinal lining, creates IBS-like or SIBO symptoms and leads to a sustained immune response?
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This is quite interesting. You have certainly done a great deal of research on this subject.
I love how you tracked your progress/symptoms through journaling.
I had to lower my salt intake recently due to other health issues and I have certainly noticed a difference.
I do hope others will chime in here with their perspective/experiences.
~Doreen (Team Member)
I developed hives after the covid booster. I originally took the Johnson & Johnson vaccine because I have known sensitivities to pets and makeup in addition to dust/mold/pollen, but it was not available for the booster and I live in an over-62 community. My son the epidemiologist claims the probability is about .01% for the general population. Zyrtec was also helpful during allergy season. I learned to avoid NSAIDs of all kind and wear loose clothing, which kept me mostly housebound.
After about three months with no hives, I had a recurrence two days after a shrimp dinner which only subsided when I returned to the dermatologist about a month later for a steroid shot. Ihave refused Xolair and Dupixent shots: they are expensive, inconvenient, and may not cure the condition. I use refrigerated Sarna Sensitive when the itching gets annoying and CeraVe after showers. I have bought loose clothing that I can wear for different occasions outside the house, added a morning multivitamin, and drink lots of water. The next time I try to get off Zyrtec I will taper off and be prepared for the itching..This is fascinating, and one thing I haven't specifically tracked yet. I will have to start looking at my salt intake and read more!
For me, I know that mine have a hormone tie-in. I first started getting heat-based hives, but only occasionally, following the covid shots (Moderna). They would only come when really warm and at certain points in my menstrual cycle. After trying out a new hormone med in the Fall for low iron and perimenopause issues, they have now escalated to happening anytime I get warm (exercise, shower, post-shower warming up, long sleeves, etc).
Combining an H1 and H2 antihistamine is helping a lot, but they're still not gone and I don't feel like that's a good long-term solution. I'm also having lips swelling/bumps issues that seem like they might be histamine-related as well. It feels like it happens so inconsistently. Might as well track another thing if there's any chance it could help!
Ive been pretty convinced that mine started with the covid injections, i apparently according to my dermatologist an abundance...she mentioned chronic idiopathic spontaneous aquagenic urticaria...i asked her which one did i have...she said all...youre special. Who wants to be that special? !......im in agony after a shower, or sweating, i cant sleep anywhere but in a chair, im on xolair, have been for 6 months, had my last injection, tempered it a bit , so i didnt feel completely suicidal, but i dread the shower, i dread my bed, i live in a loose dressing gown, get dressed when i have to, dread that as well....ive researched til im blind, just adds to more confusion. , Trying to pinpoint triggers...
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I'm sorry to hear how challenging it has been for you.
I responded to a previous post where you mentioned you can only sleep in your chair. My heart goes out to you.
I hope to goodness you can find some answers (and relief) soon.
Sending tons of positive thoughts your way, Doreen (Team Member)
