Vitamin D Proves Relief for Chronic Hives
Chronic hives is an allergic skin condition that consists of a series of red, itchy welts on the skin and sometimes swelling.
Those suffering from the condition may see symptoms daily that can last longer than six weeks, even years in some cases.
The two-year study, led by Dr. Jill Poole, an associate professor in the UNMC Department of Internal Medicine, was published in the Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.
It documented the role of vitamin D3 supplements in the treatment of chronic hives.
Over a 12 week study period, 38 participants took a triple-drug combination of allergy medications for hives along with one vitamin D3 tablet.
Half the patients were administered 600 IUs of vitamin D3 while the other half received 4000 IUs.
After one week, researchers found that the severity of symptoms dropped by 33 percent in both groups, showing no differentiation between the vitamin D3 groups.
However, by the end of three months, the group taking the high dose of vitamin D3 had showed an additional drop in symptom severity of 40 percent.
This is compared to the low level vitamin D3 group which showed no further improvement after the initial effects observed after one week.
“We consider the results in patients a significant improvement,” Dr. Poole said. “This higher dosing of readily available vitamin D3 shows promise without adverse effects.
Patients in the study ranged from having experienced severe hives for 5 to 20 years. They had undergone varied past therapies.
While scientists currently don’t understand what causes hives, allergy and autoimmune reactions are thought to play a role.
While no cure is available, some natural treatment methods have proved to be somewhat effective.
Optimum vitamin D are important with all health conditions and regular testing is encouraged. To find out your Vitamin D levels, click here.
Further Reading:
- Low Vitamin D Increases Your Risk of Type 2 Diabetes
- Sunlight Vitamin Holds The Key To Autoimmune Disease
- Research Insight – Vitamin D Needed for Gene Health
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