Anyone fly with Urticaria

[MJR]

Has anyone with this condition noted an exacerbation of the symptons when flying commercially?

cheers

[Stop Stop Stop]

I had this condition about three years ago. It appeared suddenly (actually overnight- I thought I had been bitten by something in a Glasgow Hotel and complained) and gradually got worse, including angio-oedema (swelling) of my lips. I was referred to see a dermatologist who advised I took zirtek. This offered some relief but was certainly not clearing up the urticaria or angio-oedema. My AME was unconcerned about this medication.

My condition deteriorated over about six months and the dermatologist I was seeing referred me to another dermatologist in London who is one of the world's leading experts in urticaria. This doctor advised that zirtek was not ideal in view of my career (although I never had any side effects such as drowsiness) and instead put me on a course of two different anti-histamines at precise doses and (unusually) a drug prescribed for stomach ulcers. These drugs were (she said) acceptable to the CAA as she had had previous dealings.

I took these drugs for about six months and I saw an immediate improvement in the symptoms, if not a cure. After six months, the time between the urticarial attacks increased and exactly a year after I was first diagnosed, I was totally clear, needing no further medication. I have had no re-occurrance of the symptoms since. My AME was kept advised of the various developments and was unconcerned provided I had no drowsiness from the drugs (which I didn't). During this time, I kept flying and had no problems associated, other than being covered in hives at times or having a 'fat lip.'

I hope this helps... if you want more information or the doctor's address then please e mail me.

[Rod Eddington]

MJR,

I used to have urticaria myself and was turned down from BA's cadet sponsorship because of it. They reckoned I wouldn't be able to get a class one whilst on Zirtek (Cetirizine - by far the best treatment in my experience) as it can cause drowsiness in some people. I wrote off to the CAA and got a letter back reccommending use of loratadine and/or fexofenodine (not too sure about the spelling!) which are both fine to use when flying. Not too sure how effective they are as my urticaria was gone before I got round to trying them. I think loratadine is available over the counter at a chemist (called Clarityn).

As for whether the symptoms are exacerbated by regular flying, I don't have 1st hand experience (as BA turned me down!) but the allergy specialist I spoke to said that it's possible any swelling (of lips or face) that occurs may be more severe at altitude.

Hope this is of some vague help!
Cheers
Rod :ok:

[Stop Stop Stop]

Rod, it is a pity that you did not get into BA as a result of your earlier urticaria. It is a pity that the BA medical board did not take some specialist advice, as I am sure that you could have quite happily worked with no problems at all. You are quite right in much of what you say. Ceterizine is frowned upon by the CAA (I personally had no problems or side effects with it and I don't think many do) but as you say, Fexofenadine (Telfast) and Loratidine (Clarityn) seem to be OK. However, you mention that Clarityn is available over the counter, which of course it is, but for succesful treatment of urticaria a much higher dose than usual is needed so a prescription is needed. Also Fexofenadine requires a higher than usual dose so some chemists have to order it in.

The other treatment, is a complementary treatment with the two drugs mentioned above, with the drug Cimetidine which is used for the treatment of stomach ulcers. A combination of these drugs in precise doses definitely does help the condition. Three months after taking the tablets (and you almost rattle there are so many!) my urticaria was gone.

I also suffered the swelling to the lips and eyelids that you mention (angio oedema) and I would typically wake up with a really fat lip, looking like I had had a slap the night before. After a couple of hours this typically went down, once the first of the days tablets had been taken. I never noticed any exacerbation of the symptoms during daily flying at altitude. It was more of an inconvenience, which is probably true of the suffering of urticaria in general.

If anyone suffers from urticaria I can recommend a consultant dermatologist who is a world authority in the disease and I will be happy to provide this person's name if you send me a private message.