JaneJudge I have CIU (Chronic Ideopathic Urticaria), in other words, the medics have never figured out exactly why my body reacts the way it does. I take daily antihistamines and will be doing so until I die. Had to carry Epi-pens for years as my reactions were so severe. I still get the occasional reaction (never know why) and take Piriton on top of my usual meds when I do. I had reacted to prawns before this started but that was a āsimpleā allergy, and easily avoided by not eating prawns obviously.
My CIU started out of the blue one day when I was in my late 40s and I was in/out of hospital for the next five days (and infrequently over the next few years) until I was seen by dermatology as nothing A&E was doing was making any difference, and that was with me not eating and drinking only water. Was prescribed a mammoth course of steroids, along with antihistamines, could only eat very pure, plain foods for ages, e.g. steamed chicken, white rice. So I do understand where youāre coming from.
Oddly enough, in my case, my face was rarely affected, but I always got hives everywhere else, plus an awful wet sensation in my chest that brought on horrendous coughing bouts. Plus, really bad headaches and vomiting/diarrhoea. Was also prone to fainting because of low blood pressure. Not forgetting the āimpending sense of doomā.
I also have asthma (diagnosed in my 30s), take daily meds for that. And a particular form of alopecia (started in my 50s). I did worry for a while if I would develop something new in every decade but apart from arthritis (mostly in my hands) and IBS (periodically troublesome, and my own fault really when it is as Iāve eaten too much of certain foods), my body appears to have settled (definitely touched wood as I typed that š)
All this is just the joys of having a āworks in a weird wayā immune system as one Doc once quite jovially described it.
the quarter of the tin of milk chocolate covered almonds looks full and f***ing amazing 
