I recently saw a patient who came to me with hives.
A functional medicine approach to treating hives (also known as urticaria) aims to address the root cause of the condition rather than merely managing symptoms. Functional medicine considers a variety of factors including diet, lifestyle, environment, and underlying health conditions that could be contributing to the hives.
1. Identifying Triggers and Root Causes
Functional medicine looks for what might be driving the hives, such as:
Food Sensitivities: I usually perform a food allergy test to include IgE (food allergy) and IgG, IgG4, and complement.
Allergies: Because environmental allergens (dust, pollen, mold, pet dander) may trigger hives, I usually recommend patients to consider respiratory allergy tests.
Gut Health Imbalance: Because conditions like leaky gut or dysbiosis (imbalance of gut bacteria) can result in food particle (molecules) to cross over, it can trigger hives.
Chronic Infections: Underlying infections (such as candida, H. pylori, or viral infections) can sometimes provoke an immune response resulting in hives.
Toxin Exposure: Chemicals, heavy metals, or other environmental toxins might play a role in immune dysregulation.
Stress and Hormonal Imbalances: Stress or conditions like adrenal fatigue, thyroid issues, or hormonal fluctuations can trigger hives.
2. Testing and Diagnostics
For this patient, below tests were chosen to start with:
Comprehensive Stool Testing to check gut health
Food Allergen test
3. Dietary Interventions
Elimination Diet: Removing common allergens and inflammatory foods like gluten, dairy, soy, and sugar, then gradually reintroducing them to identify any triggers.
Anti-inflammatory Diet - low carbohydrate diet promoting ketosis consistent with Duke Keto Diet developed by Eric Westman MD at Duke University
Results:
complete resolution of hives on keto diet and elimination diet based on food allergy list
Comments