Still no hives, flushing is lessened

I am happy to report that for the past several weeks, I remain hives free. My heat rash/flushing has also reduced -- though, I have been avoiding spicy food which is a clear trigger. I am back to taking hot showers, and I still get a red flushed face after those, but it seems to be fading more quickly. I am no longer getting the red flushing on my lower legs, as I had in the past. I have been for the past 3 weeks been taking 1/2 the dose of the antidepressant for my anxiety from the dose that I was on during the 6.5 months that I had the chronic hives. Probably just coincidental, but want to just note that.

However, despite all of that good news to report -- my anxiety remains that I have some yet undiscovered allergy to something. Food? Chemicals? Molds?

I have been noticing that when I have milk (not cheese, but milk or cream), I get some congestion/mucous in my nose and throat for about an hour and then it passes. And the other night, I had some ice cream with dinner, and later while reading in bed, I got a slight headache and my heart rate increased to about 125-130 BPM for about 15 minutes, and then passed. I have been thinking about going back to the Allergist yet AGAIN to test for some specific food allergies -- so that I can know once and for all if I should avoid them.

I am also supposed to take a long-haul flight in a few months to another country, and I find myself worrying in anticipation and "what ifs."  What if the stress of the trip causes me a hives outbreak? What if I get a major hives outbreak and allergic reaction in a foreign country and need to see a doctor? Or what if that happens while I am on a plane over the ocean, since I can't "escape"?  For now, I am trying to not think about the trip and focus on what I can do between now and then to build my confidence. I will try to take a few short flights in the next couple of months, so that I can see what will happen with  those.

It is amazing the trauma and anxiety that 6.5 months of chronic urticaria has caused me. If it does return, I hope that I will be better prepared mentally to handle it better. I have been continuing to do yoga and practice meditation, and I think that has been beneficial.

Life... it's a marathon for sure.