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Digestive Disorders

Acid reflux and profound itching

05/02/2008

Question:

My 16 year old daughter has had chronic urticaria for the last 7 years (daily), mostly controlled by zyrtec. She has also been treated for acid reflux-30 mg prevacid 2x day for the last month. About the time the acid reflux symptoms surfaced, she also began to have bouts of profound itching in her throat, tongue, inner ear, and chest. Could all this be related?

Answer:

It is possible they could be related. Reflux esophageal disease has two components. One is the stomach going up the esophagus and the other component is the acid in the stomach. Prevacid blocs the acid (typically it is this that causes heartburn). However, blocking the acid does not prevent the stomach contents going up the esophagus and this could be causing the irritation of the throat and surrounding areas. ie ear,tongue

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Response by:

D Roy Ferguson, MD D Roy Ferguson, MD
Associate Professor of Medicine
School of Medicine
Case Western Reserve University