Hives are usually an allergic reaction to certain foods or drugs. Vitamin D is a common supplement, and although there are specific symptoms associated with toxic overdoses, hives is not one of them. Vitamin D 1000 IU is just above the recommended daily value for a healthy adult, a quantity that is not associated with any side effects. You should consult your physician before you start taking any supplements.
Hives
Hives is characterized by a raised, red swelling on the skin. When you have an allergic reaction, your body releases histamine, which causes itching and swelling among other symptoms. When hives manifest on the face, especially around the lips and eyes, they are called angioedema. Hives and angioedema are usually harmless and leave no scars, even without treatment. However, serious angioedema can be life threatening if the swelling causes your tongue or throat to block the way to your lungs.
Treatment
If your symptoms are mild, it may not be necessary to take any medications; many cases of hives and angioedema clear up by themselves. Mayo Clinic experts report that the typical treatment for hives is antihistamine drugs. They relieve the symptoms of histamine release, primarily the swelling and itching. Over-the-counter and prescription antihistamine drugs are available but both can cause drowsiness. You should not take them while driving or doing any activity that requires physical or mental alertness. For severe cases, your doctor can prescribe oral corticosteroids as well.
Vitamin D
While vitamin D is of paramount importance for your bone health and calcium metabolism, scientists have discovered new and unexpected properties. A study published in the journal "Current Opinion in Nephrology and Hypertension" reports that vitamin D is essential for cardiovascular health and its deficiency is linked with diabetes, hypertension and coronary heart disease. However, large doses of this nutrient could cause several neurological and digestive symptoms, such as irritability, muscle weakness, vomiting and fatigue. Although the exact dosage that actually triggers such disorders is not well defined, 1,000 IU is still a safe amount. Scientists from Boston University published a study in the "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition" reporting that healthy men can take between 3,000 and 5,000 IU of vitamin D per day without any adverse symptoms.
Overdose Treatment and Prevention
If you experience any of the vitamin D overdose symptoms while taking vitamin D supplements, Mayo Clinic doctor Katherine Zetrasky recommends that you discontinue your supplements. This should alleviate the symptoms and restore the biochemical balance in your body. Hospitalization may be necessary only in severe cases.
The best prevention is to keep your daily doses within the daily recommended limits. Linus Pauling experts recommend 600 IU per day for healthy adults. If you are deficient, your doctor can prescribe higher therapeutic doses while he monitors the levels of vitamin D in your blood on a regular basis.
References
- Linus Pauling Institute; Vitamin D; June 2011
- MedlinePlus; Hives; August 2011
- PubMed Health; Hypervitaminosis D; November 2009
- "The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition"; Human Serum 25-hydroxycholecalciferol Response to Extended Oral Dosing With Cholecalciferol; R.P. Heaney et al.; January 2003
- "Current Opinion in Nephrology and Hypertension"; Vitamin D and Cardiovascular Disease; S.R. Motiwala and T.J. Wang; July 2011
- MayoClinic.com; Vitamin D Toxicity: What If You Get Too Much?; Katherine Zeratsky R.P.; August 2011
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