Excessive scratching due to urticaria.

I sometimes gets spurts of urticaria and hence there is excessive scratching on hands and legs, which then start to bleed and leave dark marks. I have been eating Xyzal 5mg when it's one off, but in a recent episode which I'm still recovering from I have to eat 6 tabs a day for 2 weeks with no respite. I don't wish to take any steroids as that leads to severe other side effects as water retention in the body. I have also been prescribed Xerina cream to help reduce spots, which hasn't helped much. 2 questions : Would you recommend any changes in medication, especially during the worst episode. Any changes in the cream to reduce spots and reduce darkening of skin? PS : I usually get one of situations of urticaria once in 20 days. The worst episode has occurred after a year, not sure what triggers it.