Hello. I haven’t been formally diagnosed with cholinergic urticaria but have all the described symptoms, with the exception that my hives are never raised (they appear, but as dots under my skin). I have seen a dermatologist, neurologist, and an allergist, and no one has had an answer.
The dermatologist said it’s neurological, neurologist said it is dermatology that should see me, and the allergist said that I’m experiencing food intolerances. All of my symptoms, including reduced sweat, started the day after I had carpal tunnel surgery.
My hives never itch but are intensely painful stinging/burning. Literally the day before surgery I was sweating a lot as usual doing things around the house. I literally on a daily basis would sweat from my head, through my shirt, socks, etc., and now go weeks between any sweat at all.
I started the diet, did it for just under 4 weeks, and saw no improvement. Neurologist said it wasn’t related to my diet then, and I went back to eating everything and noticed I can no longer eat things I use to eat daily: ketchup, mustard, Italian dressing, pizza, without my head stinging.
My hives got significantly worse, and I went back on the diet. The hives calmed down but only to the level they were before, and it’s been three weeks again. My thought was a diet won’t cause mine to stop but it can definitely make it worse if I eat certain foods.
Any suggestions or thoughts? When should I try to reintroduce foods and how long would it take to know something is safe? Any reply is appreciated.
Thank you,
Shaun
Sue says
1 – Did your allergist do a FOOD allergy skin test on you? If not, that’s the best way to know if you have a food allergy. Sometimes it’s a protein that may be hidden in the food, like an ingredient. For example, I’m allergic to sunny side up eggs but not scrambled eggs. I told my allergist and he said it was because raw egg yoke contains a protein that only breaks down when fully cooked. Oddly enough it’s the same protein found is shellfish and roaches! Two other things I’m allergic to. So beware of the tiniest things in your food.
2- Do you have an autoimmune disorder? I’ve noticed that a lot of people with, for example, Thyroid disorders tend to get hives. The doctor (Endocrinologist) says she’s noticed the same thing in her Thyroid patients. I’m convinced these issues are related but can’t find proof. So if you have any autoimmune disorder, this might be related. My thinking is that perhaps since autoimmune disorders are basically your body attacking itself, that when you come in contact with something you’re even a little sensitive to, the histimines go crazy and then your body doesn’t shut it off, it attacks itself. Your body is already having autoimmune issues so it’s not a big leap to think that it would do the same with releaseing histimines.
3- Start an organic diet, eliminate processed foods and wheat products. The big one for me was meats and dairy. Organic no-hormone/non-antibiotic dairy products is what you want!!! Try to stay away from soy as well. Read every single lable on the foods you eat becasue lets face it, you will probably have some processed food at some time. For some reason the US loves to put soy something or other in foods. You’ll find it in the strangest places. Also, anything natural and organic is ALWAYS better than something synthetic even if it’s butter. Yes butter is fatty and not good in large quantities but it’s better than that fake butter with zero calories. You know what naturally has zero calories? WATER! So if anything else says it’s zero calories don’t eat it or drink it.
4- Just to be on the safe side, use natural cleaning products, laundry detergent, soap, dish soap, etc. Stay away from anything synthetic including scented creams, perfumes, etc. So no more Lysol or Fabreeze sprays etc. Just have a quick look online. Clean with gloves and a mask on just in case you’re allergic to dust like me. You can get a mask in Home depot.
5- If you take vitamins or supplements, make sure you aren’t over dosing on anything and that you are using organic high quality stuff. None of this Centrum stuff. I recommend the following brands: Garden of Life, Gaia Herbs, and Nature’s Answer.
Obviously you should not take any vitamins or supplements without talking to your doctor, specifically your allergist, and make sure they know if your on any meds. These suggestions are after nearly 20 years of dealing with autoimmune disorders and 15 years or so of on an off again hives. Good luck.
Anonymous says
Thank you so much for replying. So funny you mentioned the Endocrinologost because that’s where they are referring me to next. I had a couple of things they said were abnormal in my 24 hour urine test. But I think they already tested my thyroid. As for the alergist, I tried more than once to get that test and they repeatedly told me there’s nothing they can test me for because what I have experienced are food intolerances. Thanks again I appreciate anyone taking the time to reply.
Sheree Bunch says
Shaun. Did u ever figure it out? Our son had hip surgery. Use to sweat like crazy. Like you said it’s like the sweat glands don’t work when the sweat doesn’t come he has burning stinging red bumps etc We’re looking for answers also
Shaun says
Hello, no I haven’t figured it out. I’m sorry to hear about your son. I am hoping that I learn something from the endocrinologist. The dermatologist and the GP think it is somehow related to the surgery but there is no way for them determine it. They have tested everything imaginable though including MRI and can’t find another cause. The only thing that changed was the surgery. I only know it literally started the next day as I mentioned above I was sweating as usual the day before. I will update if I learn anything and please do the same.
Thanks, Shaun
Baylee duncan says
Hello, this may not be the proper place to post this, but im curious. I went to the doctor yesterday (im in the army) and she told me I have cholinergic urticaria. I looked it up and I have all the triggers for my itchiness, but I don’t have hives, and sweating doesn’t make it magically go away like it seems to do for the rest of you. also mine don’t last for an hour, if I step outside for 5 minutes it goes away. im currently in Romania and that’s where it started about a month and a half ago. it was horrible at first but then at some point I could go do a full workout in the gym with no itchiness, unless running on the treadmill. I then went to Germany and it seemed to be happening less and less, and finally a couple days ago I get back to Romania and it’s so much worse, could barely go in the gym before I itched like crazy. I guess im just curious if this is common and this is what I actually have, she didn’t run any tests on me she just diagnosed me based off symptoms. ex hot showers, spicy food, stress, and exercise. I’d like to know if this is what I actually have because since im in the army I need to be properly diagnosed since I have to workout every day.