I am 14, and I have had cholinergic urticaria since I was 11. I am currently actively attempting to play both Football and Basketball, but I feel intense pain every time I do over the first 5 – 10 minutes before it settles down (when I begin to sweat and then it becomes manageable).
I have had brief periods in which it has gone completely. For example, in the summer with constant exposure to sun, I believe that it must have desensitized me, but once it becomes winter again the condition returns noticeably worse than before.
I have experimented with many different lotions, antihistamines and seen doctors many times. Next I am going to attempt to purchase a portable steam sauna as the only thing that has helped before is increasing my sweat levels.
I am hoping that this will desensitize me further and maybe even get rid of it, at least if I continue to use it. In the meanwhile I would like to ask does anyone else have anything that has proven to be helpful to them?
Thanks,
Folarin
Helper says
I’m really sorry to hear you’ve suffered with this for so long. It can be a real pain and make you feel pretty down. When I gave up on antihistamines, I resorted to changing diet.
Histamines are released by mast cells due to an allergic reaction. Therefore it makes sense to work out what’s causing the histamine release, and henceforth the rash/ itching. Rather than taking medication, try eliminating products from your diet. You can develop new food allergies at random ages in your life.
I realised it was dairy that caused my condition. I eliminated dairy from my diet and haven’t even taken any medication since. So when I was taking antihistamines, I’d then be (unknowingly) eating foods that I’m allergic to, causing histamine release and then a rash.
Give eliminating dairy/ gluten or other potential allergens one at a time, and see how it is in the following 3 weeks. If it doesn’t improve, try the next thing.
This may not be the cause but it very easily could be! Good luck, and hope this problem eventually leaves you alone :).
Folarin says
I have previously tried the elimination method already and have tested with eliminating Gluten, Dairy and also I have tried a low salicylate diet all to no avail, Also during periods where the symptoms have sort of completely disappeared for example when I was on holiday in the US and also when I was in Nigeria (both hotter climates) they have always returned once I get back to England. Could this have anything to do with it? My GP has recently referred ,me to a dermatologist and I hope for good results.
Helper says
Hmm…
The only thing I can think of that might help you is some alternative methods of relieving symptoms.
If cooler weather causes the problem to worsen, you could try having daily very cold showers. If it’s definitely heat, try daily very hot showers to induce the itching/ rash, which can then exhaust your immune system for the day.
Other medications you can try include Doxepin. I’ve tried Doxepin when my hives were at their worst. It has antihistemic properties far stronger than ordinary antihistamines, however it will make you very drowsy for the first 2 weeks of taking it, even at only 25mg.
Also consider other environmental changes that cause the problem to worsen. Do you have pets at home? If so, when your on holiday, the potential allergen of pet hair may be out of the equation, causing the urticaria to diminish. Even stress can be a factor that makes it worsen.
Hope this helps! It may naturally diminish on its own in time. Good luck at the dermatologist. 🙂
Folarin says
Thanks for the reply, I will look into Doxepin. I will start to attempt with the showers and thanks for the well wishes, I also hope all goes well at the dermatologist.