Hello, my name is Matt. I was diagnosed with cholinergic urticaria about a month ago. It’s something I’ve had for years (I’m 19) without knowing what it was, always being told by my parents it was hormones.
So I have seen my local doctor he prescribed me the strongest antihistamines he could, but they had no effect. He then gave me steroids, which prevented the red rash from appearing on my skin, but I could still feel the usual stinging nettle sensation.
I’ve looked on here and various other sites and phototherapy has been mentioned multiple times. I’m curious to know if anyone has used phototherapy for cholinergic urticaria? If so, did it work? What was the treatment like?
-Matt
Hivesguy says
Hello, Matt.
Welcome to the forum. Sorry to hear about the cholinergic urticaria onset, but I hope you find this site beneficial.
Phototherapy has been discussed on this forum before, and I’ve written a brief article or two on it. It can be used as a treatment but with obvious side effects and expenses.
In a nutshell, they use special UV bulbs on the skin, which may help certain allergic skin conditions.
Lisa says
I too was diagnosed with this last August and have been on hydroxyzine combined with singulair. So far it did not do much of anything but cause extreme drowsiness. I thought I had tried everything over the counter when this first started, I came across an old post I think by hives guy on Allegra, I went out and bought it yesterday and took to of the 24 hour ones. I waited 40 minutes and took a hot shower ( I have not been able to since last August ) to my shock , I was able to stay in , I then started vacuuming and tore around the house like a mad woman, I cant believe that these pills are actually working for me, I have hope for the summer coming.!!!! Thank you hive guy and no more drowsy pills or asthma pills for me.
Lisa says
Sorry,, I must correct myself, it is me the Allegra gal, I took two of the fast acting 12 hour 60mg tablets. I too was scheduled to go downtown for the phototherapy, I am now pleased that I do not have to if this continues to work. Did this continue to work for hives guy?
Hivesguy says
Hello, Lisa.
So glad that you found relief from Allegra. Yes, it was always the antihistamine that worked best for me, but like most antihistamines, the effect did seem to wear off after a few weeks of taking it. However, after taking a break it for a while, I could then retake it with good results.
I don’t have to even take antihistamines to manage my hives today, thankfully. I did take an Allegra that I had left over a couple of weeks ago for a sneezing fit I had though. I highly recommend it for anyone with allergies/hives. However, people do respond differently to antihistamines, and it may not work well for everyone.
lisa says
Thanks for your info, it helped me tremendously, what in the end did you find workded best for you? or do you still suffer from this?
Hivesguy says
You’re welcome, Lisa. No, I no longer suffer from cholinergic urticaria as long as I stay on my current regimen, which includes my current low-allergy diet, exercise, and a few other things. I’ve written a book about all of this, and I’ve also written some about those things on this website. The biggest factor by far was my diet, but the other things do help as well.