Cholinergic Urticaria (Chronic Heat Hives)-Cholinergic Urticaria.net I Get Itchy Heat Hives (Cholinergic Urticaria) When I Get Hot or Exercise

Hello Everyone,

I wanted to give a few quick updates, and also briefly discuss an interesting post on the forum as of recent.

My diet is still doing great, despite eating another pizza, and so forth. So I am very happy about that. As far as my Cholinergic Urticaria hives, they have been significantly better. If you recall from the last post, I had been trying to get more sun exposure, and I actually sweat some. This was an incredible feeling that I hadn’t felt in a while.

Since that time, my hives have still been great. I had a small reaction during a period of about 4-5 days when I couldn’t get sun exposure (due to rain & not having time). But when I got sun exposure again, not only did it make my hives better, I started to sweat even more. Afterward, I could do almost anything and I would not have an attack. I even did some push-ups outside which normally would have had me scratching like crazy.

And I know that it isn’t just from the acclimatization to the heat and humidity. When I turn on the AC in my apartment, I can get cold and then go back into the heat (or do physical activities) without a evoking a reaction for a few days. I tend to start getting more sensitive after a few days if I have not received adequate sun exposure.

I am becoming more and more convinced that the sun is the solution on how to keep cholinergic urticaria in check (at least for me). At this point, I am speculating that consistent daily safe sun exposure (except for rainy days) will not only get me sweating again, but will keep the hives gone as long as I keep it up. This may take a few months to achieve, but I think it can be done.

Granted, this isn’t always easy at this point in time. I realize I may have to suffer with the hives a little this winter since I won’t be able to get as much sun exposure as I would like right now. However, I am going to be hopefully getting a house within the next few months, and next year will be open game for daily sunshine.

I have already finally started to develop a very light brown base-line tan, and it feels great (and looks much better too). I am being very cautious, and I am preventing sunburns. I make sure that I don’t even get a little red, and so far I have been doing well with this (with the exception of 1 time I got barely red on the stomach, but it wasn’t what I would call a “burn”.

How Could UVB Rays Help Cholinergic Uritcaria?

A very interesting post on UVB was made by a new forum member a couple of days ago, outlining how UVB treatment (also called phototherapy), has helped them completely manage cholinergic urticaria. It has a lot of great information, and I highly recommend you check it out.

UVB is a type of ultraviolet radiation that occurs natually in the sun. It can also be produced with special bulbs that are manufactured to produce radiation in the UVB range. UVB is the radiation that causes your skin to tan (or burn), and you can get this from the sun most during the hours of 10-2.

This is really exciting to me because it proves a couple of things:

• That UVB does indeed have a direct effect on cholinergic urticaria (at least in this person’s case). This is evidenced by the fact that they experience no hives while getting treatment, but if they stop treatment, the hives can come back.
• They are able to live a normal life again, can sweat, and everything with no hives.
• It tells me that while Vitamin D may be beneficial, it isn’t the only factor involved. I think the actual radiation (from UVB), is also having a major effect, and not just the vitamin/hormone.
• It reinforces what is in my mind about the necessity to get regular “SAFE” levels of sunlight exposure. Or, if you cannot get UVB from the sun, you can get it artificially via the doctor or a safe tanning bed recommended by your dermatologist.

I have made several posts in the past about my theories of sunlight somehow being connected to this. I have speculated it could be something with Vitamin D (and I still suspect there may be some involvement), the photoperiod effect, and more.

But one interesting new piece of the puzzle that I discovered in the post was how UVB actually reduces the  number of inflammatory immune response cells in the skin. It reduces T-cells, and can alter the binding on mast cells and other things. It does this because the natural radiation that we absorb from the sun naturally has this affect on our bodies. We were created to get normal exposure to the sun, not live in a cave slathered up in sun screen all day.

This is something that had never occurred to me before, and now makes this whole cholinergic urticaria puzzle make a whole lot more sense. In my speculation, there is a cumulative collection of these immune inflammatory cells that accumulate during long periods of very little sunlight exposure (months or perhaps years).

This occurs due to the fact that during regular sun exposure periods, the immune system would be normally be regulated and the build-up of excessive cells in our skin would never happen. UVB on a regular basis would suppress this build-up, and break down the excessive immune cells, and also prevent excessive skin cells from clogging pores.

However, since there is an absence of appropriate UVB/sunlight exposure radiation for long periods, it causes the immune system to keep manufacturing these cells (which otherwise would be broken down by the radiation from the sun). They get deposited in our skin in ‘higher than normal” numbers. At this point, we are fine until our bodies heat up. When our bodies go to sweat, our brain sends a signal down to activate our sweat pores.

The brain sends these signals via chemical receptor responses (such as the neurotransmitter acetylcholine). When this chemical is released to activate our pores to sweat, it seems to degranulate the excessive mast cells/immune cells in our skin, and cause a rapid reaction of stinging and itching all over our bodies as the sweat attempts to get released.

I still speculate that there could also be an actual build-up of excessive skin cells as well, which may also inhibit the release of sweat and also contribute to cholinergic urticaria sensation. UVB even affects this, as it not only reduces immune cells, but it also helps to keep the actual skin cells from over-producing (which can lead to skin conditions such as Keratosis Pilaris, Psoriasis, and more).

Again the sunlight or UVB rays seems to potentially help CU in the following ways:

• It produces natural Vitamin D, which helps regulate over 2,000 genes. It also is vital to immune response.
• It produces UVB radiation which is shown to inhibit excessive skin cell production (which can lead to conditions like Keratosis Pilaris, Psoriasis, and more). It may also affect sweat pores and clog them.
• The UVB also inhibits excessive immune response cells from collecting in the skin (t-cells for example have been shown to reduce in numbers after UVB exposure in the skin).
• It gives you a nice tan!

That being said, obviously you need to watch out for sunburns, skin cancer, heat exhaustion, premature aging, etc. Those are all very serious risks that go along with getting any kind of regular sun exposure.

If you cannot get sun exposure where you live, then you do have other options. The post on the forum discusses the use of phototherapy at a dermatologists’ office. This is similar to a tanning bed, but with a much safer and controlled dose of the appropriate UVB rays.

So this is definitely interesting, and I think we should all be considering these things, and potentially even discussing them with doctors and dermatologists to hear what they have to say.

I know that I am going to try and get most of my exposure from the sun (which is more natural, and free!). But if I could not get it from the sun, I would absolutely consider a SAFE tanning bed that is specially made for UVB rays (by the recommendation of a local dermatologist or doctor), or I would get UVB treatment directly from a doctor. You can also buy equipment to give yourself UVB phototherapy, but I would strongly recommend you discuss this with a dermatologist.

Wow, if this turns out to be a safe way to manage cholinergic urticaria for life, that is going to be so awesome! I am already so optimistic and excited about one day being able to completely control the hives, and never having to let them interfere with my life again.

I am still going to be experimenting with sun exposure, and I hope to be able to discuss more about this soon. If anyone else tries phototherapy, or gets safe sun exposure, I would love to know if it helps your hives. So please drop me a line on the forum or in the comment section. I may also try and write more information on the theory above, and also discuss some more about UVB soon.

Sponsored Links

Posted under UVB Therapy

As always, I am thinking of potential theories of what causes cholinergic urticaria. As most of you know who read the blog & forum regularly, I am hoping sunlight exposure has something to do with it. So IF sunlight does have some involvement, I ask myself, “How does it effect us, and how could it cause Cholinergic Urticaria?” At this point, I still really think sunlight exposure is a HUGE factor.

Again, I base this on the fact that in a survey on sun exposure, the majority that have taken, so far 78 (and counting) say they get very little exposure. Also, my own experience in the past has shown that periods where I was exposed to lots of outdoors time, I had NO hives. When I stayed mostly indoors, my hives came back. Plus most medical articles suggest cholinergic urticaria often presents itself or gets worse during winter.

On top of that, you may remember my post on discovering that many of us have “Keratosis Pilaris,” which is an overgrowth of a skin protein (Keratin) that results in “bumpy skin.” Not only that, but many website articles indicate sunlight helps Keratosis Pilaris as well.

So after doing some research, I thought I would share some interesting things that could possibly be connected here, and explain WHY this is happening (if it is indeed the cause).

The Photoperiod Effect of Humans, Plants, and Animals

Have you ever noticed how bears hibernate in the winter? Or that dogs seem to lose fur during the summer? Or how about leaves dropping from trees?

You may be saying, “Okay, so what? Whats the big deal?” The truth is, the same thing is responsible for all of these events, the “Photoperiod Effect.” What is a photoperiod? Photoperiodicity is the physiological reaction of organisms to the length of day or night. It occurs in plants and animals. Not only is the period of light important (ie how many hours), but also the changes in the intensity of the light is also important.

The interesting thing is that the seasonal changes that occur as the Earth continues it cycle around the sun (and shifts on it’s axis) is the cause of the photoperiod and has drastic effects on humans, plants, and animals.

For example, a bear knows to hibernate not because of the cold weather, but because of the photoperiod change in which the bear’s pineal gland is sensitive to. Leaves fall due to the same change in photoperiod, and dogs grow more fur during a shorter photoperiod.

In fact, did you know that in your eyes, you have small light-sensitive cells that function to detect the light and transmit it to your glands in your brain? So merely being outside will cause your brain to get signals in hormone producing glands (such as the pineal gland, etc.).

What Kinds of Things Does the Photoperiod Control?

Photoperiod can cause the following changes in animals/plants:

• It regulates mating & reproduction in animals/plants
• Causes animals to hibernate, migrate, etc.
• It causes changes in fur/hair thickness, fur color, etc.
• It is known to help control, prevent certain diseases

I found various interesting scientific studies & articles related to the photoperiod effect online. One website discussed the health benefits of  being exposed to full spectrum sunlight. It discussed several interesting examples of how photoperiod/sunlight can affect cancer, fish eggs, etc.

Another interesting article talks about various health related topics in relation to the photoperiod. It specifically mentions the effect that light exposure has on producing hormones & chemicals such as melatonin.

Another article here discussed an experiment with rats & exposure to light. It seems that photoperiod exposure can also lead to changes in the effectiveness of organ protein levels.

An article here discussed how dogs experiencing seasonal alopecia (hairloss) was actually due to Follicular Keratosis which happened during a reduced photoperiod (people keep their pets indoors too much during winter). What do they recommend doing to treat the animal’s hairloss? Let it get outdoors more to produce more hormones & chemicals via sunlight/photoperiod exposure.

Sunlight Exposure, Photoperiod Effect, Cholinergic Urticaria, & Kertatosis Pilaris:

Okay, so let me tie this all together now. Hair is a form of keratin. Keratin is a protein found in the skin. We all have it, and there are many different “types” of keratin. Hair, nails, and skin cells are all different types of keratin.

In Keratosis Pilaris (something many Cholinergic Urticaria people seem to have), one of the keratin proteins are being over-produced by the body. This blocks skin follicules, and produces hard “plugs.”

Sunlight exposure (Photoperiod) is shown to affect keratin (hair) production in animals (it can increase and decrease it). Just like a dog can shed more hair or grow more hair. Keratin in the skin is just another type of Keratin (just like hair/fur is but 1 type).

When the body is exposed to sunlight, it signals various glands to release and regulate many vital hormones to the body. One person on the forum has found that they sometimes have hyperthyroid issues (hormonal). These hormones affect genes by telling them to “switch on” or “switch off.” This is why suddenly a dog’s hair gets thicker when it gets colder and the photoperiod is shortened.

This build-up of excess skin keratin/cells blocks our sweat glands. It causes Keratosis Pilaris, and for many, also cholinergic urticaria symptoms. The majority of the sweat pores are simply blocked by excessive tissue growth. Again, this is all due to our hormones and sunlight exposure being “out of whack.”

Therefore, when our body goes to release sweat, most pores are blocked. This results in a “stinging” sensation, and also causes us to itch. If we can “suffer” through the torture, sometimes the sweat can find its way out. That happens on really hot days, and if we really get hot. However, if our bodies continue to produce keratin, it will continue to block the pores.

How Am I Going to Do This Sun Exposure Thing?

We must be very careful when going outside for several reasons. I will make a larger post about this in a day or two. But we can overheat and die since we can’t sweat good. We can also risk skin cancer, sunburn, and other dangerous things.

What I have been doing is going out during the less intense sun periods of the day (usually between 2:30-6:00 pm). I try to get about 30 minutes-1 1/2 hours of natural light exposure. I sometimes take off my shirt for a few minutes to get a few more rays.

Again, I am very careful about this to avoid sunburn, etc. It is not yet hot enough to cause a sunburn at this time of year.

Since the eyes play an important role in absorbing light and regulating hormones, I remove my sunglasses for a least 15-30 minutes (again, don’t look at the sun or anything).

The idea & hope is that over time (IF this theory is true), something in my hormones will correct itself. My pores will open up, and cholinergic urticaria will go away. I estimate I should know for sure by mid summer if this works at all or not.

Conclusion:

Everything I said above could be completely WRONG! But I hope I am right. I hope that we can figure out what is causing this.

Even if sunlight exposure & photoperiod have nothing at all to do with Keratosis Pilaris or Cholinergic Urticaria, I still think it is interesting how it can affect our health. However, based on many articles, my own sunlight exposure history, and more, I think there is a link in all of this.

Just something to think about! Hopefully I will have the answer if this is true or not in the next 2-3 months.

Have any thoughts? Feel free to open a thread on the forum and discuss this.

Sponsored Links

Posted under hives theories