There has been a lot of great discussions on the website regarding what could be causing the hives. It still seems like doctors really don’t know exactly what causes cholinergic urticaria. Is it an allergy? Is it autoimmune? Is this something that happens genetically? Is it due to an unknown infection? Not enough sun exposure or outdoor activity?
Perhaps it is different for each of us, or perhaps the same issue causes this in everyone? Who knows. It is difficult to tell at this point, but I remain optimistic that eventually we will figure it out in some way, and hopefully be able to get over this and help others as well.
To be honest, I tend to flip flop. Sometimes I think allergy. Sometimes I think maybe sun exposure. Sometimes I think it is autoimmune. Sometimes I think it is multiple factors. So I have no idea. There has been a great thread on the cholinergic urticaria forum lately about the possibility of a dust mite allergy causing Cu (at least in some cases). It is certainly interesting that 2 people have confirmed a high dust mite allergy reaction, and one has had some great success removing dust mite harboring fabrics.
It would be great if this was just caused by something that could easily be avoided or treated, so we could move on with our lives and stop itching. If my CU ever goes away, I hope I never get one single itch the rest of my life. I will never again take sweating for granted.
UPDATE: There was a poll embedded, but it is no longer active.