Can a Cold, Sinus Infection, or Flu Shot Cause Cholinergic Urticaria Hives?
Post by: ldiablosv2000 on January 05, 2009, 04:27:38 PM
I was just thinking back to when I first started noticing my Cholinergic Urticaria and I realized it was around the same time I got my flu shot. Did anyone else get a flu shot before their outbreaks of Cholinergic Urticaria started?
It was also around the same time I got a full face exposure to military grade OC spray. Even though I doubt most people on the board ever experience it (count yourselves lucky), just out of curiosity, was anyone sprayed before they started to break out?
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Title: Re: Anyone else get a Flu Shot?
Post by: HivesGuy on January 05, 2009, 06:47:42 PM
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Quote from: ldiablosv2000 on January 05, 2009, 04:27:38 PM
I was just thinking back to when I first started noticing my Cholinergic Urticaria and I realized it was around the same time I got my flu shot. Did anyone else get a flu shot before their outbreaks of Cholinergic Urticaria started?
It was also around the same time I got a full face exposure to military grade OC spray. Even though I doubt most people on the board ever experience it (count yourselves lucky), just out of curiosity, was anyone sprayed before they started to break out?
Nope,
I have never had a flu shot, nor have I been sprayed. It sounds very painful though!
Anyone else?
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Title: Re: Anyone else get a Flu Shot?
Post by: dice on January 06, 2009, 07:35:37 AM
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Me neither, over here (UK) I believe they’re only given to people over the age of 60 (unless there’s a special requirement for it at a younger age).
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Title: Re: Anyone else get a Flu Shot?
Post by: billysielu on January 06, 2009, 10:46:29 AM
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nope dont think so
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Title: Re: Anyone else get a Flu Shot?
Post by: ldiablosv2000 on January 06, 2009, 11:09:07 AM
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Alright, I guess I can cross those off the list of possible Cholinergic Urticaria triggers. Thanks guys
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Title: Re: Anyone else get a Flu Shot?
Post by: Honkymagoo on April 23, 2009, 09:13:09 PM
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I’ve never had a flu shot in my life. Maybe just a coincidence.
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Title: Hives after cold
Post by: zkpd on November 30, 2010, 10:16:32 AM
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During the winter of my 10th grade, I received a cold and cough. After my sickness was gone, I decided to take a shower one day. Seeing as I like hot showers, I turned the temperature very high, which was a bad idea. Suddenly, I felt a prickling pain all over my body. I thought it was just my imagination because why would it occur out of nowhere.
After a few months of confusion, I finally found out that I had cholinergic urticaria. I began taking anti histamines like the doctor suggested, but it only lasted a while before they stopped working. I tried steroids, which only lasted a few days before they came back, even worse. I’ve also tried a few eastern medicines with no avail (they tasted terrible anyways). I’ve had these hives for about 5 years now, and still waiting for the day that it will go away.
I suppose it was hereditary, since my aunt and grandma had it, but they only had a slight itch. I guess I got the short end of the straw and got the painful one. Friends and family like to rush me into doing physical activities, but I try to tell them that it’s really painful to do so, and it annoys me so much when it seems like they just don’t understand what I go through in order to do things like that. In the summer, I can usually deal with it, since I can sweat out everyday easily.
But during the cold seasons, it just gets tough. It’s not only hard to sweat (my room has poor insulation), and I don’t really have time to exercise. These days, just taking a bite of a slightly spicy food or just walking to class will trigger a breakout. I’m quite desperate to find a way to cure this, and just like you guys, I’m waiting for the day when it will just go away. I’m glad that I found this forum because I thought no one understood how I felt and had the same mindset as I did. These hives have affected my life in so many ways. Hopefully this forum will help me.
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Title: Re: Ouch
Post by: HivesGuy on December 01, 2010, 05:05:41 PM
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Hey zkpd,
Excellent post and welcome to the forum. Yes, I know exactly how you feel in so many ways. I too just wait and wait and pray for this thing to go away sometime soon. It is so frustrating, and even more frustrating when we have to deal with it in a social setting.
I thought it was very interesting that your aunt and grandma had this as well, and it gives me some hope that we will all get better over time and enjoy a more “hives free” quality of life.
You’re certainly not alone, and I am glad you found the site so you can relate to others suffering. Thanks again for your great post, and welcome to the club!
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Title: Re: Ouch
Post by: Rogerq23 on December 03, 2010, 03:55:29 AM
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I understand when people do not believe you that if you do something it will be painful for you cuz of Cholinergic Urticaria if you do not explain them, they will ask you until you tell them. After you tell them they dont believe you or they start to think that you are a freak. Sad story for us…
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Title: Hives after sore throat?
Post by: theedi on May 01, 2011, 09:56:35 AM
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Hi,
I have sore throat without fever on 11th april and 2 days after that i notice hives appearing on my biceps, elbow, knees, thight, stomach areas. At first i thought this could be strep rash and immediately went to see doctor. The doctor said it is hives and not strep/scarlet rash. He precribed cetirizine and prednisolone for few days and after i took the meds the hives were gone. 2-3 days after i finish the meds the hives is back again! I went to see the same doctor again and he told me it could be something allergy like food but i have never had any food allergy before. He prescribed me the same meds again and samething happens 2-3 days after i finish the meds the hives come back! This time i have change my diet to see if it is the food causes it but seems it is not.
Could it be some virus caused sore throat and eventually cause hives?
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Title: Illness can retrigger hives ; no sweat issues
Post by: richardkimble on June 10, 2011, 01:42:34 PM
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Hello all! I’m a 34-year-old woman, diagnosed with cholinergic urticaria by my allergist two years ago after a miserable summer. I’ve always had seasonal/dust allergies and occasionally an associated (but mild) asthma.
My allergist suggested cetirizine (Zyrtec) and it worked like a charm — one a day kept the hives away. I’d have some general itchiness when temperatures were warm (80 degrees F or higher), but luckily I live in the Pacific NW so temps usually stay mild. I had two years without significant hives.
This winter I had a bout of bronchitis with a hacking cough that lasted 10 weeks. Just as it seemed I was getting better, my hives came back with a vengeance; on my arms, legs, stomach, and up the side of my face, making my eyelid swell. And the itching was terrible (as you all know) so that I couldn’t sleep for more than a few hours at a time. Good times!
I tried doubling my Zyrtec but that didn’t help, so I assumed my Zyrtec had stopped working and panicked. I tried fenxofenadine (Allegra) and loratadine (Claritin) with no effect, and diphenhydramine (Bendryl) and ranitidine (Zantac) which helped only a little. After three weeks of constant hives I went in to see my allergist. The first thing he asked was, “Have you been sick?”. He went on to explain that illnesses can retrigger hives, and that usually those retriggered hives will often only last three to four weeks. He recommended that I go back on the Zyrtec but at a dosage quite a bit higher than what I had been taking. And it worked! I’ve been hives free for about a month since then. *whew* I am planning to try to taper the amount of Zyrtec I take back down to one a day.
I wanted to share my story since it’s a little different than some of the ones I’ve read here — I’ve had no problems sweating, and “sweating it out” doesn’t help. I’ve never had hives in the winter, only the summer (or with hot showers / physical exertion). And it didn’t occur to me that my bronchitis had anything to do with the reoccurrence of the hives, so maybe someone will read this and make the connection.
Good luck everyone!
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Title: Re: Illness can retrigger hives ; no sweat issues
Post by: HivesGuy on June 12, 2011, 10:52:11 AM
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Thanks so much for sharing that story and welcome to the forum! It was interesting to read, and I hope your hives continue to stay in control for you.
What’s interesting is that I noticed when I got a fever or cold, it would send my hives through the roof! I guess because my body temp. was all out of sorts.
Good luck!
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Title: Re: Illness can retrigger hives ; no sweat issues
Post by: nowash on June 12, 2011, 11:43:29 AM
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That’s weird, sickness usually helps my hives. Helps my allergies too.
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Title: Re: Illness can retrigger hives ; no sweat issues
Post by: Blade_27 on June 14, 2011, 09:10:26 PM
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Richard I had a nasty bout with Cholinergic Urticaria for several years that left just as mysteriously as it started. A few months ago I had a bad cold once that cold had finally left it triggered my asthma which I’ve had a few times in the past. The asthma lasted a month, now that my asthma is gone once again. I’m now suffering from Cholinergic Urticaria attacks that I haven’t had in seven years!
This cold/respiratory infection could have had a bigger impact on me immune system and left my open for these previous aliments. In which case, hopefully 2 down {infection/asthma}, 1 to go.
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Title: RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) infection
Post by: nowash on September 27, 2011, 09:56:09 PM
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Just wondering if this might have anything to do with our disease and thought I might as well ask it.
I had a bad case of RSV when I was an infant.
You’ll have to vote to see the results.
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Title: RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus) infection
Post by: HivesGuy on September 28, 2011, 03:30:05 AM
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No, I have never had any serious respiratory infections.
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Title: Can a Cold, Sinus Infection, or Flu Shot Cause Cholinergic Urticaria Hives?
Post by: Claudia on April 24, 2012, 08:59:53 AM
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According to an article I’m reading:
Quote
Infections — Infections can cause hives in some people. In fact, viral infections cause more than 80 percent of all cases of acute hives in children. A variety of viruses can cause hives, even routine cold viruses. The hives seem to appear as the immune system begins to clear the infection, sometimes a week or more after the illness begins. The hives usually persist for a week or two and then disappear.
I know for a fact that within a week of contracting a sinus infection (may have been viral in origin), the hives suddenly appeared all over my arms. Does anyone else remember getting a really severe cold right before the hives started appearing on them?
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Title: Re: Cold Virus/Sinus Infection
Post by: HeatLad on April 24, 2012, 02:56:28 PM
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This in interesting but nope mine have been with me for over a year 🙁
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Title: New here and to this condition
Post by: apple345 on May 01, 2012, 11:44:21 AM
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I have been looking for answers for a while, and it seems like this is what I have.
I have always had a history of I guess sensitivity to heat … turning red after showers, etc. But nothing that I did not attribute to anything other than just sensitive skin and being pale.
A couple of weeks ago I came down with a really bad virus, knocked me out cold for a week or so, and with the fever came this bright red, burning and itchy rash all over my arms and torso. I went to the doctors, who said it was a virus, did a blood test, and said all I had was a virus.
I got better in a week, and the rash took its time fading but it is now gone. But now I notice that every time I get stressed, hot, emotional, or in the sun here it comes again. Usually it is just on my arms or my thighs and goes away within an hour. I don’t get welts or anything, but I am already on zyrtec daily for indoor and outdoor allergies.
I have a few questions and am wondering if anybody has input. Do you think I don’t get a more severe reaction because of the zyrtec? Do people double-up on different anti-histamines?
Has anybody else had this develop after a virus, like I did?
Does anybody know if there is a possible correlation between allergies and this condition? I am allergic to everything indoors (dust, pets, mold) and a lot of outdoor pollens – trees, grass, etc. Didn’t realize this until I got a cat, so I have a chronic allergen all over my home all the time. I rent an apartment and ti has carpeting, but not much I can do about that as I rent. I am wondering if this is all related.
I kept thinking it would just pass with the virus, but it’s been 3 weeks since I was sick so I think it may be hanging around …
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Title: Re: Cold Virus/Sinus Infection
Post by: apple345 on May 01, 2012, 11:47:04 AM
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Just joined and found your post. I had a virus about 3 weeks ago, got a bright red and itchy/burning rash (felt like itchy sunburn) all over. Went away with the virus but now comes back with heat, stress, emotion, sun … I kept thinking it was just part f the virus but it doesn’t seem to just stay away ….
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Title: Re: New here and to this condition
Post by: Claudia on May 01, 2012, 09:45:19 PM
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Hi apple345, and welcome to the forum. Also, sorry in advance for the long post lol
I, too, had a viral-sinus infection right around the time this hives condition started on me. One morning (2 months ago), I woke up with hives while recovering from the sinus infection. I began taking Zyrtec because my nose wouldn’t stop running; plus, I couldn’t stop coughing. The Zyrtec helped with the mucous, but it dried me out. I felt dehydrated, no matter how much water I drank.
One morning, I decided I didn’t want to be hooked on Benadryl (which made me sleepy) or Zyrtec, so I went cold turkey. I blew my nose & coughed for about 4 hours straight. I actually went through 2 rolls of toilet paper. Soon after the 4 hours though, the coughing and runny nose subsided — I’m guessing my body didn’t have any more mucous to give ??? . At any rate, I haven’t had to take an anti-histamine since (that was 2-3 weeks ago). One big thing I should mention is that I cut all dairy out of my diet. I also removed any and all dust-mites from my house by vacuuming and also washing all my sheets in hot and bleach.
Now, I can confidently say that my hives are subsiding a lot. Like you, they are triggered by different things, but I’ve been logging everything hives-related in a journal for the past week. This helped me immensely because I learned so much about my body in 7 days’ time; it’s astonishing. I don’t mean to hijack your thread, so I will post more on what I’ve learned in a new thread.
But to answer your questions:
Quote from: apple345 on May 01, 2012, 11:44:21 AM
Do you think I don’t get a more severe reaction because of the zyrtec? Do people double-up on different anti-histamines?
The Zyrtec may be helping, but I think you’d benefit from logging your experiences with hives breakouts in a journal. I think it’ll you help you notice the patterns of when & why you break out, which — in many ways — is half the battle.
Quote from: apple345 on May 01, 2012, 11:44:21 AM
Has anybody else had this develop after a virus, like I did?
Yep, it was my second sinus infection since moving to this fixer-upper of a house we bought in 2010 (lots of dust-mites and mold :-). The first one was in May of 2011; the second was in March of 2012. I noticed the hives while recovering from the second sinus infection.
Quote from: apple345 on May 01, 2012, 11:44:21 AM
Does anybody know if there is a possible correlation between allergies and this condition? … I am wondering if this is all related.
I think you’re on to something. Maybe the bodily stress of having to fight off an enemy that doesn’t exist (i.e., allergies) is making our bodies gradually sicker and weaker, until the hives appear. I’m still trying to understand the nature of this condition since there isn’t much of a consensus of what causes it in the medical community.
I’ve been doing research in medical journals and they all say pretty much the same thing. Some extol new “cures” that lower your body’s ability to fight off any and all invaders. This, to me, is not a cure at all since it leaves you vulnerable to other diseases like pneumonia, or even the common cold.
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Title: Re: New here and to this condition
Post by: apple345 on May 02, 2012, 04:31:08 AM
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Hi and thanks for your response 🙂 This condition is such a pain, I hate feeling like my emotions are right there on my sleeve.
Logging breakouts is a good idea. I will start that today. I may call my primary doctor and see if I can get in, as I guess she may have some ideas too. So far I’ve noticed it mostly when I change to a warmer temperature, go in the sun, get embarrassed/stressed, and when I’m in class – too bad I can’t avoid that! But giving presentations is so hard because I will get blotchy and then notice it and get even more blotchy because I get embarrassed. Also I am getting married in a year and really don’t want to be blotchy in photos … I hope I can get in under control by then.