Hey, guys.
I think I am experiencing cholinergic urticaria. I have all the common symptoms (red pin pricks, stinging/burning itches etc.) and experience the common triggers (exercise, stress, hot showers, spicy food etc.). But what I don’t get is I can never sweat, even in extremely hot temperatures or when I furiously exercise — the pin pricks just appear all over my body.
I tried going to the dermatologist and he told me to take Allegra and Benadryl. I read an article online that you can cure this by desensitizing the sweat glands, but when I brought it up the doctor didn’t even bat an eye, so I am not really sure it is the right treatment.
Is there any tips in helping me sweat?
George W.
Hivesguy says
Some people with cholinergic urticaria also have anhidrosis or reduced sweating function. Sweat therapy helps some (but not all) people with cholinergic urticaria. I have a video on this topic, and there have been many posts written on this forum. If you use the search feature, you can read how others have done it.
The risks of sweat therapy include but are not limited to: anaphylactic shock, intense itching/pain, nausea, stomach pain, overheating/heat exhaustion, and more. I’d strongly recommend that you get a doctor’s approval, have an Epi-Pen on standby, and someone to help you if you attempt it. For people with severe cases, they are unable to break a sweat. Also, sweat therapy is not a “cure,” but rather, is a method people use to minimize symptoms. However, it does help some people a lot.
Kamel says
Hello George! Sorry to hear about your hives and hope they will get better soon.
Sweat reduction is a common symptom of Cholinergic Urticaria. I experience huge sweat reduction during winters only. The reasons are still unknown, some say that the sweat reduction is responsible for our hives, others say that the allergic-like reaction causes this sweat obstruction. Science on the other hand has shown that receptors of acetylcholine in sweat glands block whenever the reaction occurs. This results in a reduction of sweat.
I was so curious to know if I am still able to sweat, so I tried to exercise then stop whenever the hives would start then restart after 5 minutes! This worked well for me. I was able to sweat after experiencing hives for 10 or 15 minutes! If you want to try it a family member should be present and an epi pen. Additionally, you should have a thermometer next to you to measure your temperature when you get the hives! Sweat reduction can be a serious problem so if for example you are not able to sweat and experiencing hives and you measure your temperature and it is above 38.5 Celsius then you should stop immediately. While I was experimenting I made a history of my hives. I took pictures of my body whenever they would come I also did measure my temperature and rated the pain on 10 and the sweat ability on 10.
All the best fellow. May god be with you