Cholinergic Urticaria

  • Cholinergic Urticaria
  • Hives Forum
  • Cholinergic Urticaria Book
  • Store

Cholinergic Urticaria (?) – My Story

September 23, 2017 by Forum Member

First of all, I am not even sure what I really suffer from. My specialist diagnosed CU, but I have never had problems with hot showers, baths, blankets or just sitting in the sun. The hives, stinging, tickling irritation only arises as soon as I begin to exercise. Heat, stress or nervousness seem to elevate symptoms, but don’t give rise to them by themselves.

CU probably started when I was around 15/16 – I noticed that when doing sports at school, I sometimes had a few red dots on my skin. I didn’t think much of it at the time, but over months and years the symptoms worsened significantly. Now, I cannot play sports without being covered in red hives from head to toe, and I’m sure you are all too familiar with the effects on performance, self-confidence, mental and physical well being …

Occasionally I experience dizziness too, which worries me, since I fear that one day I may have an anaphylactic reaction. Having said that, my specialist was adamant that I do not suffer from exercise induced anaphylaxis.

I have explored various solutions, including most antihistamines (cetirizine, fexofenadine, loratadine, chlorphenamine, … ). Sometimes I feel that they help and alleviate symptoms slightly, but on other days I take 5 tablets of fexofenadine, only to get covered in red hives. I had allergy/intolerance testing to look for a potential link to foods and it suggested increased IgG reaction to dairy, wheat, some nuts, yeast. I did this privately, behind the back of my specialist, since she was convinced diet could not be a potential cause. I try to avoid the above foods as much as I can, though as a student trying to enjoy life, realistically this is near-impossible. Furthermore, I have not found a restricted diet to help particularly, though perhaps symptoms improve slightly. I generally find it very difficult to determine whether something helps, as I feel that there are too many potential factors and unknowns.

I’ve read a lot about answers/solutions, suggesting leaky gut, starting to exercise daily to build up a resistance, putting up with it and hoping to grow it out, stronger medicines eg doxepine, montelukast, dietary changes such as reducing salt, carbs, … but I feel I have tried most without success. I read here that some are suggesting a link to yeast abundance in the gut – could this be linked to my positive allergy test for yeast?

Having trawled through the forum, I should really consider myself lucky, since I can get through a normal day at university with just a few red dots. However, I just moved to a hot country and as a sports fanatic and somebody who enjoys socializing and going out, it’s been plaguing me lately.

All the best!

Andy

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • More
  • Print
  • Reddit
  • Pocket
  • LinkedIn
  • Tumblr

Cholinergic Urticaria eBook

Cholinergic Urticaria: A Guide to Chronic Heat Hives

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Disclaimer:

The information on this website is NOT intended to be medical advice. Rather, this site is a platform for people to share experiences on chronic hives. Never take or stop taking any drug, supplement, exercise or diet program, or other treatment unless your doctor approves it. Some treatments, such as sweat therapy, may not be safe for you. By accessing this website, you agree not to hold the owner liable for any use, misuse, or negligence resulting from your use of the site and/or its contents.

Popular Articles

  • Cholinergic Urticaria Causes
  • Cholinergic Urticaria Cure
  • Cholinergic Urticaria Definition
  • Cholinergic Urticaria Pictures
  • Cholinergic Urticaria Symptoms
  • Cholinergic Urticaria Treatment
  • Cholinergic Urticaria Videos
  • Ear Pit
  • Eczema on Fingers

Privacy and Disclosures

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Legal Disclaimers

Other Sites

  • RN

Copyright © 2021 CholinergicUrticaria.net. All Rights Reserved.