Hi. I am a 21-year-old male. I live in a fairly humid weather (near the sea). Two weeks ago, I had this tingly and prickly sensation all over my body. I didn’t think much of it. It recurred daily, but I didn’t link it to anything.
After that, it got really painful, and then I noticed that it only happens when my body temperature rises and goes away immediately when I cool myself down. I never had this kind of sensation ever in my life, and I don’t have any known allergies.
I do not use any special medications either. I only use painkillers such as paracetamol when in need.
There was absolutely no change from my daily routine, and nothing new was introduced (no new foods, material, or anything). The only thing that is different is that the weather has been pretty hot since the summer (25c-35c), and it only cooled off since the start of the new year. Now it ranges 15c-22c.
The thing is, even if I get slightly excited or experience any slight rise in my body temperature, the tingly feeling starts slightly on my lower back and grows to my whole body (most effects are on my back and least on thighs).
At first, I didn’t notice any visible changes to my body, but now I am noticing a pinpoint red points all over my arms (couldn’t check my back, but I also have them on my torso) when I get hot.
This tingly sensation strikes me dead within minutes, I can’t even think nor stand up still when I get the breakout. I do not get breakouts in shower, even If I use extra hot water, which I am not used to.
Thanks,
John
Hivesguy says
Hi, John. It sounds like cholinergic urticaria to me, but a knowledgeable doctor could confirm the diagnosis. Allergists / immunologists and dermatologists tend to be most familiar with the hives disorders. It never hurts to have a general checkup to rule out other things. In the meantime, you might want to spend some time sifting through the forum to learn tips on how to manage the symptoms and to develop questions that you might want to ask your doctor (if you do get a checkup).
John says
Thank you for your answer and all the info. I am currently prescribed Allegra with predinsone, but haven’t seen any results yet. I have a question, these days it’s kinda easy to cool down yourself or not to get hot at all either cold water nearby, or the cold wind itself. But what happens when you do not have the means to cool your body down?
If an outbreak all over your body happens while walking in the Middle of a sunny day ( and cooling down isn’t really an option) ?
Will the pain keep building up until you cool down? Or the hives goes away after a certain amount of time?
Thanks in advance
M. S. Uppal says
Dear John, according to my own personal experience the pain and suffering from urticaria
attack subsides within thirty to forty minutes,but in the meantime you end up scratching and hurting yourself like a mad person. The only way to abort the attack is to cool down your
affected area of skin by ice cubes or ice cold water. You can carry ice cubes in a good quality
pouch.Such pouches are available in pharmacies. I hope it will help.
M. S. Uppal
simon novell says
Hi John,
I also started last August for no apparent reason, mine started in the shower with sharp prickly sensations on my back and chest but no visible signs of rash or hives, it then progressed to whenever I exercised and my temperature rose, I’ve seen a GP, dermatologist and neurologist and have tried antihistamines, amititptyline and gabapentin but nothing made any difference. Its a complete mystery so far but symptoms have eased slightly over time and I’ve adjusted a few things that helped (eg. I now use a 4 tog duvet all year which helps me sleep, I have cooler showers and I’ve learnt how to recognise when my body is warming during exercise and just slow up until it passes and avoid a full on wave of prickly pains!
I having a EMG test next week and an MRI scan to check if its neurological but I’m not expecting any answers! My symptoms seem less severe now I know the triggers and over time they seem less severe perhaps because I’m accepting them more and not freaking out. For some people it just goes away over a few months so i’m hoping for that and avoiding all the drugs as I had really bad side effects with most of them, all the best with it and let me know if anything works for you!
Simon