It started about 5 years ago for me, just before my 30th Birthday. I was rushing to get ready for a family get together and I jumped in the shower, and soon after my arms, chest and back were covered in small red lumps and I was itching like crazy. About 5 minutes later, it was as if nothing happened and everything was back to normal.
I can’t remember if it re-occurred that winter, as it NEVER happens to me unless its cold outside, but over the last few years its been getting more and more frequent.
I’m sat at my desk at work right now, just got back from lunch and its quite cold outside. When I was in the lift back up to my office I felt what felt like tiny pin pricks on my chest and back of my neck. By the time I sat down, my arms and chest where absolutely covered in hives and I’m fidgeting, itching and scratching… however I know that in a matter of minutes they’ll be gone without a trace.
I only ever get them when I go suddenly from cold to warm, I never get them at the gym or when I play soccer. I only ever once in my life got them due to stress, when our wedding invitations got screwed up when I was printing them, and funnily enough that day was by far the worst I have ever had them.
I suppose I’m quite lucky as I think my case of cholinergic urticaria is pretty mild, and it’s more of an annoyance to me than a problem that I worry about daily, however I am thinking now that it seems to be getting more frequent.
Anyone else start off this way until it became an absolute nightmare? I’ve never been to a doctor about this condition, as I know once spring comes it will once again become a distant memory until the first time I get it next winter.
Also, I get weird patches of rough dry skin on my arms, barely noticeable but when the hives hit, these patches of skin seem to get hit worse than other areas? Is this common?
Well, in the time it took me to write this, the hives have now gone and you can’t even tell they were ever there, which is funny to me as literally minutes ago I had HUNDREDS of them all down both arms!
-Danny
(This post was submitted by a reader)
Deborah says
Danny, forget about a traditional doctor, as they all are clueless and will tell you to take antihistamines for the rest of your life. Yes, cold to heat and vise versa. Also exercise induced with little to no sweating. Also mental stress. I believe it is autoimmune in nature possibly caused by adrenal stress esp. from longterm mental and physical stress, vaccinations, thyroid Hashimotos, and/or gallbladder liver problems. In other words, toxicity. This is what I have wracked my brains to conclude. Vit D deficiency is something we should consider as well, thus winter being the worst. I broke out while in the ocean swimming and it was 93 outside! Sudden development of food sensitivities is another one. What do you think of my assessments?
Deborah