Hi Guys,
I’ve had cholinergic urticaria since January 2015. First it started with arms and legs, and later the itching became so severe that I could not tolerate it. So doctor prescribed me antihistamines, which doesn’t seem to work.
Later, he put me on Danazol, which also failed. I heard of sauna which is really helpful, so I bought it. It’s an infrared sauna. I am trying to sit inside for ten minutes, but I couldn’t. My skin is getting very dry and itchy, which I cannot tolerate.
So how should I get started to sweat when it’s really painful. Does taking antihistamines and sitting in the sauna makes it helpful or not? Please suggest the best ways to pass the pain barrier. Once the sweat is out, I think I will be fine.
Thanks,
Harsha
Hivesguy says
Harsha,
Thanks for taking the time to share your experience. I’m sorry that you’re having issues with the sweat therapy. Keep in mind that it isn’t always safe or ideal for everyone, so I hope you’ve talked to a doctor and followed a few basic precautions before trying this (such as an Epi-Pen, having someone home with you in case you have a bad reaction, etc.).
Antihistamines can help some people sweat easier, because it can reduce the pain a bit. You said you already tried one, but you may want to work with your doctor and keep trying different ones. Loratadine, Zyrtec, Allegra, and Hydroxyzine are probably the most common ones. If you have really dry skin, you may want to consider using a regular moisturizer or emollient.
Be safe, and I hope you can sweat normally soon. Hang in there.
calvin says
Sweat therapy works for me, best way I to go to the gym get on a elictical machine first it will burn for about seven minutes then the pain will subside then you can get in the sauna I did this and it help big time first time i didnt swaet I also take prednisone and a Xoliar injection I sell cars in Atlanta and work all week in ninety degree temperature go to a allergy doctor Xoliar expensive my insurance covers it and I went from using steriods twice a day to once a week it takes a few injection to see results
Ali says
Well here is my experience. At first my CU was very bad to the point that I would feel itchy the second I leave my apartment. Then I started going to a sauna (a real sauna not a portable one), it had a temperature of 180 degrees which is VERY HOT. Most sauna’s are around 150 degrees but luckily for me we had a very hot one nearby. When I went to that sauna I sweated immediately without any pain because it was too hot. Then I bought a portable sauna which only goes up to 150 degrees and I always get itchy when I use it. I bear with the pain until I start sweating I think that’s what you need to do. Try to sweat as much as possible and keep your body warm at all times to avoid getting itchy.
And no anti-histamines did not help me one bit with my CU even with using the sauna treatment, the only result I got from them is that I didn’t see my rash but I would still get itchy
harsha (@harsha5085) says
Hi Guys,
Thanks a lot for your views here @hivesguy @calvin @ali. My age is 25.I didnt try using an anti histamine before heading into sauna but i am on danazol which is anabolic steroid. I am not seeing any result having danazol here other than side effects. If i get sweat atleast once then i can know the barrier which i need to cross everytime. But everytime i sit inside the sauna i am felling very painfull and rushing out of the sauna. All black heads on my back are coming out i think this is the good thing about it because its trying to push the sweat out. So what is the powerfull antihistamine i can get so i can take and go into sauna. I just wanna use it only once to pass the barrier.I am staying in complete air conditioned environment. I am unable to enjoy the summer due to this.
Thanks
Harsha