Has anyone tried getting some sun to help cholinergic urticaria?
I came across an article today about a guy who thinks his cholinergic urticaria is cured after getting two hours of sun for two consecutive days. After reading this, I immediately went outside since it’s really hot today (82F here in New York).
After just about 5 minutes of standing quietly under the sun, my itching started, and it was really burning. But as I have promised myself, I didn’t scratch it. I closed my eyes and kept praying to endure it.
After about 30 minutes, the whole itching stopped. I felt some sweat in my armpit and in between my legs. I decided to jump around in the sun and do a little running to see if I would itch. Well, I am glad to say that for the first time in 7 months, I was able to run and jump around–even under the hot sun–without getting a single itch. Did I sweat like I used to before cholinergic urticaria? The answer is no, but I believe strongly that the good Lord has heard my cry.
I know my healing process has started, and I am going to recover fully. Please, anyone who hasn’t tried getting some sun, please do so. Make sure you just stand, sit, or lay quietly under the sun, since doing any activity under the sun might increase the itchiness.
When you begin to itch, please just try to stand firm. After a short while I believe you will be a lot better. Today is the happiest day in my life. Please try this if you havent. Could cholinergic urticaria be caused by lack of sunlight? Well, I can’t really tell for sure but you might never know and please I didn’t do this alone. Keep praying. I don’t believe the sun alone helped me–my God heard my cry.
I hope this helps someone too.
-Kevin
Hivesguy says
That’s fantastic, Kevin. I’m so glad that you got some relief from your hives, and that you’ve found that this method helped you to break through. Thanks for posting your experience.
The sun can indeed help cholinergic urticaria in many ways. First, it produces vitamin D in your skin. A couple of people have reported that their hives got better after taking vitamin d supplements upon discovering a deficiency. This hasn’t helped all people (I even tried supplementing with vitamin d and laying out in the sun when I suffered, but it didn’t help), but it may help some people suffering with cholinergic urticaria.
Another way the sun helps is that it can heat the body very quickly, which can sometimes help the body to acclimate the heat faster. In addition, humidity levels tend to increase with heat, which can sometimes helps to minimize the reaction (or even enable the body to sweat). This is fairly similar to the “sweat/exercise therapy” that a lot of people use to manage their symptoms.
The only thing I’d caution is to watch out for sunburns. If you plan to be out for a long time, I’d put on sunscreen after you’ve got some “safe” exposure time.
In any event, I’m really glad you got some relief. I’m also glad that you have an optimistic outlook for the future. I believe you can and will continue to overcome your cholinergic urticaria. God is great.
Thanks again for sharing that great tip and experience.
Hivesguy
Anonymous says
I personally feel like the temporary cure is sweating, rather than sun. Try going for a run and endure the itch, once you start to sweat the itching is gone for the majority of the day! That’s what works for me personally
Anonymous says
I suffered from Hives for about six months.
After trying to determine the cause I knew that my Hives was not being caused by an allergic reaction to medicine or food. Changing diet or medicines did not make any difference.
The only way I could find total relief was by taking an antihistamine tablet every two days.
That took the itch away, but not the cause.
At long last I think I found the cause and solution.
I must have developed a fungal infection and foot powder for the treatment of athlete’s foot solved the problem.
I stopped taking the antihistamine, wait for the itching to start, and then rub some athlete’s foot powder or cream over the itching area.
One must just keep doing this for at least a week after all the itching has stopped to ensure that the fungus is completely eradicated.
Anonymous says
I’ve treated mine with Vitamin D sup’s and then hitting the tanning bed for a short while.
Paul Hayhurst says
I’ve worked as a window cleaner since I finished school and 7 years later had to stop. Outside in the sun all week was just absolute torture. It just upset me and I got work in a supermarket which means rubbish money but a fridge that I can step into anytime i can. I’m not very hopeful for the future if this carries on…
Hivesguy says
Ah yes, I often would hang out in the freezer section of Walmart while I waited for an attack to cease. I know exactly what you mean. Hang in there.