Lack of Sun Exposure and Sunlight Theory for Cholinergic Urticaria Hives
Post by: Sunny on May 29, 2008, 01:04:26 PM
Glad to see there are others with this annoying condition! (Sorry, I’m not really that happy for you all…) I’ve been somewhat embrassed about it, with doctors having no cure and then friends thinking it’s psychosomatic.
I get an itch attack, a head rush and some red blotchyness with everything that makes the body temperature rise, so it’s hard to do anything physical really, or to be somewhere warm. The only thing you can think of is how to cool down however possible and pretend to be normal for the 10 or so minutes that it takes for the itching to stop. Basically I’ve felt like a freak for the last 15 years, about half of my lifetime. Luckily it comes and goes periodically.
Back when I still went to the dermatologist hoping for a cure, they got me some UVB phototherapy and all sorts of antihistamines. I’ve also tried vitamine D and various diet changes. Unfortunately, none of them have helped.
During the last few years I have however noticed, all on my own without the clueless doctors, that constant exposure to sun helps and makes me normal again. The first few times in direct sunlight are absolute agony, when I try to stay there longer and longer, all the while my body and everything tells me to rip my clothes off and run to lie down in the shadow to cool off. But then after a few times of that, the itch comes less strong, only in tingles anymore, and then the next time not at all. Like the webmaster of this site mentioned in his car washing episode, the itching stopped when trying to go through the torture. But I don’t think it was withstanding the torture that made it easier, but exposure to the sun. For me a day or two of this sun treatment makes the urticaria go away for weeks. If I’m not too busy with work and can live normally without having to stay inside too much, the “treatment” comes with being able to live normally.
So my cure for this nuisance is to go out on a sunny day, preferably lying down so that nothing else triggers it, wait until the symptoms come, suffer for a while, and then come back inside to return to normal. After that I just repeat it until it’s either gone or I feel too tired and exhausted to go through the pain anymore. Sometimes it takes a couple of days for it to stop, sometimes I’ll be fine in just one.
I’m not entirely sure about this, as the quality of life is way better when I can do what I want and not have to avoid pretty much everything, so it could still all be in my head, but I believe it works. Just have to still remember to avoid sunburns.
I love the feel of getting sweaty! 🙂
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Title: Re: Sun’s my cure
Post by: billysielu on May 29, 2008, 02:46:58 PM
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I’ll be trying this on the next sunny weekend.
Right now i’m building up endurance with forced excercise and very hot showers, but this sounds much better.
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Title: Re: Sun’s my cure
Post by: Sunny on May 30, 2008, 03:14:38 AM
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I’ve tried the endurance thing too, but for me the attacks come back just as strong every time and I end up feeling miserable. The sun however, I believe, has some effect on me that wasn’t reproduced with the artificial light therapy. There’s the body warming endurance thing with that as well though, but I think it’s just a side effect of all the exercise.
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Title: Re: Sun’s my cure
Post by: jga on May 31, 2008, 04:59:50 PM
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There’s probably vitamins in sunlight, I’d try it but it’s not sunny often enough where I live. Yeah it sounds better than forced exercise cause forced exercise can do major damage on the bones and muscles.
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Title: Re: Sun’s my cure
Post by: HivesGuy on June 01, 2008, 04:29:46 AM
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Thank you very much for your great post & welcome to the forum Sunny!
That is a great point about the sunlight, and I have often wondered the same. For example, I too notice that the more I am in the sun & hot weather, the easier it becomes for me to sweat. Also, yesterday I was driving a my 98 dodge ram truck with the windows up & no A/C (trying to force some sweat out). After a few mintues & just a slight prickly sensation, I finally started sweating all over my body with a lot of sweat beading on my forehead….It felt great! I have been out in the sun these past few weeks more than I have in probably the past year.
But anyways, I think the sun does have an effect. I don’t know if it is the extra vitamin D, or if simply the ultraviolet rays maybe open up sweat pores more or something?? I have no idea. But I think getting moderate amounts of sun certainly helps. Just be careful everyone not to “overexpose” yourselves. The last thing we need is dose of a bad sunburn or skin cancer.
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Title: Re: Sun’s my cure
Post by: billysielu on June 01, 2008, 05:31:59 AM
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lol i’d take sunburn over this 🙂
it’s never sunny here!!
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Title: My Cholinergic Urticaria Hives Experiment (lazy, havent been updating enough)
Post by: HiverNation on January 08, 2009, 01:12:18 AM
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EDIT: if youre looking for the ‘experiment’ part of this post, you can scroll down towards the middle of this page and you’ll see a table with some numbers in it…
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This is my first post, great site.
In the effort to find a solution, who here has done the following and FAILED?
1) Spent over an hour in the sun every day (with no shirt on) for two weeks? (baking)
2) Ran outside in the sun every day for two weeks? (ideally with no shirt on?!)
3) Tanned regularly in a tanning bed?
Clearly there is something to be said about the poll results showing that we all get no sunlight. Out of ALL those poll results, the the most unique result was that over 60% of us are getting less than 5 hours of sunlight a week.
On the same note I think the following posts were interesting….
specifically,
Quote
For me a day or two of this sun treatment makes the urticaria go away for weeks.
specifically,
Quote
So. I started to make several exercises in my room, then i started to go out and run, often in summer with 40 degrees.
(And by the way, This guy is Italian and therefore he means 40 degrees Celcius (Very hot weather))
Both of those guys reported that they have been cured.
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Title: Re: Who has tried this and failed? (sunlight)
Post by: HivesGuy on January 08, 2009, 06:52:20 AM
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Hello HiverNation,
Thanks for the great replies & Welcome to the forum!
I have not yet tried this, but I too suspect it could have some involvement. I am really looking forward to testing this out.
Right now, it is extremely cold outside, and not only that but it has been raining for like the past 6 days (I might start building an ark if it doesn’t quit soon lol). So it is nearly impossible to even try to get the sun exposure at a reasonable level.
But I too think this could have involvement based on 3 main reasons:
1. As you pointed out, others who apparently aren’t bothered by the hives as much seem to get more sun exposure.
2. The point at which my hives went away, and stayed away for a brief 2 year period- also correlated with my sun exposure and outdoor activity. When I started staying mostly indoors again-presto, it came back. Now I have had bouts of sun exposure here and there. But nothing consistent at all. Maybe I go 2-3 days with sun, but then none for another week.
3. The majority of us on the survey, do seem to have fair to light brown skin-which could be an indicator of lack of sun exposure.
So I do suspect that it COULD have involvement based on those things. However, let me also stress that there is also the possibility that it may not be related at all. It could just be a coincidence. But I look forward to trying more sun exposure this summer to see if it has any effects on the hives.
Also, if anyone does try this, please watch out for skin cancer, sun burns, and other harmful things. I would start very slowly, and make sure not to burn or get too much exposure. I would start at about 15 minutes a day for a while, and then if you skin color/tone permits, you may slowly get a little more. Again, fair skin people need to watch out for skin cancer risks.
Personally, I get almost zero sun exposure right now–simply because it is cold, I live in an apartment with no where to go (unless I want to stand in the parking lot all day-which I don’t), and it is a pain having to drive to a park to get sun (15-20 minute drive). But this summer, I am going to force myself to get at least 15-30 minutes each day that it isn’t a totally rainy day (I will probably go outside for 15 minutes even if it is cloudy). I will do this over the course of at least 1-2 months, just to be sure if it works or not.
But I too wonder if anyone has yet tried this, and FAILED or not seen results?
So has anyone else received CONSISTENT sun exposure, for a consistent period of time (almost daily for 1-2 months)?? Let us know if you have had any results or failures with this.
Thanks again for the great post, and welcome to the forum!
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Title: Re: Who has tried this and failed? (sunlight)
Post by: HiverNation on January 08, 2009, 11:53:54 AM
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Ya i know what you mean about sun being hard to find sometimes,
That being said, im headed to the beach right now.
Luckily about 20 mins north of where i live there is a beach with some nice sun.
And i live in the foggy bay area.
I plan on getting some good rays, so let’s see if my hives go away for a day or two…
Maybe you can tell me some good ways to invoke the hives afterwords, so that i can try that a few times for the informative purposes; see how long im hive free even if im trying to induce them.
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Title: Re: Who has tried this and failed? (sunlight)
Post by: HivesGuy on January 08, 2009, 03:57:49 PM
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Quote from: HiverNation on January 08, 2009, 11:53:54 AM
Ya i know what you mean about sun being hard to find sometimes,
That being said, im headed to the beach right now.
Luckily about 20 mins north of where i live there is a beach with some nice sun.
And i live in the foggy bay area.
I plan on getting some good rays, so let’s see if my hives go away for a day or two…
Maybe you can tell me some good ways to invoke the hives afterwords, so that i can try that a few times for the informative purposes; see how long im hive free even if im trying to induce them.
Hello,
You’re lucky living only 20 minutes from the beach =). My wife would love that as she always tries to persuade me to go to Myrtle Beach all the time during the summer (6-7 hour drive). We do love the beach but we haven’t been in a couple of years.
About the sun exposure, I am not 100% sure if that is the cause or if it is even related. But if it is, my guess is that it may take very regular and consistent exposure to know if it works or not.
I myself have had periods of about 1 hour of sun exposure about 3-4 days in a row. I couldn’t notice a big difference with the hives. And last year during the early summer of 2008, I actually was out in the sun for about 4 days in a row with at least 3 hours of sun exposure each day (I was building something outside).
I actually did start to sweat well on day 2, but I got itchy at first. Then the next day I didn’t get as itchy and went directly into sweating and sweat quite a bit all day. It felt great.
The only problem is this: After I finished the project, I was indoors for a couple of days in the air conditioning and BAM hives were back just like before when I got hot.
That is why I say that to know for sure it works, it would have to be regular and consistent exposure and sweating daily (like 15-30 minutes each day at least 4-6 days a week). I think getting outside and sweating a lot has potential to keep the hives at bay for a while. Most of us don’t have a problem with hives after we start sweating heavily for that day. It is just getting to sweating that is the problem. I can literally work out right now as hard as I can for like 30-60 minutes, and instead of sweating I start to itch when I get hot. It is really annoying.
I have also read a couple of people that use a personal sauna capsule, and they do this everyday during the winter to keep their hives at bay and to keep the sweat coming out. That isn’t too cheap though.
I have also made a post in the past where one woman on a different website forum made a post on how she pretty much cured her Cholinergic Urticaria by just using a heater and humidifier in her room all night (I guess she gets it really hot and muggy and this keeps her sweat pores open all night). She said you have to do it fairly consistently or else it will come back. That makes sense, but it also will add quite a bit to the heating bill I imagine. But I plan on trying that within the next year if nothing else works.
I plan on doing most of those things within the next year and reporting to everyone once I get a house. I can’t set up most of these experiments in my apartment which is a bummer because I can’t wait to try these things. I can’t wait to sweat period.
As far as the triggers, for most it seems to be anything that causes us to get hot.
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Title: Re: Who has tried this and failed? (sunlight)
Post by: HiverNation on January 08, 2009, 07:51:41 PM
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Here i will keep updated results of my experiments with sweating, sunlight, and exercise in an attempt to cure Cholinergic Urticaria. Today (beginning date) is 1/08/2009.
My History: Suffered for a couple years, I’m not really sure how long because until recently I hadn’t paid as much attention to it, understood it, or even known that i had a condition. But without question i suffer from Cholinergic Urticaria flare ups, and i can remember having flare-ups as much as 2-3 years back. I can relate to the pain of all you folks.
Below I will make a record of my day-to-day activities in an attempt to determine if sweating, sunlight, and exercise alone can cure Cholinergic Urticaria. I will not be changing my diet for this personal experiment. I am without-question not certified or authorized to do any experiment, and placebo effect is always a possible scenario, so I will continue logging results for as long as is necessary. Feel free to ask any questions you might have.
Day Activities Discomfort From Hives(1-10)
1/8/2009 SA, CE 7
1/9/2009 SA, DH 7.5
1/10/2009 SU, CE 10
1/11/2009 CE 5
1/12/2009 — 1 (no triggers because no exercise)
1/13/2009 CE 5
1/14/2009 — 2 (no triggers because no exercise)
1/15/2009 —
1/16/2009 — 7 (an uncomfortable hot bath)
1/17/2009 CE 5
1/18/2009 CE 4
1/19/2009 CE 4
1/20/2009 SU CE 3
1/21/2009 — —
1/22/2009 — —
1/23/2009 — —
1/24/2009 — —
1/25/2009 — —
1/26/2009 CE 9
1/27/2009 SU 6
1/28/2009 BV FO SU CE 3
1/29/2009 BV FO
SR= Steam Room
SA = Sauna
CE = Cardio Exercise
WL = Weight Lifting
DH*= Driving around with the heater cranked
SU = Sunlight Exposure
BV = B Vitamin
FO = Fish Oil Omega 3 Pill
‘–‘ means i didnt do anything that would cause the hives, so theres nothing really to mark.
Side Notes
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Hives might make you think you can’t be happy. In my opinion, this is far from true. If you are unhappy, and you blame your unhappiness on Hives, then you need to work on your personal relationships and get more exercise. Probably just get more exercise.
For this experiment, the definition of a ‘cure’ for me will be defined as the following: No presence of cholinergic urticaria, even after i stop sweating, running, or getting sun exposure for a longer period of time.
Extreme discomfort from hives will be marked as 10, while zero discomfort will be marked as 1. The 1-10 number will mostly represent how intense or uncomfortable the flare up(s) are.
I probably won’t be spending much time in the steam room (marked in the experiment as SR), because as i said in another part of this post, the steam room is disgusting at my gym.
Something i might try is cranking the heater when im in my car. Just like a mobile sauna. This will be marked as DH- BUT- a mark of DH will only be made for days where i achieve either (1) An actual hive flare up, or (2) sweating while in my car. If neither of these things happen while cranking the heater up in my car (obviously with the windows rolled up!) then no DH mark will be made.
Daily Journals
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1/8/09
First day. Sauna early in the day, and a 2.5 mile run later in the evening. The run was comfortable because of the sauna earlier. Many times the first .5-.8 miles of my run are complete utter agony, today was fine. Someone posted somewhere that a steam room before running will make the run hive-free, and this is 100% true for me also, but i don’t like the steam room at my gym; its disgusting.
Tomorrow I’ll shoot for some sun. ( I was trying to get sun today but it randomly became cloudy )
1/9/09
Wanted to get some sun, but didn’t because i slept-in to an embarassing hour. Tomorrow = sun for sure. Did get sauna though, and began a new method to induce sweating, just driving around with heater cranked and windows up.
1/10/09
Went to the beach, laid out in the sun for an hour. Problem was cold winds. Even though skies were clear and sunny, i didn’t even break a sweat. My goal with sun is really to cook my skin. Then i went to the gym a few hours later, and decided i would run without first going in the sauna or the steam room. Wow. complete utter agony. But i think i will do it again tomorrow. (running with no steam room or sauna beforehand).
1/11/09
I am going to put everything on hold and try a new approach that i will call ‘chasing the pain’. Basicallly im going to go on a treadmill and see how miserable i can make myself and just not stop for any reason. I can probably count on one hand how many times Cholinergic Urticaria has made me feel like i was about to cry, and yesterday probably counts as one of them. But maybe therein lies the solution. Certainly its worth investigating. Time to bring the pain hard as much as possible for a few weeks. I feel within myself that this might work. Miserable, horrible, terrifying: these are all words to describe a Cholinergic Urticaria attack. There are; however, no words in the english language to describe the level of suffering I experience if i start running, have a Cholinergic Urticaria attack, and run faster and faster right when the attack starts. That’s what ill be shooting for!
1/15/09
its hard to run consistently every day!
1/20/09
finally got some great legit sunlight, no shirt on of course, probably going for more tomorrow.
this was the first real dose of sun ive gotten in a long time, it coulda been hotter though.
1/21/09
Big update this is a big deal-
Today i got no excersize, no sauna, no nothing. anyways i was moving furniture today. it was VERY stressful and physically exhausting but really just very stressfull (trying to get some huge couch through a door in a small appartment)
anyways zero hives but better yet there was sweat. it was awesome. not much but just moisture (and no hives) i credit it to baking in the sun yesterday with my shirt off and also the sweating ive been doing alot lately.
1/27/2009
Sun was absolutely fantastic. Don’t tell me you can’t find sun in the winter! u just gotta know where to look! i live in SF bay area and i am on the path towards a tan after today and a few days back! Unfortunately though i took a long hot shower and this caused a little flare up.
1/28/09
started taking fish oil supplement and b vitamin
then got sun. then ran on a treadmill and – holy crap niagra falls of sweat. sweat madness. was like drenched after 2 miles of a run felt like i was in the jungle. i credit it to b vitamin and fish oil
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Title: Re: Who has tried this and failed? (sunlight)
Post by: billysielu on January 09, 2009, 12:58:57 AM
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Towards the end of the summer I realised being in the sun (whilst it set my Cholinergic Urticaria off) made me feel better afterwards. I’m hoping for a long summer this year so I can try it again.
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Title: Re: Who has tried this and failed? (sunlight)
Post by: HivesGuy on January 09, 2009, 04:35:57 PM
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To HiverNation,
Great job with your log. I think that is a great idea for everyone to keep a personal log of things like this. Even if they don’t post it on the forum and just write it down on a sheet of paper, it may be beneficial for them personally so they can look over it to see if they think anything is helping. Good luck with your experiments!
To Billysielu,
I agree with you there. I hope it is a sunny, warm, humid, and long summer this year as well. I look forward to trying out some sweating and outdoor activity.
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Title: Re: Who has tried this and failed? (sunlight)
Post by: HiverNation on January 09, 2009, 08:30:01 PM
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Quote from: HivesGuy on January 09, 2009, 04:35:57 PM
To HiverNation,
Great job with your log. I think that is a great idea for everyone to keep a personal log of things like this. Even if they don’t post it on the forum and just write it down on a sheet of paper, it may be beneficial for them personally so they can look over it to see if they think anything is helping. Good luck with your experiments!
Thx alot i appreciate that. I’m just like you. Trying to figure it all out, end the suffering, be proactive about it. If this experiment doesn’t work I’ll try something else.
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Title: Re: Sun’s my cure
Post by: HiverNation on January 10, 2009, 10:35:50 PM
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sunny can you post a follow up to this please
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Title: Re: Sun’s my cure
Post by: HivesGuy on January 11, 2009, 10:04:31 AM
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I too would like to know if you could update us on your hives if you get a chance sunny =). Thanks in advance!
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Title: Re: Sun’s my cure
Post by: Sunny on January 12, 2009, 09:34:41 AM
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I had a great summer, spent plenty of time outdoors, got a nice tan and had no sight of urticaria. Generally, I felt like a normal person again.
Now it’s winter. When I go to work, the sun isn’t up yet and by the time I get off, it’s already set. It’s chilly out, and not very pleasant to stay there for long. I have all the symptoms again and I feel like a freak, again. The other day at the hairdresser I had to ask them to open the door outside because I started feeling hot and unbearably itchy, though everyone else there was fine. Whenever I come inside after even a little walk, I get a rush of heat in my body, leading to all the symptoms and I can’t concentrate on anything at all until I’ve had the chance to sit or lie down somewhere to calm it down. My life’s a rollercoaster, normal for one half of the year and the rest practically living like a hermit, not being able to participate in anything.
Sorry guys, not too sunny news from me this time. Maybe in a couple of months I can come out from the cave and join the living… Post again then!
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Title: Re: Sun’s my cure
Post by: HivesGuy on January 12, 2009, 04:31:48 PM
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Thanks so much for the update Sunny. I am sorry about your hives returning. I know that is so frustrating. But at the same time, it gives me some hope that we can at least potentially enjoy the summer hives free, and only deal with them in the winter.
I can totally relate about feeling like living in a cave! I feel like that so many times as well. But hopefully one day we can all overcome it. I hope your hives go away again soon and thanks again for the update!
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Title: Re: Sun’s my cure
Post by: alamar910 on January 17, 2009, 11:09:44 AM
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I love this advice! I live in NC and the weather and hard water here is killing my skin! I love to that I am not the only person with this mess!! Man hives guys thanks for the connection and consistency of information!! Keep it up and God Bless!!!!
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Title: Re: Sun’s my cure
Post by: HivesGuy on January 18, 2009, 06:58:06 PM
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Quote from: alamar910 on January 17, 2009, 11:09:44 AM
I love this advice! I live in NC and the weather and hard water here is killing my skin! I love to that I am not the only person with this mess!! Man hives guys thanks for the connection and consistency of information!! Keep it up and God Bless!!!!
Hello alamar910 & welcome to the forum!
I completely agree with you about the hard water issues. My shampoo bottles get a nice thick film of white on them very quickly due to the hard water I have. I can’t wait to get a water softener within the next year or two. I don’t know if it will have any effect on the hives, but at least my skin will be happier.
I am glad you like the site, and I will try my best to continue to work hard to provide information and detail my experiences. The best part about the site are all the members here on the forum.
Anyways, thanks for the great post, and once again welcome to the forum!
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Title: Re: Sun’s my cure
Post by: dice on January 19, 2009, 05:50:05 AM
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I’ve been going out more often lately (the Cholinergic Urticaria has got me to the point where I’d rather stay indoors now) and have noticed that I begin to itch whenever I go into a shop, it doesn’t matter which one. Outside I’m fine (I’m wearing just a “moisture wicking shirt” underneath a t-crap – not alot during this cold season but enough) and when I retreat into the cold the itching quickly goes away. About 3 days ago I returned home via car and I didn’t break out. I also got a reaction yesterday after hopping on the bus for what was only about a 40 second journey and as soon as I open the door and enter the home, again I break out (pretty much everytime). Not a nice welcome home gift.
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Title: Re: My Hives Experiment (lazy, havent been updating enough)
Post by: HiverNation on February 06, 2009, 10:51:31 AM
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had a bad miserable incident today (2/6/09)
went to the gym in a cold damp shirt and ran for a couple miles.. miserable
on some level i am very curious if i should be chasing the misery over and over again like this until my body somehow magically fixes itself.
anyone else feel this way or think about this concept?
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Title: Re: My Hives Experiment (lazy, havent been updating enough)
Post by: HivesGuy on February 06, 2009, 11:41:43 AM
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Quote from: HiverNation on February 06, 2009, 10:51:31 AM
had a bad miserable incident today (2/6/09)
went to the gym in a cold damp shirt and ran for a couple miles.. miserable
on some level i am very curious if i should be chasing the misery over and over again like this until my body somehow magically fixes itself.
anyone else feel this way or think about this concept?
Sorry about the bad reaction. I know that it gets me so frustrated when I have them. That is why I try to avoid them as much as possible.
About the chasing the pain idea- I personally decided not to try to force any attacks at all for now. The reason is that it is just so freakin cold here right now, that it is pointless to try to even get warm/force sweat.
On one hand it seems that if the sweat glands get open and stay open during the warm/summer months, Cholinergic Urticaria backs down for a while. But on the flip side, I am not sure if it is because of the body getting and staying hot all the time, or what. There could be other factors involved.
I know that forcing the pain doesn’t work for me, as I have sometimes had multiple bad reactions in one day, and I tend to have them very frequently. It really has no effect on me, and I usually don’t even have the “histamine refraction” that some people talk about. I have had multiple severe reactions within a 24 hour period.
I agree with your other post that the fish oil pills probably aren’t doing much. I have heard others try it as well, and they said it didn’t work. The vitamin D3 I am taking is doing basically nothing right now, and I am going to stop taking it very soon.
I don’t know, but now I have some small “bumps” on my skin, and I am trying to figure out if it is from this new hand soap we got, or my diet lately, or what. This stuff drives me mad sometimes.
I wish I could rewind back to the point before I ever got Cholinergic Urticaria.
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Title: Re: My Hives Experiment (lazy, havent been updating enough)
Post by: HiverNation on February 06, 2009, 12:56:26 PM
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Quote from: HivesGuy on February 06, 2009, 11:41:43 AM
1. About the chasing the pain idea- I personally decided not to try to force any attacks at all for now. The reason is that it is just so freakin cold here right now, that it is pointless to try to even get warm/force sweat.
2. I agree with your other post that the fish oil pills probably aren’t doing much. I have heard others try it as well, and they said it didn’t work. The vitamin D3 I am taking is doing basically nothing right now, and I am going to stop taking it very soon.
1: What if the magical number of how many times you have to suffer is closer to 20 30 or 50? i bet neither have us have even tried invoking hives to the point of intense suffering anywhere near that many times. what if the body can cure itself of this ailment but it just takes alot. these are just thoughts
2: no u misunderstood, i was saying that things were pointing towards it working, but i dont wanna make that conclusion yet
also i forgot, did you say uve never tried fish oil?
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Title: Re: My Hives Experiment (lazy, havent been updating enough)
Post by: HiverNation on February 06, 2009, 01:37:20 PM
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ATTN HiverNation:
Hey HivesGuy
I was unable to send you a private message, so consider this a PM!
I think you should setup a section of the forum called “success stories”, and make it a place
where people can only write posts about hives going away or subsiding, i think that would be very useful
it also might encourage outsiders to post important information about how their hives went away
what do you think?
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Title: Re: My Hives Experiment (lazy, havent been updating enough)
Post by: HivesGuy on February 06, 2009, 01:53:26 PM
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Quote from: HiverNation on February 06, 2009, 12:56:26 PM
1: What if the magical number of how many times you have to suffer is closer to 20 30 or 50? i bet neither have us have even tried invoking hives to the point of intense suffering anywhere near that many times. what if the body can cure itself of this ailment but it just takes alot. these are just thoughts
2: no u misunderstood, i was saying that things were pointing towards it working, but i dont wanna make that conclusion yet
also i forgot, did you say uve never tried fish oil?
1. Yes, it is always possible. Perhaps after forced sweating happens enough it clears the body. It is always worth a try, except for the very few people with Cholinergic Urticaria who go into shock as well (those people can’t try it without swelling). I actually do plan on doing a lot of exercising in a VERY hot climate when I get a house & buy some equipment. I just have no room right now in my tiny 1 bedroom apartment. I plan to try to setup a mini “sauna” type room, and workout like crazy (and hopefully sweat like crazy). If I can’t do a sauna, I will at least rig up some kind of heater/humidifier setup. But this will be months from now. I have read on at least 2 separate articles that the sauna/heat room thing really helps make the hives less intense, especially when combined with a regular workout.
2. Sorry about misunderstanding. For some reason I have been misreading all sorts of things on the web lately. I think the hives have finally taken over my brain lol. But no, I have not tried fish oil at this point. If it continues to help you for the next few weeks, I may give it a shot. But I have heard of some who tried it, and it didn’t cure their Cholinergic Urticaria.
Quote from: HiverNation on February 06, 2009, 01:37:20 PM
ATTN HiverNation:
I think you should setup a section of the forum called “success stories”, and make it a place
where people can only write posts about hives going away or subsiding, i think that would be very useful
it also might encourage outsiders to post important information about how their hives went away
what do you think?
Good Idea. I will try to setup a board for it by the end of today. That way, like you said, anyone who may stumble onto the site that no longer has cholinergic urticaria hives can post about them going away.
I may threaten people on this board too to make sure they give us all of their secrets. I will give a disclaimer that says the following:
Warning- I have itched to death for the last 7 years. If you find a way to make these hives go away safely, and do not let all of us know about it, we will track you down and make you pay… lol.
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Title: Re: My Hives Experiment (lazy, havent been updating enough)
Post by: HiverNation on February 06, 2009, 04:57:50 PM
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haha i know ur joking but obviously u got the right idea
u could just name the section
‘Success Stories (please include followups)
or something to that extent maybe
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Title: Re: Sun’s my cure
Post by: valetudo on February 22, 2009, 10:17:15 AM
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what is hard water? i live in NC also
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Title: Re: Sun’s my cure
Post by: HivesGuy on February 22, 2009, 11:40:17 AM
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Quote from: valetudo on February 22, 2009, 10:17:15 AM
what is hard water? i live in NC also
Hello valetudo & welcome to the forum,
Hard water is simply water with a lot of minerals in it (such as limestone, etc.). It typically causes a buildup of white/yellowish scaly stuff around the sink, tub, and so forth. It happens a lot in places where they use wells for water, and also in places with a lot of mountains & minerals in the water supply (like most of us in TN/NC).
You can buy water softener systems (they look kind of like a water heater), and you add salt to them. They cost about $100-200. The machine uses salt to de-mineralize the water, and removes the excessive minerals from it. It makes it much more soft, soap lathers really well in it, and it leaves the skin feeling more slick. It also helps prevent the scaly white buildup.
I definitely have hard water, and both me and my wife get dry skin from it. However, my wife does not have Cholinergic Urticaria, so I can’t say if hard water is for sure the cause, or if it just makes the Cholinergic Urticaria worse or what??
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Title: Re: Sun’s my cure
Post by: valetudo on February 24, 2009, 07:10:09 PM
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Ah ok. Thanks for the explanation.
I’m on the prowl for solutions again after my hives have returned full force. I was on hydroxyzine for a long time but tried my luck without it after my last refill ran out. I went months without it and just took the occasional benadryl when I felt my palms getting itchy. The past few weeks it’s been getting worse and for the past week or so it’s been a full on assault every time I break a sweat. Just 20 minutes on an exercise bike had me covered with the worst outbreak I can remember in YEARS and 1 benadryl before and after did absolutely nothing to phase it.
Hydroxyzine appears to be my miracle drug. After the first pill I never saw them again until months after stopping. I took 50mg pills..started out daily for awhile and eventually tapered off to every other day or every three days and never had a problem.
I’ll probably post up my story pretty soon. I’ve been living with this since I was 15 and I’ll be 24 in a couple days.
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Title: Re: Sun’s my cure
Post by: HivesGuy on February 25, 2009, 07:02:12 PM
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That is great that hydroxyzine helped you. It basically just knocked me out for a few days, but after a week I noticed the hives came back. So eventually I just decided to quit taking them. But that is great that it helps you. Benadryl also just knocks me out, but it seems as if Hydroxyzine did help a bit more than the Benadryl did.
Anyways, I hope you are able to get the hives back under control. I know how frustrating it is when they pick up in intensity. Keep us posted if anything starts to help!
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Title: Re: Sun’s my cure
Post by: valetudo on February 26, 2009, 08:51:22 AM
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I just got my hydroxyzine RX a few minutes ago. I haven’t taken one yet because it most definitely will knock me out…that’s an absolute guarantee, lol. I always take one about an hour before bed and the entire next day I’m hive free so it’s been pretty easy for me to prevent being drowsy all day. I usually take it every other night.
I don’t know what would have changed but I hope it’s as successful as my last experience. It’s been quite awhile since I’ve had one but only in the past week have I actually *needed* it.
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Title: Re: Sun’s my cure
Post by: HivesGuy on February 28, 2009, 08:08:22 AM
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Quote from: valetudo on February 26, 2009, 08:51:22 AM
I just got my hydroxyzine RX a few minutes ago. I haven’t taken one yet because it most definitely will knock me out…that’s an absolute guarantee, lol. I always take one about an hour before bed and the entire next day I’m hive free so it’s been pretty easy for me to prevent being drowsy all day. I usually take it every other night.
I don’t know what would have changed but I hope it’s as successful as my last experience. It’s been quite awhile since I’ve had one but only in the past week have I actually *needed* it.
Yes I agree about it knocking you out lol. That is a smart idea about taking them at night, so that way you won’t feel as groggy. Hopefully they will work for you like they did last time. Good luck with them & hopefully your hives will back off.
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Title: Re: My Hives Experiment (lazy, havent been updating enough)
Post by: HiverNation on March 02, 2009, 07:54:55 AM
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hi
first of i apologize for not updating the graph. im a lazy person and i just got tired of that, lol
anyways things are going fine
i just have been exfoliating a ton and excersizing as much as possible
havent had a real problem with hives for a while
on the way to the gym i crank the heater and drive around for only 10 mins or so, by the time im at the gym there is no outbreak when i run
i also will scratch them whenever i feel liek it now and i feel that not scratching them makes it worse. scratch away and exfoliate and if you want to be hive free at a set time, then just take a sauna or go in a car and crank the heater. i think hives has a psychological component also. if you fixate on it and say “i bet hives will come soon i bet hives will come soon” then they will. just pretend u ignore them and scratch them when u want to, take good care of your skin using soap moisture and maximum exfoliation, and if that dont work get more sun
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Title: Re: My Hives Experiment (lazy, havent been updating enough)
Post by: HivesGuy on March 03, 2009, 07:42:28 PM
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Hello Hivernation!
Don’t worry about the updates, we are all lazy by nature, hehe. I am glad you haven’t had any major issues with your hives recently. I too have been trying to scrub/exfoliate more as well as adding lotion each time I get out of the shower.
It hasn’t cured me, but it does seem to make my skin MUCH more comfortable, so I plan to keep doing it for a while.
I am still looking forward to this summer, and I hope I can get as much sun/sweat as possible.
Thanks for the update and let us know if anything new develops!
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Title: Re: My Hives Experiment (lazy, havent been updating enough)
Post by: Lenton on March 03, 2009, 10:08:01 PM
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What exactly are you using, HivesGuy?
I did not hear anything before about that helping, so am curious to what you’re doing to feel more comfortable?
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Title: Re: My Hives Experiment (lazy, havent been updating enough)
Post by: HivesGuy on March 04, 2009, 05:43:15 AM
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Quote from: Lenton on March 03, 2009, 10:08:01 PM
What exactly are you using, HivesGuy?
I did not hear anything before about that helping, so am curious to what you’re doing to feel more comfortable?
I have been using a loofah & scrub sponge to scrub my skin in the shower, and then I moisturize immediately when I get out on my whole body with lotion (generic jergins brand).
It makes my skin feel more comfortable, but it doesn’t stop the hives. I just meant in general I feel better, like my skin feels more silky and less “icky” feeling.
I have also been cleaning up my diet (avoiding milk/gluten). So I still have the hives, but to be honest they really haven’t been terrible lately.
On top of that, I am really optimistic about being able to sweat a lot this summer. I really believe that if I get out a lot and get warm and also get a littlle sun, the hives (at some point) will go away (at least for the summer months).
So I am really positive about it right now, and I encourage everyone else to keep a positive attitude about it. This probably isn’t going to last forever, and in just a few months we may get some relief.
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Title: Re: My Hives Experiment (lazy, havent been updating enough)
Post by: liness on March 07, 2009, 12:30:24 PM
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We still have no real sun in our area yet, but so far since around early February I have been running for longer and longer time periods while wearing layers of clothing to make sure I work up a good sweat. I do this usually every other day. So far, the feeling of needles stabbing me from the inside is totally gone and while there is still some rash redness that shows up at the end of the run, overall the spots on my upper torso are almost gone.
The only thing remaining at this point is still some itching in the evening when the day is about done and I’m getting tired, but even that itching is not as intense as it had been over the past months. Now I am anxious to try some good hard runs in warm sunny weather just to see how the combination works. I will let you all know. At this point, I am convinced there is a way to manage this thing.
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Title: Re: My Hives Experiment (lazy, havent been updating enough)
Post by: HivesGuy on March 08, 2009, 08:05:44 AM
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Quote from: liness on March 07, 2009, 12:30:24 PM
We still have no real sun in our area yet, but so far since around early February I have been running for longer and longer time periods while wearing layers of clothing to make sure I work up a good sweat. I do this usually every other day. So far, the feeling of needles stabbing me from the inside is totally gone and while there is still some rash redness that shows up at the end of the run, overall the spots on my upper torso are almost gone. The only thing remaining at this point is still some itching in the evening when the day is about done and I’m getting tired, but even that itching is not as intense as it had been over the past months. Now I am anxious to try some good hard runs in warm sunny weather just to see how the combination works. I will let you all know. At this point, I am convinced there is a way to manage this thing.
Wow that is great that so far the prickly thing has seemed to get better after your running. I hope the itching goes away soon too, and you can be totally free of Cholinergic Urticaria for a while. I too plan on lots of outdoor activity & sweating this year, and so I hope this works for us.
I agree with you 100% and I think that we will get to a point where we can comfortably manage Cholinergic Urticaria (if not make it go away 100%). I can’t wait to see what the summer brings for all of us, and if the hives improve for the majority of us or not. Thanks for the update and let us know how things progress for you.
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Title: The effect of Sunlight.
Post by: mik on March 08, 2009, 02:37:02 PM
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Hi all. I am new to this, just signed up in march 09.
when reading the most recent entry on the heathives main website, it was mentioned that the editor thought sunlight had little contribution in having an attack. I extreamly disagree.
I’ve had it for a long time now, i’m only 16, had it for just under 2 years. During summer 08 in London where I live, the few days that it was sunny (british weather lol), I couldn’t stay out long, as the attack would start.
And I’ve reseached on other websites, and there is some agreement that sunexposure does contribute to an attack. I am aware it is not the only cause. I get it when i get exited, nervous, scared, suprised, or any unusal mental feeling really. Also when I exercise. Anyway, I came across the following comment,
dc1234
replied on August 2nd, 2005
I’m 21. I have cholinergic uriticaria also. It started 6 months ago in the winter. I’m dying right now since it’s summer and I can’t even go outside. The itch is so unbearable. The instant I get hot, I get itchy and rashy. It’s probably because I used to sweat very easily as a child so that might make it worse. I’m hoping it will go away before I start school but reading about everyone else is making me very pessimistic. People having it for years. I’m currently on zyrtec and tagamet but it doesn’t work that well.
I feel like that quite a lot. I would really appreciate replies, becasue I have suffered for this long, its only recently I have gained stength to become more open about my expirences. I have not told anyone apart from close family – no friends at all know. I would greatly like to talk to hiveguy, I was intrigued my his feelings, expirences etc.
Thanks
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Title: Re: The effect of Sunlight.
Post by: HivesGuy on March 08, 2009, 06:49:53 PM
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Hello Mik,
Great Post & Welcome to the forum!
I am sorry that you too have this hives condition, and I know first-hand that this is extremely frustrating to deal with.
First of all I just wanted to clear up something about the sunlight thing. I think you have misunderstood what I mean exactly. We all know anything that causes our skin to elevate in temperature will cause an attack. Sunlight is no exception. I get an attack all the time in the sun, in fact, sometimes immediately on a really hot day. So there is no question that any heating of our bodies (sunlight included) will cause an attack right away.
What I mean about sunlight exposure is consistent sunlight exposure (perhaps anywhere from 10-60 minutes per day at least 4-5 days per week). The theory is that over time the sunlight might actually correct the hives (while of course up front the heat will cause the hives to occur very fast).
Many of us on the forum have high hopes about getting some more outdoor exposure this summer. Why do many of us think that the sun could be possibly be the key?? Here is why:
1. I have a poll on this website (there are a few links to polls under the main cholinergicurticaria.net page), and one poll on sun exposure showed that a very HIGH percentage of Cholinergic Urticaria people on this site got very little sun exposure (some almost none).
2. I have had Cholinergic Urticaria now for about 7 years (on/off). During the time when my Cholinergic Urticaria actually went away, I was also in the sun & outdoors DAILY! In fact, the first time it went away was when I was outside for several days in a row (it was very hot & sunny) and I detailed my car. It then went away for about 1-3 years.
3. When my hives came back, I was not in the sun at all. I would rarely go outside, and bam, the hives came back.
4. Others on this forum have talked about their hives going away totally during summer months, and say that the sun is their “cure.” There is a whole thread about this.
5. Many of us have Keratosis Pilaris (a bumpy skin condition) on the back of our arms, etc. Keratosis Pilaris usually gets better during sun exposure.
6. The sun produces so many things, from Vitamin D, to regulating glands & hormones, to killing bacteria on the skin, to producing certain proteins when the skin is hit by the sun, etc. In other words, the sun does a lot. It also usually gets really hot & humid, and our sweat glands can open up once our bodies adapt.
So again, of course it will be itchy at first (I even went out in the sun yesterday & got itchy a bit). But the theory that I personally plan to test is this: Will consistent sun exposure eventually make Cholinergic Urticaria go away over time (at least for the whole summer). It may take several weeks, or even a month or two to notice if it works or not, but I can’t wait to find out! There is always a possibility the sun isn’t related at all. But then again, at least I can test this during the summer months (and in fact I have already been trying to take advantage of it).
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About that other post, I can relate with them as well, and I know you must be frustrated as well. The only thing I can tell you is that I know this thing sometimes feels like your life is over, like we are freaks or something. But have HOPE! Chances are (at least according to most published medical articles), this WON’T last forever!
There is a really good chance one day it will go away! Plus, we keep finding out more great info from all of the other posts on here. I really have a lot of optimism and I think we will one day eliminate this. Even if we don’t eliminate it, I KNOW we will find out how to manage it better during the “intense” cycles.
I sympathize with your feeling of wanting to keep this hidden from people. But to be honest, I don’t really mind. Almost everyone I know has seen me have a crazy attack, so now I just pull up my shirt and I am like, check me out! hehe. I know there is a mental thing with this, and it can lead to spells of depression, etc. I too have battled these “down” moments, but I always try to talk to my wife about it, and she helps a lot. If you ever get down, talk with a family member, or heck, feel free to come open up a thread. That is what the site is here for! Support, information, etc.
I have noticed that people I show this to think it is kind of weird, but they actually forget about it all the time. I am not shy about it at all any more. I know that everyone has to deal with medical issues as well, and we are all the same in that regard. People really don’t care and it doesn’t really shock them or anything. I don’t think anyone would think less of you, but then again, I understand your desire to keep it discrete.
I personally don’t like to take antihistamines because they make me feel “groggy” and usually don’t help my hives at all. But then again, some people on here manage Cholinergic Urticaria really well with antihistamines (such as zyrtek or hydroxyzine). Most antihistamines are over the counter, and others require a prescription. A dermatologist can prescribe them if you decide to try some. Just know that it probably won’t eliminate 100% of the symptoms, but it may help.
Anyways, thanks again for the great post, welcome to the forum, and let us know if you have any new information, quesitons, etc.
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Title: Re: The effect of Sunlight.
Post by: tyaa on March 10, 2009, 01:42:31 AM
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HEY…M ALSO SUFFERING FRM URTICARIA SINCE I WAS 10 YRS OLD. I GET Cholinergic Urticaria ATTACK WHENEVER I SWEAT, DO ANY PHYSICAL ACTIVITY THAT MAKES ME TIRED, IF I COOK TOO… AND SIMILARLY LIKE YOU HAVE WRITTEN THAT NERVOUSNESS MAKE YOU GET URT. I ALSO USED TO GET IT AFTER MY EXAMS..IT WOULD SOUND FUNNY BUT AFTER THE EXAM WAS OVER THE AURA OF THE EXAMINATION HALL MADE ME GET A TERRIBLE Cholinergic Urticaria ATTACK.
.I’VE TRIED A LOT OF MEDICINES BUT NOTHING HELPS..I GUESS..GOD LISTENED TO MY PRAYERS AND FOR SOME REASON OR THE OTHER I STOPPED GETTING Cholinergic Urticaria FOR WHOLE ONE YEAR WHEN I WAS 13 YEARS OLD BUT I STARTED GETTING IT AGAIN..NW M 15 N darn WORRIED AS THE SUMMER IS COMING..AN ANCIENT FORM OF MEDICINE IN INDIA IS AYURVEDA. M TAKING AYURVEDIC MEDICINES AND I SUPPOSE THEY ARE PROVIDING ME A BIT OF RELIEF..
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Title: Re: The effect of Sunlight.
Post by: HivesGuy on March 10, 2009, 07:47:18 AM
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Hello Tyaa,
Excellent Post & welcome to the forum!
I am sorry you too have been dealing with Cholinergic Urticaria. I know it is really frustrating. I too sometimes get hives when cooking, and pretty much anything at all that makes me hot.
School was also a big frustration for me, and many times I would develop hives after walking into a hot building, or if I got nervous (a teacher calling on me), etc.
I hope you get some relief this summer, and I hope your hives go away!
Thanks again for the great post!
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Title: Re: The effect of Sunlight.
Post by: mik on March 11, 2009, 02:27:44 AM
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hi Tyaa.
Thanks for the reply. I was surpised by your exam expierence. i had gcses in summer 08, and i had to block out EVERYTHING, all my friends who would make me nervous, the girl i liked, refrain from cracking jokes in case an attack came. it worked about 80% of the time, but some of the times, i just could not control it.
also during summor 08, i worked at a chef. and i would that really bad. however, it wasn’t as bad as i thought it woudl be. This goes back to the point HIVESGUY made abuot consistent exposure to sunlight. I was consistently exposed to kictchen heat – and unless it got really hot and stressful in kitchen, the reaction didn’t come out. also, i had started to do about 1hr of exercise during the day, from cycling outdoors, to exercise bike in my house and pressups etc. i did notice after about 4 weeks doing this, the timing of the outbreak had decreased, when i started this regime, it came out within 5 mins. after about 6 weeks, it took 25 mins. however, with huge amount of school work, i’ve had to abandon this programme and now, if i jog down to the corner shop (less than a minute run) it starts
would also like to thank hives guy for the responce and clearing up my misunderstanding. thanks!
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Title: Re: The effect of Sunlight.
Post by: HivesGuy on March 11, 2009, 08:37:58 AM
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Quote from: mik on March 11, 2009, 02:27:44 AM
would also like to thank hives guy for the responce and clearing up my misunderstanding. thanks!
No problem! I just wanted you to know that you are right how the hot sun can & will cause an immediate attack. But at the same time, I suspect that sunlight can help regulate hormones, produce vitamins, etc. and that if there is a deficiency in those things, the sunlight might actually help in the long run.
Again, this is just an idea or “theory” and time will tell if this works for me or not.
But I definitely sympathize with your hives getting worse, and I hope they back down soon. Hopefully we can all get this figured out and once again live a normal life without the stabbing itching & prickly sensation.
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Title: There is hope for Cholinergic Urticaria sufferers
Post by: liness on March 22, 2009, 12:02:11 PM
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I have not posted for a few weeks so just an update. I have been increasing my running distances and times and for awhile there seemed to be a correlation between longer exercise and reduced attacks. This theory seemed to go down the tubes a little over a week ago when for a few days the itching/scratching came raging back starting from the time I would wake up and only get worse as the day wore on. That was a big let down.
Then last Tuesday we had a day that was about 61F and sunny. I spent about 15 minutes in the afternoon on a deck chair with my shirt off soaking up sun, then another ten minutes working in the yard so the sun hit my back. The sun disappeared after that day but within 48 hours so did any – and I mean any – feeling of the dreaded hives. I did a long run this morning and where I would usually feel some burning in the upper torso after sweating, this time nothing.
Had hot coffee afterwards – again, nothing. I am sitting here in my spare bedroom writing this with a portable heater cranked up – no tingling. And no, I have not adjusted diet nor am I taking any medication. I have no doubts that the Cholinergic Urticaria will return again and am under no illusion that I’m cured but for the first time since last September I feel normal. Is there anyone else getting regular sun yet and noticing any difference??
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Title: Re: There is hope
Post by: HivesGuy on March 22, 2009, 01:04:06 PM
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Hello liness,
Great post & thanks for sharing. That is great that your hives backed off.
As far as the sun exposure thing, I have been out for about 4 days total the past week or so. I still get prickly. As a matter of fact, I was just out there just now, and spent about 1 hour & 15 minutes.
I felt great, but towards the end my skin became warm and it started getting prickly & itchy. So I went ahead and came in for today.
But I still have high hopes for the summer, and I hope that the sun & heat does the trick and I can sweat again. Even if it was only for the whole summer, and came back in the winter. It would just be nice to get some relief for a while!
Just watch out and don’t get a sunburn!
Has anyone tried anything?
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Title: Lack of Sun Exposure and Sunlight Theory for Cholinergic Urticaria Hives
Post by: StrongerThanHives on April 19, 2009, 07:20:49 PM
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(Edit: I have a more accurate description of my experience and situational details 6 posts down)
I’ve been attack free for about 36 hours now.
One of my girl friends, she was trying to get tan for prom, and told me I should come tan with her out on her back deck. I was like… “oh great… what do I say?” “No, because I’m gonna break out in hives and die!?”
I went… and for the first 15 minutes it was hell… I stung all over, but I tried to concentrate on the radio in the background. It went away (mostly) after 30 minutes. (Edit: I did however, have blotchy skin, particularly on the hands and stomach)
I went to prom, in a suit, in 80 degree weather… and didn’t break out once.
I don’t know if it’s gone away completely… I still feel a tingle every now and then… and some more tingling (but not intense stinging) when I do pushups and body rasing activities like that.
I might just need to find some way to get the sun into my daily schedule, but hey…. if it works. 🙂
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Title: Re: Sunlight
Post by: HivesGuy on April 20, 2009, 08:37:50 AM
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That is awesome that you were able to get some relief after you suffered through it. I am glad you had a normal prom without a hives attack :).
It could have been that since you released histamine, you didn’t have too much of it in your body during the prom (many say that after a bad attack it takes about 24 hours to build up to another one). So that could have had something to do with it. In any event, I am glad you got to enjoy your prom.
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Title: Re: Sunlight
Post by: StrongerThanHives on April 20, 2009, 08:15:40 PM
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48+ hours and still hives free. (:
This isn’t like how I felt after I ran before and went into a refractory period without hives. This is different (at least I hope).
I feel a sting very now and then but it’s completely random… I don’t flair up during strenuous events any more.
I’m still taking Zyrtec… but I doubt it’s the cause of my freedom. I’ve got a 30 day supply so I guess I’ll really find out once I run out.
I’m afraid it will come back unless I get back out into the sun so, I’m gonna try to get outside sometime tomorrow. But I also want to wait to see if it comes back. I’m either cured or I just need to keep myself out in the sun more often.
I’m wondering if this could have stemmed from a Vitamin D deficiency… I’ll keep everyone updated.
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Title: Re: Sunlight
Post by: jga on April 20, 2009, 10:16:05 PM
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It was a sunny day today so I was out in the sun, I still kept getting hives. 🙁 I guess it’s different for everyone. Although I did notice very tiny clear bubbles on my skin taking the place of where some hives would usually appear. I remember some other people on the forum mentioned having those clear bubbles, think someone had the theory of it being sweat inside those bubbles.
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Title: Re: Sunlight
Post by: StrongerThanHives on April 21, 2009, 03:28:42 PM
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Over the last 24 hours I’ve had multiple experiences that would have normally brought hives. I almost tripped over my backpack as I was leaving my computer yesterday and got that feeling, right before I use to get attacks, but nothing happened. I had to do some performances for Theater Arts. That kind of attention and activity normally would have brought at least some reaction. Nothing this time.
The only time I felt anything was when I stepped into a really really hot car. This leads me to believe that being in the sun has raised my tolerance level of heat, for a period of time greater than 60+ hours (and still counting) but hasn’t eliminates my core cause completely. I’ve been in temps as cold as 40 and as high as 80 since Saturday the 18th. This variation has allowed me to invest more confidence in the hope that this relief is not evanescent.
I’m still taking Zyrtec (only daily now). I haven’t been back out in the sun for an extended period of time since Saturday.
72 hours and still hives free
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Title: Re: Sunlight
Post by: StrongerThanHives on April 21, 2009, 03:51:42 PM
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Here are some more specifics on my case:
Timeline:
1) I layed out in the sun… and basically tanned like a girl would haha.
2) I experienced intense pain after several minutes of lying in the sun.
3) between 5 and 15 minutes into the “experiment” I was in intense pain, but kept going.
4) At 30 minutes my skin tone had become blotchy all over particularly on the hands and stomach. At this point I went inside for <5 minutes and went back out
5) Layed out for an addition 30 minutes still experiencing several stings, but much less frequently now.
6) No “break-outs” since
Details:
1) naturally tan skin
2) because of the naturally tan skin, I didn’t use sunblock (wouldn’t recommend doing this frequently)
3) I’m 17.5 years old
4) I drank some cold water periodically while laying out.
5) Recently my cat has gone to a new home (but I haven’t shown up at allergic to cats)
6) I’m not allergic (according to lab tests) to anything (that I’ve been tested with… which is all the basics)
7) I’ve been taking Zyrtec daily.
It’s already been said that it’s quite likely Cholinergic Urticaria can stem from multiple triggers. For example one guy’s Cholinergic Urticaria was correlated to dust mites. I believe my case wasn’t so much a trigger as it was a deficiency. This is what makes Cholinergic Urticaria so annoying.
Fortunately, we humans have a tried and tested method, the process of elimination. I hope by more accurately recording the end of my painful journey, I may help someone else find closure to theirs.
***I would like to point out that I’m not a medical expert at all… any steps taken should be taken with pro-caution. From what I have read, some people may have breathing troubles and pass out during extreme attacks, and although death from Cholinergic Urticaria is pretty much unheard of, I’d still hate for something bad to happen when someone could have avoided issues by contacting their doctor first***
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Title: Re: Sunlight
Post by: StrongerThanHives on April 21, 2009, 04:04:08 PM
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Quote from: jga on April 20, 2009, 10:16:05 PM
It was a sunny day today so I was out in the sun, I still kept getting hives.
I wonder if any of these factors might have differentiated significantly enough to cause a difference.
1) length of time in the sun
2) presence of sunscreen
3) how, exactly, you were in the sun
4) use of medication
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Title: Re: Sunlight: as of 72 hours, my cure to hives!
Post by: HivesGuy on April 21, 2009, 06:06:08 PM
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Awesome post! Thanks so much for the update & detailed information. I hope the hives stay gone for a long time to come.
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Title: Re: Sunlight
Post by: jga on April 21, 2009, 06:12:25 PM
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Quote from: StrongerThanHives on April 21, 2009, 04:04:08 PM
Quote from: jga on April 20, 2009, 10:16:05 PM
It was a sunny day today so I was out in the sun, I still kept getting hives.
I wonder if any of these factors might have differentiated significantly enough to cause a difference.
1) length of time in the sun
2) presence of sunscreen
3) how, exactly, you were in the sun
4) use of medication
come to think of it I was only in the sun from walking around for a couple minutes to and from the store in a parking lot and while I was driving in my car (sunlight was hitting my arms, which made it break out), I was wearing a tshirt and pants so I wasn’t soaking up enough sunlight either, no medication at the time either
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Title: Re: Sunlight: as of 72 hours, my cure to hives!
Post by: StrongerThanHives on April 22, 2009, 11:52:37 AM
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Quote
I was only in the sun from walking around for a couple minutes to and from the store in a parking lot and while I was driving in my car
That may have made a difference.
I’ve been in similar situations…. and my hives have not gone away after such incidences.
I would sometimes have a bit of a refractory period, but no permanent break.
It also might be interesting to note that a couple weeks ago I had the [dumb] idea of getting some sun while I was driving.
I only got sun on my arms, and I started itching all over… after a while the itching kind of went of away, but then came back another 30 minutes down the road. This had no permanent effect.
This is the basis of my reasoning on exact method of sunlight exposure.
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Title: Re: Sunlight: as of 96 hours, my cure to hives!
Post by: StrongerThanHives on April 22, 2009, 11:58:37 AM
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96 hours free of hives
Noticed several tingles today, nothing abnormal.
But then I thought… it’s been so long, what is normal?
What is normal itching suppose to feel like lol?
All I know is… this is way better than a week ago.
I did not take Zyrtec this morning. I’m debating on whether to continue the Zyrtec or explore what happens if I quit. I’m still pretty sure Zyrtec has little to do with my vast improvements (again I’ve been on it before).
If the hives come back, I can just start again.
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Title: Re: Sunlight: as of 96 hours, my cure to hives!
Post by: HivesGuy on April 22, 2009, 01:49:37 PM
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Thanks for the update.
If you are already getting tingly I would definitely be cautious. In my last 7 year battle with this, there have been time periods where it sometimes gets better for several days, but then it can come right back and remind me I have it. So just be careful. But hopefully it is gone for good. That would be awesome.
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Title: huge test for sunlight exposure and Cholinergic Urticaria
Post by: hivesblow on April 26, 2009, 08:31:43 AM
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i live in philadelphia and we have been in the 90s all weekend which is crazy for april, so i decided to test my body by laying out in the sun yesterday, for about 15 minutes i had no problem them BAM the hives and extreme itching came and it was painful, after i went inside and cooled off i went back outside again and could last maybe another 5 minutes before coming back inside. i could not sweat at all but im thinking if i can keep getting this sunlight consistently for the next couple weeks then maybe the hives will stop. so ill definetely be finding out soon if getting sunlight can help us out here, but for now it is painful!
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Title: Re: huge test for sunlight exposure
Post by: HivesGuy on April 26, 2009, 02:54:47 PM
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Yeah, I get the pricklies once my body really gets hot outside too. Sometimes (if I carefully suffer through it), I start to sweat after a while. Especially on muggy days. On muggy days you will probably go into sweating faster than hives, and it should get more and more muggy as summer gets closer.
Just watch out for a sunburn, and stay hydrated!
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Title: Re: Sunlight: as of 96 hours, my cure to hives!
Post by: StrongerThanHives on April 26, 2009, 08:21:40 PM
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It’s been awhile.
Last Friday my hives started coming back… not at full force, but I knew my single sunlight exposure incidence was not enough, and if I didn’t start getting back out in the sun soon, I’d be back to my attack prone self. This was good because the entire time I’ve been taking Zyrtec reguraly, which supports my belief that Zyrtec doesn’t help too much. This was also bad because Cholinergic Urticaria sucks. Duh.
So I said to myself… I am NOT going back to the way it was just a week ago.
I got outside… washed the car, got through the pain. Spent a good amount of time outside, pretty much the entire weekend. Tiny prickles, but things got better. To the point where I didn’t get hives almost 100% again.
This was good.
Then… did something, that I’m surprised I could actually do… I went on a legit run in 80 degree weather.
I started to become really hot at 15-20 mins so I slowed down the pace and decided to cap my run at 30 mins. When I finished I was really hot, I was sweating all over my armpits, and a little on my belly button, but nowhere else. My body had no natural way of cooling down. But apparently I can even exercise now without Cholinergic Urticaria interfering (at least with itchy hives) .
Bottom line… getting out in the sun and getting my body temp up once a day, helps. No doubt about it.
This raises new questions: Why can’t I still sweat like I use to? Is it just because my body’s not use to having to sweat or because I am dehydrated? (I’ll be trying to figure this out over the next couple weeks)
What’s the chemistry/biology going on here? Am I simply draining the anti-histamines or am I reintroducing a lacking element into my system?
Anyway, I’ve made a commitment to myself to be out in the sun, doing whatever, running, reading, even napping for at least 30 mins each day. It’s pretty easy now. The hardest part was that first time laying out in the sun.
I just did 3 sets of 20 pushups fast after taking a nice cold shower (which normally would be impossible because of Cholinergic Urticaria). No hives. 🙂 I can finally get back in shape, just gotta avoid overheating.
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Title: Re: huge test for sunlight exposure
Post by: StrongerThanHives on April 26, 2009, 08:33:59 PM
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Good luck!
I remember that first time laying out in the sun was really painful. I would have quit at like 20 mins, if I wouldn’t have looked like a jerk ditching my friend. On top of that I use to be a long distance runner (and now hopefully will be returning to that status), so I know how to push my self through long term physical pain. I kept telling myself I’d stay out for 5 more mins and then I’d go in, but I’d keep extending those 5 mins to another 5mins.
I stayed out until my skin felt unpleasantly hot, but no longer stinging or itching.
I’d try an challenge yourself to see how long you can take the heat, but not before putting on the proper sunscreen and hydrating.
And it’d also probably be a good idea to have somewhere with you as you do it. Just to make sure you’re not gonna die or anything.
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Title: Re: Sun’s my cure
Post by: StrongerThanHives on April 27, 2009, 12:57:29 PM
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I just read over this. It sounds a lot my sun experiment.
Good news: There’s someone else out there who’s experienced the same “cure” as I have.
Bad news: Cholinergic Urticaria comes back once the sun stops shining regularly .
More good news: I’ve got 4 months to figure out how to beat Cholinergic Urticaria (while enjoying it’s absence), before fall, and the cold temperatures come.
And when they do come… I’m gonna have an arsenal of tactics backed by 4 months of research up my sleeve.
I’m not gonna experience last winter all over again… not if I’m half the determined self-scientist I claim to be.
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Title: Re: Forced Sunlight Exposure & Exercise: as of one week, my cure to hives!
Post by: HivesGuy on April 27, 2009, 04:27:04 PM
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That is great that you are being able to sweat & do the things that you used to do. I appreciate your “Don’t give up” attitude! We can beat these hives, it will just take time.
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Title: Re: Forced Sunlight Exposure & Exercise: as of one week, my cure to hives!
Post by: hivesblow on April 27, 2009, 06:22:02 PM
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yep i am trying to do the same thing you are doing, its been 90 degrees the last few days (were having a crazy heatwave in philadelphia–rediculous for april), ive been trying to get alot of sun everyday and ive had hives and its been painful. i even tried laying out without a shirt on but that was too painful to go through. but i feel like im starting to build a tolerance, i will definetely let you know if i see improvement.
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Title: Re: Forced Sunlight Exposure & Exercise: as of one week, my cure to hives!
Post by: StrongerThanHives on April 28, 2009, 03:33:14 AM
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I’m starting to think this whole process, so far, is about building up tolerance…. because I’ve been conditioned to 80 degree weather, but 90 degree weather or a hot car does bring about some prickles.
I think we get better during the summer because once we are conditioned to the warmer temperatures it’s hard for the weather to fluctuate much beyond those days of hot weather, whereas in the fall and winter, there’s much more temperature fluctuation.
I also read some posts by Singaporeans, who live in a hot/warm climate all the time who have Cholinergic Urticaria. They have air conditioning everywhere, so they never really got conditioned to the warm weather because they’re inside the cool air most of the time. This explains why, even though they live in summer year round environment, they still get Cholinergic Urticaria.
So I’m thinking this temporary fix is all about conditioning. I can try to condition my body to tolerate warmer temps during the winter by exercising daily but idk how much it will help.
I’m interested into looking into how sweat clears toxins in the skin&body and further investing time in sweat therapy.
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Title: Re: Forced Sunlight Exposure & Exercise: as of one week, my cure to hives!
Post by: StrongerThanHives on April 28, 2009, 03:38:29 AM
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Quote from: HivesGuy on April 27, 2009, 04:27:04 PM
That is great that you are being able to sweat & do the things that you used to do. I appreciate your “Don’t give up” attitude! We can beat these hives, it will just take time.
haha, thanks.
Yeah we will.
About your car temperature heat/sun exposure blog.
I’ve tried that before, on a really long car ride back from Pittsburgh a couple weeks ago. For some reason it didn’t really work. However, it was one of the worst attacks I’ve experienced before.
When I broke out in the car it was because of the heat, but I wasn’t in the sun, just my left arm. After my sun therapy tanning session however, the Cholinergic Urticaria went away for several days without other forced exposures, just accident ones (which didn’t trigger much until friday)
This is why I think sunlight itself may be related to Cholinergic Urticaria, whereas heat therapy simply drains anti-histamines
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Title: Re: Forced Sunlight Exposure & Exercise: as of one week, my cure to hives!
Post by: StrongerThanHives on April 28, 2009, 03:44:25 AM
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Quote from: hivesblow on April 27, 2009, 06:22:02 PM
but i feel like im starting to build a tolerance, i will definetely let you know if i see improvement.
That’s good.
Keep it up!
It be great if you could catch up to where I am right now. Not only does it make life 10x easier not having to worry about attacks on a daily basis, but then we could start bouncing ideas off each other, like how often we need to get sun exposure to keep Cholinergic Urticaria from coming back and how we can start sweating again.
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Title: Re: Forced Sunlight Exposure & Exercise: as of one week, my cure to hives!
Post by: StrongerThanHives on April 30, 2009, 05:18:56 PM
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I’m still good. Haven’t got too much sunlight lately. But it’s warm here now pretty much everyday.
I’m even starting to sweat a little now that I’m hydrating properly
I try to run at least once every other day.
I still get minor itches from time to time. Haven’t gotten a single “outbreak” since starting this thread.
Because I still exhibit occasion isolated itches that I believe to be heat based, I know I’m not permanently cured.
I want to find a more permanent cure before winter, or at least a way to continue getting sunlight.
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Title: Re: Forced Sunlight Exposure & Exercise: as of one week, my cure to hives!
Post by: hivesblow on April 30, 2009, 06:07:50 PM
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yeah i have not been able to continue my sunlight experiment. since the string of 90 degree weather days that we had earlier in the week we have had alot of cooler cloudy weather. however, ever since those hot days where i sat in the sun (which was painful), i feel like i have definetely build somewhat of a tolerance. for example, i used to do pushups and some other light workouts and i would eventually break out. now it doesnt seem to happen unless i start making the workout more intense. however these days where the temperature is 90 one day and 60 the next isnt really helping out here, its gonna be interesting when the weather stays hot which will be very soon. i also got to have some fun with my gf earlier today without any problems 😉 which is good. before today, ive had to endure the pain in order to have some fun lol. idk if it has happen to any of you guys but having a breakout during sex is no fun!
another thing i noticed is that im starting to sweat from my arm pits and on my bum lol. ( as nasty as it sounds but its progress!) however i still do not sweat on my forehead or anywhere else. well theres my update….definetely keep this thread going it has given me hope!!
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Title: Re: Forced Sunlight Exposure & Exercise: as of one week, my cure to hives!
Post by: HivesGuy on May 01, 2009, 12:40:02 PM
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Quote from: hivesblow on April 30, 2009, 06:07:50 PM
yeah i have not been able to continue my sunlight experiment. since the string of 90 degree weather days that we had earlier in the week we have had alot of cooler cloudy weather. however, ever since those hot days where i sat in the sun (which was painful), i feel like i have definetely build somewhat of a tolerance. for example, i used to do pushups and some other light workouts and i would eventually break out. now it doesnt seem to happen unless i start making the workout more intense. however these days where the temperature is 90 one day and 60 the next isnt really helping out here, its gonna be interesting when the weather stays hot which will be very soon. i also got to have some fun with my gf earlier today without any problems 😉 which is good. before today, ive had to endure the pain in order to have some fun lol. idk if it has happen to any of you guys but having a breakout during report is no fun!
another thing i noticed is that im starting to sweat from my arm pits and on my bum lol. ( as nasty as it sounds but its progress!) however i still do not sweat on my forehead or anywhere else. well theres my update….definetely keep this thread going it has given me hope!
Yea, it has been getting more rainy/cooler here as well. I feel you pain about the “fun” with your woman. I am lucky that it doesn’t happen a lot, but I do occasionally get an outbreak while having “fun” lol.
That is great that you are sweating, and hopefully you will sweat everywhere soon. I am even trying to avoid deodorant on days when I don’t have to go out just to help aid the “sweating” that I hope will happen within the next few months.
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Title: Re: Forced Sunlight Exposure & Exercise: as of one week, my cure to hives!
Post by: StrongerThanHives on May 02, 2009, 10:46:44 AM
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Sorry you haven’t been able to continue… inconsistent weather really messes things up.
It’s been warm here forever now… and I’m having to making less and less of a concentrated effort to get sun, because it’s already there haha.
I feel you on the “fun” part lol.
I remember the first time I broke out while having “fun” with my girlfriend.
It was really annoying. Really. Really. Really. Annoying.
That’s when I started doing histamine drains before hand by exercising.
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Title: Re: Forced Sunlight Exposure & Exercise: no attacks for two weeks
Post by: StrongerThanHives on May 02, 2009, 10:52:11 AM
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So I’m still doing good.
No “attacks” so far.
I’ve noticed I’ll itch a bit more if a consume a lot of sugar. My guess is that the metabolic burning of the sugar raises my body temperature beyond what my body can handle.
I’ve been kinda sick for the past couple days.
Stuffy nose. No fever
Been trying as much as I can to drink a lot of water and get out as much mucus as possible.
This is the first time I’ve been “sick” at all since having Cholinergic Urticaria.
I wonder if the timing has any significance.
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Title: SUNLIGHT THEORY in regards to Cholinergic Urticaria
Post by: jamie2346 on May 02, 2009, 10:54:53 PM
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Im definitely gonna test the sunlight theory today. my hives have gotten so bad that i itch from it 24-7 now. I worked an overnight job for almost year and didnt get any sunlight once for a whole year. my lab tests are all normal. you know what,my grandfather said he had the same condition at my age and when he got ajob working out in the sun it went away. Also my doctor said a low serotonin level in the brain can really cause hives.
Serotonin effects body temperature,mood,energy,appetite. it also sends signals via the nervous system. The administrator for this site already posted an article on it when he spoke of the hypothalymus function in the brain. a low serotonin level can cause anxiety or depression. Sunlight is a natural anti-depressant folks! The doctor did describe an anti-depressant to me a few weeks back for my hives and it really worked but the side effects were horrible so he told me to stop.
i didnt have much depression anyways but i did have a low serotonin level. as of right now mentally i feel great but the itching continues. the sunlight theory makes perfect sense to me. i didnt start getting hives until many months at the overnight job. So for any of you who have normal blood and allergy tests you might want to look into anti-depressants. remember you dont actually be depressed to get prescribed anti-depressants. you might just have physical symptoms like i did. i only tried one anti-depressant by the way but there are many to choose from but i decided to try this sun therapy first lol. ill keep u guys posted
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Title: Re: SUNLIGHT THEORY
Post by: HivesGuy on May 03, 2009, 10:51:22 AM
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Wow, that is definitely interesting that you didn’t get sunlight for a whole year. I am shamed to admit that I too got very little (almost none) for a very long time as well.
That is great news about your grandfather telling you that because:
1. He is still alive (we hopefully aren’t dying soon). That is always nice to know.
2. It went away. I pray that all of us figure out how to make this go away forever.
I suspect the sunlight thing could very well work, however, I also suspect it won’t work quickly. It may be a process of weeks or months to get things to level off in the body if the theory is correct. In any event, please be cautious as to avoid sun burn, skin cancer, and also heat exhaustion (since we can’t sweat easily).
I look forward to the end of this summer as I suspect many of us will have answers to if the sunlight has helped/cured us. Thanks for the info!
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Title: Re: Forced Sunlight Exposure & Exercise: as of one week, my cure to hives!
Post by: HivesGuy on May 03, 2009, 10:58:28 AM
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That’s great that you are still doing good strongerthanhives.
I also have noticed something similar to what you described about increase sugar intake. I have been drinking a few cokes lately (actually an off brand), eating some sugary snacks, and I do feel a little more reactive as of recent.
I have had a few minor colds since having Cholinergic Urticaria, but I have not had a serious illness that required antibiotics in the past 7 years (the first time I got Cholinergic Urticaria). So I don’t know if the cold is signficant or not, but watch out for that swine flu! I do find it very odd that I haven’t had strep throat (something I used to get almost yearly), or anything else that has required antibiotics.
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Title: Re: Lack of sunlight theory
Post by: HivesGuy on May 03, 2009, 11:01:33 AM
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Again, good luck with the sun theory. I hope it works for us all. It is just starting to get warm here, so within the next month or two I hope to really start to increase my sun exposure every chance I get. I am just going to beware of sunburns, heat exhaustion, and skin cancer! That would be even worse than hives.
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Title: Re: SUNLIGHT THEORY
Post by: Henrik on May 03, 2009, 12:01:37 PM
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Quote from: jamie2346 on May 02, 2009, 10:54:53 PM
Im definitely gonna test the sunlight theory today. my hives have gotten so bad that i itch from it 24-7 now. I worked an overnight job for almost year and didnt get any sunlight once for a whole year. my lab tests are all normal. you know what,my grandfather said he had the same condition at my age and when he got ajob working out in the sun it went away. Also my doctor said a low serotonin level in the brain can really cause hives.
Curiously, the very first Cholinergic Urticaria attack I remember occured right after I had worked for three weeks at an overnight job, sleeping all day and thus getting very little sun exposure. It was in the summer. It could just be a coincidence of course. Today I have an indoor job, and I get very little sun exposure.
My skin itches 24/7 as well (especially on the scalp) and has done so for the last three years (I’ve had Cholinergic Urticaria for eight years). The chronic itching that I have is much less intense than the heat induced itching, but since it’s almost always present it’s actually an even worse problem for me than the heat induced itching. I have often wondered how much the 24/7 itching is related to stress.
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Title: Re: SUNLIGHT THEORY
Post by: jamie2346 on May 03, 2009, 01:33:06 PM
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Yeah Henrik it seems me and you have exactly the same condition. I too notice there is a difference between the heat induced itching and the 24/7 itching. The heat induced itching is much more intense but i would rather have that then the 24/7 itch. I tried the sun experiment today. I went out there for 1 hour and 20 minutes. I wore suncreen of course. At first it was stinging bad but i listened to music to relax. After it was all said and done i was sweating from head to toe!!! Before i couldnt even sweat at all when exercising for 4 months. All i did was lie there on the beach chair by the pool. I feel a little improvement but the itchiness is still there. I think it will take time before it gets much better. Though i do agree the 24/7 itch is triggered by stress, im just wondering why it continues even though my stress is no longer there. Anyways i will keep you guys updated. To HivesGuy: Yeah my grandfather is 81 years old and still smokes and is doing great lol.
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Title: Re: SUNLIGHT THEORY
Post by: StrongerThanHives on May 03, 2009, 07:18:30 PM
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Yay!
I’m really glad someone else was able to get through the same kind of test I did.
Hopefully you’ll experience some improvements.
Good luck.
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Title: Re: Forced Sunlight Exposure & Exercise: as of one week, my cure to hives!
Post by: StrongerThanHives on May 03, 2009, 07:21:25 PM
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I was a little itchier than normal today. My guess is because it was warmer than usual and I haven’t gotten much legit sun lately… Hopefully tomorrow I can just lay out in the sun and study for my AP Stat test.
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Title: Re: Forced Sunlight Exposure & Exercise: as of one week, my cure to hives!
Post by: StrongerThanHives on May 03, 2009, 07:22:11 PM
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Quote
That’s great that you are still doing good strongerthanhives.
Thanks!
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Title: Re: SUNLIGHT THEORY
Post by: Lenton on May 03, 2009, 10:06:10 PM
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I did it Friday Night. I had to build a fence in the backyard. The first few hours were hivey, but I didn’t TRY to work through it, just went inside whenever it happened. But at about 6 I started sweating and it was AMAZING! Best feeling I’ve had in forever. I stayed out there working til it was too dark to do it, singing a tune the whole time, loving the sweat.
But then Saturday I had a very mild break out when I went into a hot room. I am not healed, but getting yourself to sweat totally works.
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Title: Re: Lack of sunlight theory
Post by: MoshiMoshi on May 04, 2009, 12:42:29 AM
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Arguably, this theory has some truth in it. If you are to expose yourself to sunlight (sunlight therapy perhaps) then technically your body should be gradually adapting to greater temperatures which should have some benefit in the warm seasons.
It works for me to some extent, but then again this sort of thing can be dangerous in the long term. If you do decide to expose yourself to sunlight then don’t push the boundaries or you could get heat stroke
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Title: Re: SUNLIGHT THEORY
Post by: HivesGuy on May 04, 2009, 11:11:58 AM
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Quote from: Lenton on May 03, 2009, 10:06:10 PM
I did it Friday Night. I had to build a fence in the backyard. The first few hours were hivey, but I didn’t TRY to work through it, just went inside whenever it happened. But at about 6 I started sweating and it was AMAZING! Best feeling I’ve had in forever. I stayed out there working til it was too dark to do it, singing a tune the whole time, loving the sweat.
But then Saturday I had a very mild break out when I went into a hot room. I am not healed, but getting yourself to sweat totally works.
I can totally relate to your happiness from sweating. I too LOVE it when I can sweat & do whatever I want without the prickly cholinergic urticaria.
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Title: Re: SUNLIGHT THEORY
Post by: MoshiMoshi on May 04, 2009, 12:18:20 PM
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Quote from: HivesGuy on May 04, 2009, 11:11:58 AM
Quote from: Lenton on May 03, 2009, 10:06:10 PM
I did it Friday Night. I had to build a fence in the backyard. The first few hours were hivey, but I didn’t TRY to work through it, just went inside whenever it happened. But at about 6 I started sweating and it was AMAZING! Best feeling I’ve had in forever. I stayed out there working til it was too dark to do it, singing a tune the whole time, loving the sweat.
But then Saturday I had a very mild break out when I went into a hot room. I am not healed, but getting yourself to sweat totally works.
I can totally relate to your happiness from sweating. I too LOVE it when I can sweat & do whatever I want without the prickly cholinergic urticaria.
When my Cholinergic Urticaria disappears i sware right here that every second i breathe im gonna be running!
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Title: Re: SUNLIGHT THEORY
Post by: HivesGuy on May 06, 2009, 05:00:10 AM
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Yes! When my Cholinergic Urticaria goes away, I am going to run, jump, pump iron, play sports, and go crazy! I want to get drenched with sweat every day. I will never take sweat for granted again.
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Title: Re: Lack of sunlight theory
Post by: Jennasmom on May 06, 2009, 12:12:03 PM
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I’ve been researching vitamin D deficiencies. I have noticed that most people on this site breakout in the winter. Vitamin D is essential for the body to absorb calcium, and is not prevelent in food but our bodies when exposed to sun manufacture it. The darker your complextion the greater the amount of sun exposure needed. Anyone have low calcium? My daughter is prepubecent and she’s growing like a weed. When I think back to her previous bouts of Cholinergic Urticaria she was growing at the time.
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Title: Re: Lack of sunlight theory
Post by: HivesGuy on May 06, 2009, 02:13:33 PM
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Quote from: Jennasmom on May 06, 2009, 12:12:03 PM
I’ve been researching vitamin D deficiencies. I have noticed that most people on this site breakout in the winter. Vitamin D is essential for the body to absorb calcium, and is not prevelent in food but our bodies when exposed to sun manufacture it. The darker your complextion the greater the amount of sun exposure needed. Anyone have low calcium? My daughter is prepubecent and she’s growing like a weed. When I think back to her previous bouts of Cholinergic Urticaria she was growing at the time.
I have made several posts suggesting the sunlight or vitamin D could be playing a role in Cholinergic Urticaria. However, I have tried vitamin D-3 supplements, and I did not see relief. So I don’t think it is vitamin D deficiency causing cholinergic urticaria at this time (although it could be).
I know that the sun can produce all sorts of chemicals in our bodies, regulate hormones, etc. So I still think sunlight in general could be playing a role in Cholinergic Urticaria, and vitamin D could play a small role as well. Hopefully by the end of this summer we will know more about it, and whether the sunlight does anything to help cholinergic urticaria.
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Title: MY Cholinergic Urticaria IS CURED!!!!!!!!
Post by: jamie2346 on May 08, 2009, 09:41:20 PM
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Hi im the guy who said i would post my sunlight treatment results. Well after 4 to 5 days of being in the sun in the last 2 weeks, im cured of my Cholinergic Urticaria. 3 of days were spent tanning and swimming and the other were spent playing basketball. I no longer have trouble sweating and i have also gotten some energy back. along with sunlight, im taking a multivitamin, cod liver oil capsule and plenty of water. Doctor said b12 deficiency or even just a low b12 level can cause urticaria or just itching. i had some specific blood work done this time to check b12. ill give you results of that when it comes back. IT FEELS GOOD TO GET EXCITED, HAPPY, ANGRY, WITHOUT GOING THROUGH AN ITCH ATTACK. I wish u guys the best and i will continue to post on here.
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Title: Re: MY Cholinergic Urticaria IS CURED!!!!!!!!
Post by: fumduk on May 09, 2009, 09:12:20 AM
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Congrats!! That’s great your feelin fine, I to am trying sun exposure and it seems to be helping a lot but it is still not hot enough to get a good sweat going here.
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Title: Re: MY Cholinergic Urticaria IS CURED!!!!!!!!
Post by: MoshiMoshi on May 09, 2009, 11:52:18 AM
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Quote from: jamie2346 on May 08, 2009, 09:41:20 PM
🙂 Hi im the guy who said i would post my sunlight treatment results. Well after 4 to 5 days of being in the sun in the last 2 weeks, im cured of my Cholinergic Urticaria. 3 of days were spent tanning and swimming and the other were spent playing basketball. I no longer have trouble sweating and i have also gotten some energy back. along with sunlight, im taking a multivitamin, cod liver oil capsule and plenty of water. Doctor said b12 deficiency or even just a low b12 level can cause urticaria or just itching. i had some specific blood work done this time to check b12. ill give you results of that when it comes back. IT FEELS GOOD TO GET EXCITED, HAPPY, ANGRY, WITHOUT GOING THROUGH AN ITCH ATTACK. I wish u guys the best and i will continue to post on here.
Congratulations! It must feel so good! Im gonna start on monday, seeing as im on study leave!
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Title: Re: SUNLIGHT THEORY
Post by: Yami225 on May 10, 2009, 02:13:46 AM
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Hmm, reading about this theory is making sense of why I might have started to get the hives as well. Back in summer 08, I started to sleep much later, waking in the afternoon or even in the night. It was partially due to the fact that I always was stopped from staying up at night by highschool, and it somehow helped cope with a bad breakup at the time. The point is, ever since then, I haven’t really been on a good sleep schedule that kept me up in the daylight, meaning less sunlight. I’ve been a creature of the night for almost a year. Last summer was when I first noticed the hives, and its been worse ever since. I need to try and get out more :-
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Title: Re: SUNLIGHT THEORY
Post by: HivesGuy on May 10, 2009, 03:30:36 PM
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Quote from: Yami225 on May 10, 2009, 02:13:46 AM
Hmm, reading about this theory is making sense of why I might have started to get the hives as well. Back in summer 08, I started to sleep much later, waking in the afternoon or even in the night. It was partially due to the fact that I always was stopped from staying up at night by highschool, and it somehow helped cope with a bad breakup at the time. The point is, ever since then, I haven’t really been on a good sleep schedule that kept me up in the daylight, meaning less sunlight. I’ve been a creature of the night for almost a year. Last summer was when I first noticed the hives, and its been worse ever since. I need to try and get out more :-.
Hello Yami225,
Excellent post & welcome to the forum!
That is interesting how you too seem to be one who gets very little sun exposure. That seems to be a common occurance with most of us Cholinergic Urticaria people.
It will be interesting to see if the sun thing helps us within the next few months!
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Title: Re: MY Cholinergic Urticaria IS CURED!!!!!!!!
Post by: HivesGuy on May 10, 2009, 03:31:50 PM
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That is so awesome. I honestly think that sunlight & outdoor activity really helps us to sweat normally again, and to help Cholinergic Urticaria.
I just hope it stays this way forever. Let us know if it comes back or if anything changes.
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Title: Re: MY Cholinergic Urticaria IS CURED!!!!!!!!
Post by: Henrik on May 11, 2009, 08:21:41 AM
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Wow – that sounds amazing with your Cholinergic Urticaria dissapearing! I hope it will stay that way. Please keep us updated whether or not anything changes – that would be very helpful for the rest of us.
Btw. how’s it going with the 24/7 itching (the one not triggered by heat) which you described earlier in another post? Has it gone into remission as well?
All the best.
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Title: Re: MY Cholinergic Urticaria IS CURED!!!!!!!!
Post by: MoshiMoshi on May 11, 2009, 09:35:22 AM
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Right im gonna go outside and try and get myself to sweat. Wish me luck!
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Title: Re: MY Cholinergic Urticaria IS CURED!!!!!!!!
Post by: jamie2346 on May 11, 2009, 08:03:56 PM
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Hey guys I am still hives free as of today. Yes Henrik the 24/7 itch is 95% better. My b12 tests came back and they were normal. Doctor wanted to test me for the EBV which causes Mono. Ill get those results back in 4 days. Im going tanning again tomorrow and exercising. Zyrtec will also help your hives slightly i have found.
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Title: Cholinergic Urticaria is back :-
Post by: StrongerThanHives on May 13, 2009, 04:30:32 PM
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I was hive free for around 3 weeks, after spending a long day in the sun.
My Cholinergic Urticaria is back, not 100%, but I’d say 80% back to average winter intensity
Why…? Two possible reasons are…
1. I stopping getting extended time in the sun.
2. I stopped taking Zyrtec.
I believe it is the former over the latter.
This is regression bad because…
1. Cholinergic Urticaria hurts and is distracting.
2. I hate Cholinergic Urticaria.
3. Did I mention I REALLY hate Cholinergic Urticaria.
This is okay because…
1. If my theory is correct, I will be forced to deal with this inevitable regression in the winter anyway.
2. It confirms that my cure was not permanent.
My current [Cholinergic Urticaria-related] goals:
1. Get more time in the sun… so I can go back to being hives free for the rest of the summer (make a commitment to run everyday and/or spend at least 1 hour shirtless in the sun).
2. Research a more permanent solution.
Good luck to all in your future Cholinergic Urticaria battles
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Title: Re: Cholinergic Urticaria is back :-
Post by: HivesGuy on May 13, 2009, 04:49:59 PM
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Sorry to hear that Strongerthanhives!
I know it can be a pain in the butt to try something, and it works, only to have Cholinergic Urticaria come right back & sting the crap out of us.
I know we won’t have this forever! Don’t lose hope.
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Title: Re: Sun’s my cure
Post by: Duper on May 27, 2009, 12:54:40 AM
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This is VERY interesting. One of my friends just developed Cholinergic Urticaria (crazy right?) over the past few months. He also doesn’t get much sunlight exposure…
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Title: Re: Sun’s my cure
Post by: HivesGuy on May 27, 2009, 04:50:17 AM
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Quote from: Duper on May 27, 2009, 12:54:40 AM
This is VERY interesting. One of my friends just developed Cholinergic Urticaria (crazy right?) over the past few months. He also doesn’t get much sunlight exposure…
That is very interesting. Another odd thing I have noticed is this: My wife’s digestion is almost becoming like mine. She can’t tolerate a lot of foods anymore. I also read that vitamin D levels can affect the villi (the hair-like things in the intestines that help digest foods). So this is odd, but she still doesn’t have hives or anything. I can’t wait to get regular sun exposure consistently.
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Title: Re: Sun’s my cure
Post by: Monkey on May 27, 2009, 08:33:14 PM
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First post, hopefully not my last. I, too, plan to make a post in this forum hopefully in a few minutes.
I would like to second this “Sun cure” – I noticed this same sort of effect, only in a STEAM ROOM of all places! I was at the local fitness center for a field trip (long story why we go there), and I remembered from the last time, the steam room was AMAZING. However, at that time, I didn’t have Cholinergic Urticaria. Joy.
The last time, however, I did. I knew it would happen, the itchiness, the unbearable pain – the whole works. But I said screw it, the steam room is just too amazing. So I endured it – best decision I had made in a while, even though I had no idea it would work in the first place.
Yes, the first 10 minutes or so were so completely unbearable, one of the worst itches I had gotten up until that point, but after a while, just like this sun incident, it actually started to subside – while I was in there! And the most amazing thing happened – the Cholinergic Urticaria went AWAY for around… if I remember right, a few days. Completely gone! No prickliness, no hives – not a single red pen dot even under my most sensitive area (under my watch – that’s how I know I’m getting them, as they’ll show up there first).
I definitely think this is a pathway of treatment totally worth researching further into. Perhaps prolonged exposure to an environment trigger somehow lowers the effects? That sounds absurd, but it seems like everyone here agrees on it.
As for the sun trigger, I, too, have noticed the relief after a while (or my main trigger, a hot car that has been sitting in the sun), but not like the steam room.
Unfortunately, I don’t know any temperature or humidity percentage or whatever of the steam room I was in, so I can’t offer any sort of experimental data 🙁
Anyways, thanks for this post. Very interesting account here.
-Monkey
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Title: Re: Sun’s my cure
Post by: HivesGuy on May 28, 2009, 05:06:45 AM
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Yeah Monkey, I have heard of a lot of Cholinergic Urticaria people that have actually purchased a mini-sauna/steam capsule to sit in every single day. Some say it helps manage their hives a lot, but they are pricey.
I think sweat definitely helps us, but we have to go through so much torture sometimes to get there. I personally can’t wait to try more experiments with the sweating & sunlight over the next few months.
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Title: Re: Sun’s my cure
Post by: Monkey on May 28, 2009, 10:47:49 AM
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Yes they are incredibly expensive. And so am I. Schools tough at the moment, so I don’t want the hives interfering at this point. I’ll just stick to cool rooms and such.
But the second summer hits, I’m definitely hitting the sunlight!
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Title: Re: Sun’s my cure
Post by: Jennasmom on June 02, 2009, 06:26:02 AM
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Well I’m sold. Jenna has spent aproximately 4 hours in the pool and she has a great base tan (American Indian heritage). The first time the water was 72 degrees and she broke out (cold Cholinergic Urticaria now). She still gets really red in the face but no hives! She still isn’t sweating. Funny thing we noticed though, when she breaks out it’s everywhere but her arms. Arm pits yes but not on her arms. It’s mostly on her legs and stomach. 🙂
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Title: Re: Cholinergic Urticaria is back :-
Post by: StrongerThanHives on June 02, 2009, 01:56:29 PM
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I’m fairly convinced my hives are correlated to Sun exposer.
Simply. Put
About once a week I need to get really hot in the sun. Push through the pain. And I’m fine for a week depending on the intensity of the exposure.
Going to take a run, as it has been a little over a week and I’m starting to get itchy again.
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Title: Re: Sun’s my cure
Post by: HivesGuy on June 03, 2009, 07:42:13 AM
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Quote from: Jennasmom on June 02, 2009, 06:26:02 AM
Well I’m sold. Jenna has spent aproximately 4 hours in the pool and she has a great base tan (American Indian heritage). The first time the water was 72 degrees and she broke out (cold Cholinergic Urticaria now). She still gets really red in the face but no hives! She still isn’t sweating. Funny thing we noticed though, when she breaks out it’s everywhere but her arms. Arm pits yes but not on her arms. It’s mostly on her legs and stomach. 🙂
That is excellent news that it seems to be doing better for your daughter. I hope the sun does help her, because I know how frustrating that must be for her. Several people on here do seem to be helped by the sun, even if only temporary.
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Title: Cholinergic Urticaria free for a week and a half
Post by: Lenton on June 03, 2009, 11:05:59 AM
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All about the sun my friends. I have no AC in the car, and have been playing Croquet every day almost. I have not had hives since two Sundays ago. It is about 85-90 degrees over here in Georgia. It is definately possible to be hive free, the answer just may be force yourself out in the sun rather then a medicine.
Besides, who doesn’t love being out in the sun? 🙂
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Title: Re: Lack of sunlight theory
Post by: pinkleopard on June 08, 2009, 12:37:12 PM
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using a tanning bed has helped me a bit. i often will get a few hives right after exposure, but they split within the hour and i am usually good for the rest of that day!
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Title: Re: Sun’s my cure
Post by: Duper on June 08, 2009, 07:16:21 PM
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Hey guys. I’m currently doing some research on Cholinergic Urticaria since I have free time right now (so expect a big post from me within the next few weeks).
Anyway, I will be keeping a personal log of my breakouts, diet, etc (I suggest you do the same; it can be very helpful. For example, last summer, I realized that selenium supplements increased the severity of my breakouts).
Back to the topic. I’m researching through my school’s database right now for articles on Cholinergic Urticaria and ran across this. My school doesn’t have the entire article online, but perhaps someone else might have access through whatever databases they may have?
Title: Ultraviolet light therapy in chronic urticaria.
Source: Acta Dermato-Venereologica [Acta Derm Venereol] 1985; Vol. 65 (5), pp. 449-50.
Abstract
Fifteen patients with chronic urticaria were treated with ultraviolet light B (UVB) for 1-3 months during the spring 1984 and a follow-up study was performed in November 1984-January 1985. Patients with cold urticaria, cholinergic urticaria and dermographism became clearly better or got rid of their symptoms more often than those with “non-specific” chronic urticaria. The good results achieved during the phototherapy held during the summer but in the autumn urticaria became worse in one third of the cases. The result suggests that UV-therapy might be worth trying in many patients with chronic urticaria.
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Title: Re: Sun’s my cure
Post by: HivesGuy on June 10, 2009, 09:46:24 AM
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Hey Duper,
Thanks for the update and for sharing that article excerpt. It does seem interesting that the UV light did help some of the cases. I think perhaps that is why so many on the forum seem to get better during summer months or times of sun exposure.
Perhaps the sunlight/UV, etc. is doing something to the body that helps it to fix whatever is wrong in the first place (even if only temporarily).
Anyway, thanks again for sharing!
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Title: Everyone else has tried sun therapy for Cholinergic Urticaria, I’ll try it too.
Post by: coscass on June 12, 2009, 01:17:24 PM
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Sadly I failed at this go. Just a simple walk to the mailbox, back, and back out because I forgot to flip the flag again made my entire back tingle and prickle. The second I stepped into the shade I felt relief. It wouldn’t have been too bad if I hadn’t scratched it, which resulted in this:
[no need to point out the fat rolls] 😉
Any tips?
I’m also going to take a shower without my pill, and if I get the hives, I’ll take pictures of them and post them here.
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Title: Re: Everyone else has tried sun therapy, I’ll try it too.
Post by: HivesGuy on June 12, 2009, 04:01:01 PM
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Hey coscass,
Thanks for the link. I definitely feel in your frustrations.
Your hives and skin look a whole lot like mine after a reaction. I see some general redness (flushing), and then see a few small pinpoint hives here and there. I can also see the claw marks lol from the scratching (I always have those too). That is very similar to what I look like after a reaction.
As far as tips, I would be very careful if you try to get some sun. What I have done in the past (and others have mentioned) is to get a squirt bottle with really cold water in it. Then, get some sun. When you feel the pricklies, squirt yourself to cool down.
If that doesn’t work, you can take short break and cool down inside, and then return back outside. If you do this over the course of a few days, you may be able to eventually break a sweat, or the hives may lower in intesity. Just be careful not to get a burn or get dehydrated.
While you are in the shower, if the hives get to crazy you can always turn it down to colder water, and that will probably help stop it (at least, it does for me). Luckily, I hardly ever get shower attacks. Anyway, good luck, and thanks for sharing that pic.
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Title: Re: Everyone else has tried sun therapy, I’ll try it too.
Post by: coscass on June 13, 2009, 07:04:14 PM
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It was rainy today so that didn’t work. But I did take a pretty long bath today (about an hour, maybe an hour and a half. I was reading a book) and had a bit of a reaction. Sometimes I can take baths and showers and have no reaction at all, sometimes I only have a slight reaction. Sometimes nothing.
USUALLY I get a few hives, and if I don’t itch them, they don’t bother me. That’s how mine were. Until I got out of the water and decided to scratch one site to show the irritation. Anyway, does this look like what anyone else has.
By the way, the water in the tub was pretty hot, but usually this happens in hot, cold, or lukewarm water. I normally get a rash on my legs, too, but since that didn’t happen I couldn’t get a picture.
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Title: Re: Everyone else has tried sun therapy, I’ll try it too.
Post by: MoshiMoshi on June 14, 2009, 10:40:19 AM
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I tried these sun experiments, but interestingly what i found out was: if im motionless and not being active my hives are usually more severe than after a bit of activity. So it would probably be of benefit if you are active in the sun rather than be idle
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Title: Re: Everyone else has tried sun therapy, I’ll try it too.
Post by: HivesGuy on June 14, 2009, 02:20:03 PM
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It does look similar to mine. I can vary from no physical symptoms (itching only), to red flushing areas, to small pinpoint hives. So it does look rather similar to mine.
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Title: Re: Everyone else has tried sun therapy, I’ll try it too.
Post by: coscass on June 26, 2009, 11:27:01 AM
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I’ve been out in the sun almost every day now. No hives so far, but no sweating, either.
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Title: Re: Everyone else has tried sun therapy, I’ll try it too.
Post by: coscass on June 29, 2009, 05:37:37 PM
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I figured instead of spamming all over, I’d use this site to show my pictures, too. Not that I’m all bragging about my hives or anything, but I just want to see if this is what other people have.
Anyway, this was after a shower when I didn’t take my pill.
These are the hives I get on my face/neck/chest/back.
This is my back. Relatively small breakout there.
I also attempted to get a picture of the ‘rash’ on my legs. You’ll have to look hard, but it’s definitely there:
However, since being out in the sun (along with my cetrizine + singulaur (which i might have to get off of because it gives me vivid dreams/keeps me awake)) I haven’t had any hives at all! I haven’t started sweating yet, but I’m slowly starting to tan.
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Title: Re: Everyone else has tried sun therapy, I’ll try it too.
Post by: coscass on June 30, 2009, 12:52:31 PM
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I had my doc. apt today, so I figured I’d fill you guys in. Sorry to keep “spamming”, but at least I’m doing it in one thread lol.
Anyway, I told my doc the singulair was giving me weird dreams/insomnia (like it did the last time I took it), and she said that singulair was optional, and that the cetrizine was what was really keeping my hives at bay. So I’m going to try taking the cetrizine in the morning and see if my extreme fatigue goes away. I was at the point where I could sleep until 4-5 in the afternoon if you’d let me.
I mentioned this site to her, and also mentioned that a lot of you have benefited from sun exposure and think that a vitamin D deficency could be a big part of this. She seemed surprised that I knew so much, and agreed, and wrote me up for a blood test that I may or may not take. I think I’ll just start taking vitamin d supplements and see if that helps at all before getting the test. (my insurense is wonky)
I really don’t like singulair. The first week it was fine. Then I started to notice vivid, weird dreams/nightmares, and noticed that I wasn’t sleeping as well as I usually do. I thought it was because I was exhausted. I’m the kind of person who regularly stays up until 2-3AM, so I figured I’ll just go to bed earlier and get up earlier. I would set my alarm for 9, 10, 10:30, 11, 11:30.. and would end up getting up at 12PM or 1PM. Not good.
So we’ll see how this all works.
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Title: Re: Everyone else has tried sun therapy, I’ll try it too.
Post by: HivesGuy on June 30, 2009, 01:10:15 PM
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Hey Coscass,
First of all, you aren’t spamming at all, lol. I appreciate all of the great info you have provided. Spamming is when these jerks come on here and try to sell viagra to everyone (or warning, or whatever). So I just want to make it clear I always am interested in the type of information you have provided (as I am sure everyone else is as well). You certainly aren’t bothering anyone.
I hope that the centrizine alone still works great. That is rather odd that the singulair was giving you weird dreams & insomnia. I have never taken it, and after hearing that I probably never will :-.
Those pictures do look a lot like my hives by the way, and other pics I have seen of cholinergic urticaria.
That is also interesting about your conversation regarding the vitamin d. I really suspect this is involved with Cholinergic Urticaria in a big way. Of course, only time will tell, but after reading countless articles on it online, and all the genes that vitamin d can regulate, I convinced that it probably has some involvement, and the fact that my own experience seems to correspond with lack of sunlight, and so many others on here confirm it as well.
I totally understand about the insurance thing, as that is why I too avoid going to the doctor as much as possible. I would love to get vitamin d tested, and allergy tested, and if anyone on here does have good insurance, I would highly recommend a vitamin d test.
I have been getting a lot more sun lately, and I continue to feel better and better. My hives have been the best the best they have been for months, and I have even had sweat. I suspect if vitamin d is involved it could take several months or even a year or so to normalize all of the hormones, vitamins, etc. in our bodies for good, and then we will have to maintain hose levels for perfect health.
But needless to say, I am very optimistic about everything.
Good luck, and please keep us updated on how everything progresses.
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Title: Re: Everyone else has tried sun therapy, I’ll try it too.
Post by: coscass on June 30, 2009, 03:12:37 PM
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Well, I mentioned to my doc that I had went through a teenage “goth” stage. I think (almost) everyone went through that. I wore long sleeves and pants all summer, never got any sun. For quite a few years. So I was thinking that might have had something to do with it.
The Singulair usually works fine for people, but some people have side effects which have included nightmares, vivid dreams, mood swings, and insomnia. I have experienced all of these, both times I’ve taken it. So I’ll try the cetrizine in the morning, and if that doesn’t work, I’ll look into getting cetrizine D.
I’m glad my hives look similar, and that I don’t have something freakishly-out there happening here lol. I got excited when talking to the doc and mentioning this. She wrote on my slip of paper “? cold urticaria”, but I forgot to ask her if I might have some other kind, too.
When/if I can afford it, I’d like an allergy test, and to see if I really am lacking in vitamin D. So far the sun + meds seems to be working great. Hope everyone else is having a hive free week.
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Title: Re: Everyone else has tried sun therapy, I’ll try it too.
Post by: coscass on July 01, 2009, 10:03:29 AM
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Well, I guess I jynxed myself. I just got out of the shower and I’m having a pretty bad reaction. One of the worst I’ve had. I didn’t take my cetrizine or singulair last night, so I’m completely unprotected.
The results are in: hives suck.
right around my ears usually breaks out, but never this bad. I have no idea what’s going on with it. Usually if I don’t scratch them or scrub the towel over my face too hard they’re fine.
I hate these hives the worst. I see how red they are and that starts freaking me out, so I start freaking myself out, then work myself into a panic attack and THINK that I can’t breathe. Sucky.
I couldn’t very well take off my shirt, but I had three in a row.
I really had to shower, but I was like “ehhh let’s see what happens if I don’t take my pill” I KNEW I should have, but I didn’t. And now I’m paying the price. :-[
I think I’m going to start a blog on xanga to document all of this instead of posting it here. hmm.
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Title: Re: Everyone else has tried sun therapy, I’ll try it too.
Post by: HivesGuy on July 02, 2009, 02:34:16 PM
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Sorry to hear about the hives attack. I know how frustrating (and painful/uncomfortable) it must have been. Just hang in there. I honestly don’t think we are going to suffer forever. We may have to endure a few more attacks, but eventually, I think they will go away in time.
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Title: Re: Everyone else has tried sun therapy, I’ll try it too.
Post by: coscass on July 11, 2009, 04:06:50 PM
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I’ve been out in the sun a lot lately. Aside from the last attack I had (which was really bad) I haven’t had any. However, I took a shower about an hour ago after I had taken my cetrizine some time before, and I STILL got the rash on the inside of my right leg. It isn’t raised, it doesn’t itch or burn or anything, it’s just THERE.
I DID use really hot water (since I was in for a while and didn’t feel any hives I figured I might as well), so that might have been the cause. Thought it was strange though, because normally when I take my cetrizine I don’t get hives OR the rash.
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Title: Re: Everyone else has tried sun therapy, I’ll try it too.
Post by: HivesGuy on July 13, 2009, 01:25:22 PM
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Hey Coscass,
That is strange about the hives attack. What is most strange is the fact that it didn’t itch or burn, but rather was just “there.”
Definitely let us know if anything improves (or worsens). I hope your hives continue to get better, and fade into nothingness.
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Title: Re: Everyone else has tried sun therapy, I’ll try it too.
Post by: coscass on August 01, 2009, 12:37:09 PM
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I’m not sure what’s going on- but I’ve only had hives once in a couple of weeks. I’ve been outside a bit more- and I’ve discovered I’m starting to sweat! Not a lot, yet, but the back of my shirt gets damp sometimes now. Occasionally up around my neck/throat it’ll get itchy, but if I don’t scratch it I’m good.
I haven’t really been doing much of anything different besides getting out in the sun a bit- and not even really that often, to be honest. I haven’t taken my zyrtek in a few days, either. I just started exercising a lot the past few days, too.
So I’m not sure if this is remission or just a lucky couple of weeks- but the sweating thing really stood out to me. I get so excited, and people look at me like I’m crazy when I lean over, with this big grin and say, “omg, I’m sweating!
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Title: Re: Everyone else has tried sun therapy, I’ll try it too.
Post by: HivesGuy on August 02, 2009, 12:42:36 PM
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Quote from: coscass on August 01, 2009, 12:37:09 PM
I’m not sure what’s going on- but I’ve only had hives once in a couple of weeks. I’ve been outside a bit more- and I’ve discovered I’m starting to sweat! Not a lot, yet, but the back of my shirt gets damp sometimes now. Occasionally up around my neck/throat it’ll get itchy, but if I don’t scratch it I’m good.
I haven’t really been doing much of anything different besides getting out in the sun a bit- and not even really that often, to be honest. I haven’t taken my zyrtek in a few days, either. I just started exercising a lot the past few days, too.
So I’m not sure if this is remission or just a lucky couple of weeks- but the sweating thing really stood out to me. I get so excited, and people look at me like I’m crazy when I lean over, with this big grin and say, “omg, I’m sweating!
That’s great to hear! I can totally relate about the joy of sweating. I find myself getting so excited over some sweat on my forehead! I hope that everything continues to work out well.
By the way, I remember in one post you said you used to have hard water, and then got a water softener. How long did you have it before you got the hives? Does it help at all (or make them worse)?
I was just curious because I have read such good things, and I myself have terribly hard water, and I was hoping maybe the water softener would help the hives. But then I seen your post, and I thought maybe it won’t help so much since you still get them sometimes.
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Title: Re: Lack of sunlight theory
Post by: nisperos on August 09, 2009, 10:16:18 PM
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Actually, the HivesGuy posting on wondering about Vitamin D is what brought me to the site. I’ve been reading some of everyone else’s posts just to get an idea as to what people are thinking about and experimenting with. I’m trying to figure this out for my 21 y/o daughter who now has chronic hives and is severely developmentally disabled with no formal or informal communication system, not even signing or using very simple communication boards or a picture book (does not “get” that a picture stands for a 3-D object). OK, the one small advantage is that she doesn’t seem to itch from the hives, even though they look gross. Her hives start out looking like mosquito or spider bites, and then they spread into the big rings. The reason (I suspect) which they don’t seem to itch too much (at least she doesn’t scratch) is that she has a weird sensory system, and doesn’t react normally to pain or to say it another way, she has a very high pain threshold (sometimes even hitting herself with a toy she is playing with). Her body’s ability to regulate temperature has always been strange, for example, when she was much younger, she could have a bluish tint to her feet even in the summer…
We went for about 3 years with hives off and on before they were diagnosed. We had been told that they were either some kind of fungal or viral skin condition. When I was finally told they were likely hives and a dermatologist apt was set up, we were given a steroid cream and then I went home and got on the Internet where I read generic benadryl and vitamin C. That really helped diminish the hives until we got into the derm who said “generic benadryl is your best friend”. Well, the C and benadryl had been working, but I thought we needed a trip to the neurologist as she had been on depakote, an anticonvulsant, for years. The neuro said he was OK with the hives if we were OK and if we could keep the breakouts under control. Well, now even with the antihistamine and C, they are coming back…
The D got my interest because of its immune system functions, but actually, it’s a cod liver oil discussion which some of us baby boomers were forced to take as kids but really seemed to keep everyone healthy. These days, people can take the stuff as soft gels without the yucky taste remembered from long ago. In addition to the D3, cod liver oil also contains A which has decongestant activity. Furthermore, vitamin A along with zinc have always been thought to be good for skin. So, my latest experiment is a cod liver oil softgel cap and a balanced Vitamin C and B complex (both C and B12 have antihistamine properties).
(Some people are allergic to fish oil, so this wouldn’t be a good idea for them.)
BTW, I also have some interest in iodine, but again, some are allergic to iodine. Still, it does have some interesting properties and people get less of it these days because of using less iodized salt.
Also, anyone start with hives about the time they started using deodorant? Anyone figure on allergies related to laundry soap, especially the new ones which try to either include or remove chlorine?
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Title: Re: Lack of sunlight theory
Post by: nisperos on August 10, 2009, 09:22:11 AM
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I’d like to add a strong warning to those who might want to try the oral D3 or the (A & D3) cod liver oil. Both vitamin A & D are fat soluble vitamins so you should never exceed the dosage recommended on the bottle. Fat soluble vitamins can build up in your system and cause problems. (Of course, if you have any other health problems it’s best to do any trials under medical supervision.)
OTOH, both vitamin C & B complex are water-soluble, so any excess just goes out in the urine.
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Title: Re: Lack of sunlight theory
Post by: HivesGuy on August 10, 2009, 03:29:49 PM
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Thank you for the tip nisperos
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Title: Re: SUNLIGHT THEORY in regards to Cholinergic Urticaria
Post by: Snuff on March 27, 2010, 07:50:58 AM
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About the 24/7 itch. i have this 1 spot on my neck right near the apple that itches for a very long time sometimes.. idk why.. its been like that for months.. never happened before my cholinergic urticaria
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Title: Sun
Post by: hieveryone on April 04, 2010, 03:37:09 AM
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Hi all, I only write to tell you my last experience with these hives….
I went on holidays for the Easter to the beach, here in Spain. I had read that ‘taking sun’ (I don’t know how to write it, this is a spanish phrase) would make my skin have less hives although at first they were massive. So I started to lay on the sand and make my hives get out and on the third day my skin was browner. The problem is that on the forth day of vacations (the last), I was walking down the sun at 14.00 hours and I started to feel a very very hard itching, it was like hell, like if I hadn’t take any antistamine and had run in the dessert but the surprise was thad I DIDN’T HAVE ANY HIVES.
This itching lasted for more time as the hives, like two hours, and they were two hours of hell, but I got very impressed of not having any hives. I’m a little afraid if more sun will be good or extremely itching like the other day, I wanted to know I this had happened any time to any of you. I also saw little (very very little) signs of sweat so this gives me a little hope that this is a good treatment BUT the pain was too hard. Well, it was only that, good luck with your Cholinergic Urticaria this spring!
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Title: Re: Sun
Post by: HivesGuy on April 04, 2010, 04:39:59 AM
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Hey,
Thanks for sharing that. I have also been in the sun (I have been landscaping my yard, burning brush, etc.). At first, I was very itchy and had frequent attacks. After a day or two, I would only get slightly itchy as I became warm. Then, I did start to sweat a bit. As time goes on, I expect that the hives will slowly vanish for the summer, and I will be able to sweat fully as I once did. The hives may come back in the winter though, and that is yet to be seen.
I have high hopes for the summer, as many people with Cholinergic Urticaria tend to experience lessened symptoms. I just can’t wait for that!
About your experience–that is odd that you didn’t get hives and had more intense itching. Many times I feel the itchy/prickly sensation and I don’t actually get hives on my skin. If it continues to hurt, then you may want to avoid getting sun exposure. Or, you could carry a squirt bottle or ice pack to help cool the attack down. Just some things to think about.
Just be careful, and have an awesome spring! 😉
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Title: Sun
Post by: Rogerq23 on April 11, 2010, 03:43:38 PM
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Hey…!
Spring is right here now..! and the sun is getting harder i thought it will be worse on summer but i just read the previous post and he or she said that it is less on summer? wao… i didnt know that i thought the summer was warmer and it will be like hell.. for us.. well.. when i walk to school in a sunny day and sweat it is terrible i get those hives and itchiness. i dont know if the sun helps you or not but i try to avoid the sun cuz it makes me warm… and i guess it will make the hives to come out, so i try to take all the way that has shadows lol… its pretty difficult too… well just post in here if the sun helps… or if it doesnt and make the urticaria worst… i was thinking in swimming in a beach maybe the salty water will help you skin, cuz i have heard that it helps when you have a wound or a mosquito bite, so your skin will heal faster, but not sure about urticaria.
HOPE YOU have a pretty and pleasant spring summer and all the years that are coming up =)
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Title: Re: Sun
Post by: hieveryone on April 12, 2010, 09:03:37 AM
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Well I’ve been taking sun for this week and couldn’t sweat nothing of nothing. I didn’t have much hives but it seems that all the browner my skin gets one day, goes back to white on the next morning and I feel very cold when I have a little stress, I think my Cholinergic Urticaria is very advanced now becouse, though the exercise helps it isn’t becouse I sweat more, it is becouse I would sweat less after, I think I’m going to try the anti-anxiety method (silverstones) if the alergist agrees or I would go to the normal doctor to ask her prescription, I dont have more ideas now.
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Title: The sun…
Post by: bethiemt on April 23, 2010, 10:23:34 AM
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Hi 🙂
I noticed a lot of people say it is worse for them when they exercise or when they are in the shower. It is quite bad for me in a warm shower but when it is warm outside I start feeling the pain/prickles within 2 or 3 minutes and the hives start developing within about 5 five minutes…and the hives get a bit bigger than they do in the shower… 😮
I’m wondering if I could also have the sun allergy or is this possible? I assume it is possible we all just have different triggers?
This is so frustrating! I hate not being able to go outside! WHen it is hot outside, it is difficult to even go from my car to inside whenever I’m going!!! >:(
Any thoughts to the sun thing? ::)
~Beth
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Title: Re: The sun…
Post by: HivesGuy on April 23, 2010, 10:44:48 AM
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Hey Bethie,
First, you ask: Is it possible to have a sun allergy or other allergy along with Cholinergic Urticaria? Yes, it is possible. In fact, many on this forum alone not only have Cholinergic Urticaria, but may have eczema, food allergies, cold urticaria, solar urticaria, dermatographism, etc. along with it. It is not unusual at all to have 2 or more physical urticarias at one time.
With that being said, that doesn’t necessarily mean you have both solar and cholinergic urticaria. It may be that the sun is more intense form of heat for you, and the temperature change is more dramatic, making your symptoms worse. My hives are always a small pinpoint size, but they are more visible when the attacks are stronger. So perhaps you are just experiencing a stronger attack?? Then again, solar urticaria is possible too.
I rarely get a Cholinergic Urticaria attack in the shower. I did when I first got it, but now it is rare. The sun, however, will make me get itchy if it is very hot and dry (like yesterday morning when I was weedeating the lawn). Other things trigger it too (like spicy food, or sharp temperature changes from cold to hot).
I know what you mean about it being difficult to go to the car. I have noticed it is usually like this for me: In the summer, I get hives going to and from the car, but then find relief indoors (due to air conditioning). In the winter, I get relief outside (due to the cold weather), but I have terrible hives inside buildings (from the excessive heat).
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Title: go into shock? have a heart attack?
Post by: bethiemt on May 04, 2010, 09:23:43 PM
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I’ve stayed in the bath for a fair amount of time, but I keep hearing (reading) of people going out in the sun for a long time… The sun is the worst for me and I generally start feeling prickles within 2 or 3 minutes when it is 80 degress or more. I feel like my blood pressure must go up pretty high when I’m out there for ten minutes or more…
Is it possible? Has anyone heard of anyone going into shock or anything from staying out in the sun too long (or in whatever their trigger is)…and go into shock or anything?? AND DIE?? or just end up really bad?
Although honestly I’m not sure how long I could stay out there! 😮
Thoughts? ???
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Title: Re: go into shock? have a heart attack?
Post by: HivesGuy on May 05, 2010, 04:19:43 AM
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Anyone with allergic conditions can experience somethin called anaphylactic shock. That is when the body releases so much histamine and chemicals, that the body and organs begin to swell. Many times, a person’s throat can swell shut, and they cannot breath. anaphylactic shock is serious, and many have died from it.
With that being said, not all people with Cholinergic Urticaria will experience that. I have never experience it, no matter how severe my reaction was. Some on this forum have experienced it. Everyone is different, so it is hard to predict whether you would have this reaction yourself.
They do make these devices with adrenaline in them, called ‘epi-pens,’ and doctors give these to people who have a history or high risk of going into shock. adrenaline causes the reaction to stop.
So just be careful, and know that there are risks. But you may never go into this. It just depends on your body.
I have noticed that high humidity makes me sweat really fast, and low humidity makes me more itchy. In any event, good luck with the sun, and be safe.
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Title: Re: go into shock? have a heart attack?
Post by: bethiemt on May 06, 2010, 08:49:28 PM
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Yea… it’s scarey! Hmmmn… hard to know what to do!
Guess I better just stay in tune to my body!
Thanks for your reply!
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Title: Sun Exposure? Good or bad?
Post by: Donotlikeheathives on February 16, 2011, 02:00:59 PM
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Hey everyone, I recently started breaking out all over my body 3 months ago. I found this forum a couple days back and I’m glad I am not alone!
I went to my doctor yesterday and he knows all about Urticaria. He prescribed me some anti-histimine It starts with a C, not sure exactly the name is at the moment. Hopefully this medicine works, but reading all of these stories about people taking this medicine and it not working really discourages me.
I was reading through a couple of posts and I found Hivesguy wrote this out.
But at the same time, I suspect that sunlight can help regulate hormones, produce vitamins, etc. and that if there is a deficiency in those things, the sunlight might actually help in the long run.
That really got me interested. As you can see it has only been a day (and a half) of my medicine taking. But I fear it wont work, or have any affect. So I’m asking everyone if they have ever tried constant sunlight, each day?
I am asking because I want to get rid of this right away, It really is controlling my life.. I live in Florida and It’s hot and humid every day. I feel like I’m secluded from the rest of the world. I can’t even go outside for more than 2 seconds without breaking out. I get that tingling sensation first, then it feels all prickly as if I’m getting stabbed repeatedly on my chest and back. I’ve tried anti-itch cream to no avail.
Thank you guys for reading this and hopefully we can find a cure.
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Title: Re: Sun Exposure? Good or bad?
Post by: HivesGuy on February 16, 2011, 03:06:19 PM
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Hey Donotlikeheathives,
I don’t like them either ;).
Thanks for your post and welcome to the forum!
I am sorry you too have this, but you will be alright if you hang in there. As far as the sun experiments–The sun itself usually makes me break out right away. When I was able to sweat, I would eventually break through and start to sweat after the reaction. So the sun was useful in that regard of helping me to hurry and sweat. Right now, I am not sweating at all. The reactions are so severe that I am worried about trying to push myself too hard. But I may give it a shot this summer.
As far as the sun curing us long-term, it was definitely a hypothesis of mine for a while. Sun exposure in SAFE and MODERATE doses can be a good thing regardless. However, at this point I no longer think it can help cure us once Cholinergic Urticaria has set up in our body. Vitamin D/sun exposure could have a connection with Cholinergic Urticaria, but so could 1,000 other things, and unfortunately we have no clue without scientific testing.
Last summer I was out quite a bit doing yard work at the beginning. But I took like a 2 week break, and my hives got so severe that I haven’t been able to sweat since.
About getting rid of this–We all wish that. But Cholinergic Urticaria has a mind of its own. All you can do right now is try to find an antihistamine combination that helps you (talk to a doc and read some of the forum posts), and you may try sweating (talk to your doctor about the risks of going into shock) once it gets a little warmer, to see if regular sweat may help lesson the attacks/symptoms.
A lot of people on the forum are advocates of regular exercise. While painful at first, some people are lucky enough to break through the pain and eventually sweat and get relief for a day or two (or longer if they do this daily). However, some people can’t do this because they have severe cases or also have anaphylaxis. So check with a doc first.
Thanks again for your post, and welcome!
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Title: Re: Sun Exposure? Good or bad?
Post by: Donotlikeheathives on February 16, 2011, 03:12:28 PM
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Thanks for the reply!
I am planning to start exercising on a daily basis. I keep reading posts on this forum such as the fight pain with pain.
This attacks have been getting worse and worse, so I feel if I do not try to stop it soon, it will just keep growing.
I plan on running every day to at least sweat, I’ve read sweating really helps. As of now I won’t drop a shred of sweat in hours upon hours, so I will be buying some Sweat Cream *crosses fingers* hopefully that works.
Thank you for this forum, without it I’d be completely lost and crazed.
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Title: Re: Sun Exposure? Good or bad?
Post by: HivesGuy on February 16, 2011, 03:17:45 PM
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Your welcome ;D,
Just be careful and follow all of the usual precautions when trying to exercise/sweat. It can be helpful for most people with Cholinergic Urticaria, but like I also said, there are some who should avoid it. And you may want to talk to your doc about an epi pen just in case. Better safe than sorry.
But let us know how things go. I was just replying to a post by Gunther, and a med combo has worked enough to allow exercise again (and the attacks are only mild). So you may want to read that, and/or even try it before attempting exercise.
Good luck to you!
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Title: Re: Sun Exposure? Good or bad?
Post by: nowash on February 18, 2011, 05:45:42 AM
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Most of the remissions I’ve read that wasn’t from this board or from taking some type of medication were posts that would say stuff like, “I kept exercising, out in the hot sun…” “I got a job in the sun and they went away…” etc.
Research shows evidence that sunlight (as well as vitamin D) are good for autoimmune diseases (except lupus) and allergies. From what I know vitamin D helps generate a bunch of regulatory T-cells, which suppress both your innate (cell attacking: ie bacterial infections) and adaptive (allergens, B-cell mediated) immune systems. Ultraviolet radiation itself, IIRC, changes trans-urocanic acid (your natural sunscreen in your skin) to cis-urocanic acid. Cis-urocanic acid can go on to act on receptors in your body that end up generating regulatory T-cells. These are the mechanisms behind ultraviolet treatment. If you’re interested, there is a diagram in this research report that shows the exact mechanisms and pathways:
I’m not so sure about fighting pain with pain, as in exercising inducing an attack, though. Everytime your mast cells degranulate they release a bunch of chemicals that can make our immune response (or our heat response, I’m not convinced we all have an antigen) worse. IIRC, they’re now finding histamine itself has receptors on dendritic cells and elsewhere which they think can increase an adaptive (allergic) immune response. This receptor is not blocked by specific H1-antagonists, our usual prescribed medication, since it is H4. Interestingly, mast cells also release Nerve Growth Factor, which is what keeps our heat sensing neurons (and others) alive, if I remember right. Perhaps exercise makes us more sensitive; I’m looking into that now.
However, like I said, most people who went into remission without drugs were exercising; it’s not like all mast cell secretions cause rampant allergies, so I dunno. There are ways to induce tolerance to an allergy; one of them involve repetitive antigen exposure, like allergy shots. There are two ways to do this that both have different mechanisms: low-dose antigen exposure and high-dose antigen exposure. Perhaps exercise can be sort of a high-dose allergy shot for us, since we might be allergic to our own sweat or serum. IIRC, they way high-dose works is that in a high-dose environemnt when dendritic cells present the allergen to T-cells they lack certain costimulatory molecules, which induce anergy (makes them ineffective) or clonal deletion (apoptosis, suicide) on the T-cell. Anergized T-cells can go on to suppress other effective T-cells of the same antigen.
P.S. – I plan on trying sunbathing for myself this summer. It seems to help.
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Title: Re: Sun Exposure? Good or bad?
Post by: nowash on February 18, 2011, 07:26:21 AM
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Also meant to say I read a research review that suggested UV light treatment for the physical urticarias, which includes us. UV light also causes mast cell apoptosis (suicide), that is, without degranulating.
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Title: Re: Sun Exposure? Good or bad?
Post by: Henrik on February 18, 2011, 02:15:36 PM
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I’ve tried UV therapy at a dermatologist three times a week in an attempt to cure my heat hives. Unfortunately, it didn’t help me, so I stopped after one and a half month or so.