Hello Guys,
I’m writing this post with great excitement and happiness. I used to have a very serious hives. They started when I relocated to Cyprus from Africa two years ago. Most of my friends here have the same symptoms too.
So, I assumed the cause is probably the change of water or the change of food. My symptoms are listed below:
- The itch starts anytime I’m exposed to sun.
- When I’m doing something strenuous.
- When I’m excited
- When I’m in a hot environment.
I would have these tiny spots on my arms when the the itch started getting too serious, but it goes away almost immediately when I apply a cold compress. The only solution I found then was applying a cold compress anytime I had the hives.
My life had been so miserable, and I started living a lazy life.
The itch started around fall 2013. I was worried and concerned about how I would survive in summer 2014. But a miracle happened in the summer: the hives went away, and I noticed I sweated so so much.
Note: I failed to notice that I wasn’t able to sweat before that summer, until a friend who has the same symptoms told me he doesn’t sweat. So I figured out immediately that I was unable to sweat too until last summer. To cut the long story short, the hives started again after summer, and this time I realized I was unable to sweat.
I was a bit excited because I now know where the problem is coming from. I knew if I was able to sweat, then the hives would go away. I started looking online on how to force my body to sweat. I couldn’t get enough information. The only information that has helped me was the article I read here about sauna.
Lots of people gave several testimonies about how it worked for them. I was kinda scared though, because I knew it would be a very difficult task to make my body to sweat with the use of sauna. Moreover, I don’t even have one.
Now, I’m gonna explain to you how it worked for me. I mentioned earlier that I didn’t have a sauna. The question is what is the point of using a sauna? Well, to heat your body and also force it to sweat. Since I couldn’t get one, my mind went straight to the electric heater I was using during winter. Its like 90 cm tall and 45 cm wide.
“If a sauna would heat my body and force me to sweat, then an ordinary heater should do the same thing,” I thought.
Three days ago I stopped taking yoghurt and milk, but I used to take them so so much (I took milk today though…smiles). That same day, I brought out the heater. Then I drank 2-3 glasses of hot water, took off my clothes (only had a boxers on). Then I placed the heater very close to me.
I wasn’t expecting to sweat immediately. I thought I would have to do it several days before I would finally sweat, because I thought when the hives start I won’t be able to hold on the heat. Well, I was wrong. I sat on the floor, then I placed the heater right in front of me. The itch wouldn’t come immediately.
So I tried some pushups…then here comes the itch. At this point, I was nervous.
Fortunately for me, the itch reduced after 2-3minutes. Then I noticed my armpits were a bit wet, and my face was getting cold and wet too. My feet were getting a bit sweaty too, then my stomach. The sweat wasn’t much at all, but I was so happy it was coming out a bit. I continued the push ups to see if the hives (or more itch) would come, and I also wanted to sweat more. The hives never came.
Do you want to know how I endured with the 2 minutes itch. It’s very easy. Like I said earlier, you have to be naked so u can be able to scratch properly and so that you can know when u sweating. You also have to be extremely fast when scratching. So it’s better to sit on the floor so your hand can reach every part of your body at a very fast pace within a very short time.
My job is a stressful one, and the next day, I didn’t do much at work. The weather was cold, so I was unable to sweat. I also didn’t try the heating method when I got home, for I was being lazy. Well, it was sunny yesterday and I had to work in the sun. My body started getting itchy.
I was worried because my boss was right in front of me. So I was enduring and also using style to scratch. The itch wasn’t much at all unlike before. Moreover, the hives never came, and I started sweating afterward. The itch stopped almost immediately, same as today. I was getting a bit itchy while working, but when the sweat came out, the itch stopped.
Summer is almost here, and I’m also thinking of registering in a gym so that I can sweat everyday. I’m so sure the little itch that I still have when I want to sweat is completely gonna go in the next few days.
I don’t come here often, and I don’t think I will ever visit this site again, because I believe I got what I wanted from it. I’m not 100 percent sure this will work for you–I’m just sharing my testimony.
But if u ever have any question for me. You can send me a message on Facebook. My username is KAKOWAPPY.
Thanks to Everyone,
Mogul
Hivesguy says
Thanks for taking the time to write out that experience! I’m really glad your hives seem to be improving, and that this method is working for you. Sweat therapy isn’t for everyone, but it does seem to help many people with cholinergic urticaria. Thanks again for sharing that information with all of the hives community!
Sahil says
sir ! as in the above comment , he says that after getting sweat he caught in hives for just 2 min. this time is very less as compared to me.. my urticaria may be as long as 40 min. and less to less as 13-15 min. so is it good for me to do this sweat therapy?
Hivesguy says
In my opinion, sweat therapy is not safe for individuals who have a history of anaphylaxis or other very severe reactions. Nevertheless, it’s something you should discuss with a doctor if you plan to try it. Although relatively rare, individuals with cholinergic urticaria could have a life-threatening reaction. An Epi-Pen can help avert anaphylactic reactions, but they don’t always work 100%. You may also want to try an allergy elimination diet to see if that helps reduce or eliminate your severe attacks.
Sahil says
sir !what type of diet i would have to start?. please tell what ihave to avoid eating or drinking?.
Hivesguy says
Sahil,
You can learn more here: Cholinergic urticaria diet. It may not work for everyone, and you always need to talk to a doctor before trying any new diets or treatments.
calvin says
Great post got to force yourself to sweat I thought it was not safe I have a gym membership got on the elliptical machine after five minutes of that stinging itch its gone then I got in the sauna didn’t really sweat the first day scary but a week later I need a towel to dry of I sell cars in Atlanta and since sweat therapy I’m in high eighty’s sweating selling like once before its a must try it saved my job and personal life