Cholinergic Urticaria

Prickling sensation comes with rash, but eventually goes and I start to sweat normally?

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For around 5 years I have had episodes of this prickly heat or whatever it is. Whenever I am meant to sweat, instead I get this awful prickling sensation (if it’s emotional, it’s only temporary and goes very fast) and it is mainly around my back and lower ribs. It gets so unpleasant I start to worry I will die when it occurs. It’s very painful. Also, I develop small rashes around my body where the itchiness occurs. But these aren’t lumpy rashes, just skin that goes red. No other symptoms occur that are worrying aside from increased heart rate from how anxious the prickling makes me feel.

But, if I stay with it without stopping what I am doing, eventually it goes and I start to sweat normally. It always comes back the next day, however.

I have been reading up about this, but I can’t find much information regarding this aspect. What does this imply? I may see a dermatologist soon about this, but I am looking for more information.

I suspect my life style might have a part to play in this. Prior to the last part of last year (2013), I was more out and about, but then my life kinda slowed down and I spent more time in my bedroom using the computer. My house is also fairly dusty and this is when my prickly heat got worse. It wasn’t too bad in 2013.

Lastly, I do take very hot showers quite often. Like, boiling hot. Would this make the problem worse?

-Sean

This post was submitted by a reader.

Comments

  1. Sounds like cholinergic urticaria to me, but it’s always good to see an allergist or dermatologist for a definite diagnosis. Very hot showers could dry your skin and make it worse, or the heat itself could make it worse, as this type of hives forms when the body becomes hot.

    • I forgot to mention this important thing.

      It doesn’t always happen under heat. Only when my body is supposed to sweat. I have had hot showers where it caused the prickling, but not always. Emotions can induce sweating for me easily, which prior to this getting worse.

      Basically if I am meant to sweat, I get the prickling. But the emotional sweat doesn’t last for very long, it goes very quickly in comparison to exercise. I don’t get any other symptoms aside from anxiety induced by the prickling.

      When I was younger, I was in stressful situations due to a rather poor school placement. I would sweat all the time from the stress. My hands were always sweating too. But they don’t do this as much anymore.

      It is very difficult to tell if this is allergy related, it could be since I do suspect I have allergies to dust mites and such (and I am on a low histamine diet right now, feeling better for it). But at the same time this appears to be a physical problem since I can sweat as long as I keep inducing the prickling, which implies it’s blocked sweat ducts.

      I sit down for much of the day and notice parts of the back of my body (the part facing the chair) itches in localized areas. Could that also be connected?

      • So I tried something out today. I made myself watch a screamer video (I can never get used to them) and allowed myself to be surprised by it.

        I didn’t get the prickling. And this is significant since the room was cool and not hot in the slightest, wearing loose cotton clothing too (wear a hoodie usually, which is where the prickling occurs the most often).

        I mentioned in my previous post I used to sweat all the time when under any stress, well perhaps my body is bad at keeping itself cool, which may explain why I get provoked into sweating events so often.

        Also, this morning, I got a prickling episode from…get this…a dream.

        If dreams can trigger it off, then it’s affecting my sleep quality. This may lead to more serious issues down the line. I already suffer from anxiety, depression (due to a gluten sensitivity, thankfully it’s under control now for the most part), spots on my arms (connected to Urticaria/Miliaria?). Having more issues with sleep will make those worse.

      • Cholinergic urticaria is a condition where people develop hives, itching/prickling, and/or flushing due to an increase in temperature strong enough to elicit a sweat response. It doesn’t matter if it is active heat (exercise) or passive heat (hot showers, hot weather, etc.).

        If you want a definite diagnosis, you’ll have to see an allergist or dermatologist.

        • This may be good news, and yes I am going to see a dermatologist about this.

          This morning while I was dreaming, the prickling occurred. But this time, I noticed I was actually sweating quite quickly (the prickling went quickly too).

          All I did was skip on a shower the night before (due to stupidly forgetting to put the warm water on) and wearing looser clothing.

          I think I will keep this up for another week to see if it helps. I will post here again in a few days.