I am a senior in high school, and at the start of the school year (in September), I realized I was getting itchy when I would sweat or get hot. From September- November it seemed like it only came on when I was doing physical activity.
At the time I was also going to the gym regularly and being very physically active. Since then I have stopped going to the gym because the itching was too intense. Now, the itching comes on not only when I’m doing physical activity, but also when I get nervous or anxious or embarrassed.
I went to the doctor and he suggested I take antihistamines which have been slightly helpful but I am still restricted on what I can and can’t do. I live in Alberta where the winters are very cold and the summers are hot. This all started when it started to get cold. I have never experienced anything like this during previous winters.
Recently, I started running everyday or every second day and working up a sweat to try to sweat this out. I read that it has helped some people and it definitely helps to weaken the attacks. Once I start to sweat the itching goes away. The parts effected are my back, torso, neck, and sometimes on my arms on the inside part of my biceps. I don’t get the little bumps but I do get a rash that goes away after about 5-10 minutes.
Does anyone have any helpful tips to try to get rid of this?
Thanks,
-Alex
John says
Alex,
I am sure it is disturbing. We all recall that alarming moment of the first serious attack and wondering what has happened. Interestingly, your pursuit of fitness may have given you a very halthy immune system and disease fighting capability. However, at the same time it is becoming activated by something it recognizes as foreign. So, all the usual suggestions in the book and youtube give you something to work on and a likely cure if you are diligent. out of curiosity can you tell me if you have had any dental work, injections of any kind or taken any new drugs around the time the hives appeared? Any new supplements or vitamins or dietary changes? Also, do you have dandruff or any fungal infections visible on the skin? Red patches etc? Best of luck in your pursuit of health. Just remember that the hives are not a permanent phenomenon so your suffering is limited to a short time. Don’t try to fight it when it happens. The disturbance in your mind and the fear is much more harmful than the reaction which is very benign. I have had CU for 35 years. Let it be a reminder to pursue only healthy habits and diet. You are fine. Not sure I would use the antihistamines if you can avoid it. There are side effects to drugs that over time can be worse than hives. You may also explore the practice of meditating 15-30 minutes a day, a time in which you can find peace and a new approach to your thinking and calm approach to life. The practice can definitely help in coping with hives and other irritating things in life. 🙂 Best of luck.
Alex says
When the hives first started I was starting to eat healthier and also tried a new body wash that I stopped using in the first week because I thought it was the cause of the itching. I started minocycline a few months ago for my acne but that was long after the itching started. It just started out of the blue. Thank you for the advice
Nick says
If antihistamines help go see an allergist. Mine has me on 5 times the suggested over the counter dose of Zyrtec and that may be helping (I say “may” because I was recently sick with a fever and sweating the fever out seemed to help as well)
Alex says
I am only taking Benadryl three times a day. Nothing major but they do help a little bit to stop an attack
Anonymous says
I had hives every day for one year. SpecialIs there doctors could not help me until a friend who worked in a health shop gave me some allergen zone pills, they support the amune system…Two days later the hives went, I take the pills every day and have hive free for three months.
Alex says
What are they called? Do you have a brand name?
Brandon says
Ive had this since I was 14 now im 19 and I cant excercize and do any avtivity where I move too much. Any thing that will help?