Hey there, first of all I want to thank Ben for creating all the different sources and videos etc. with so much useful information regarding cholinergic urticaria AND other skin conditions. I’ve found it very enlightening.
I’m 30 years old and found it so strange that this is the first year of my life where I have ever experienced these type of heat hives. Its only been about a month for me that I’ve been getting them, but they are so discomforting that I found myself researching the internet and trying to get to the bottom of just what it is that triggers this reaction from heat.
I first noticed them when I found my skin turning red and itchy whenever I had my portable heater sitting next to me. Now mind you I’ve done this for years during the winter time, because I am a petite person and I’ve always hated being cold so I’ve constantly had heat on me during the winter time especially. But anyway, I noticed whenever I would have the heater too close to my skin that where ever it was pointing/facing would cause my skin to react. It’d get all red and itchy and I’d sometimes even get noticeable lumps. Which this is the part that confused me, because thus far I’ve only seen you (Ben) describe cholinergic urticaria as red (flushed) skin with SMALL bumps. Mine, however, have been larger bumps for the most part.
At first I thought maybe it was just the heater that was causing my reaction so I didn’t think too much of it.. I just avoided having it too close to me.
However, and unfortunately… One day while I was working and on lunch, I went to subway like I so often do. That day I sat with one side of my body facing a big open window, and that day it was also very sunny. I typically enjoy the sunlight, so I sat there and ate happily. That is until I started walking back to work and realized that the entire mid and lower half of my body was becoming itchy. I went to the restroom when I got back to work and looked in the mirror.. lo and behold my entire (side) of my midriff and all down the side of my leg was really red, no lumps this time (perhaps because I was clothed?).
But needless to say I was pretty bummed when I noticed this as I realized — oh I guess it wasn’t just my heater. Also mind you, I wasn’t sweating or anything during the time I sat there. The side of my body was simply exposed to direct sunlight and I had sat there for a good 30-40 minutes or so.
Needless to say after reading through this website and watching some of the videos — all of the signs point to cholinergic urticaria, EXCEPT that I sometimes get large bumps over my red skin (the bumps are red as well), some smaller but most are large. I’ve also recently just noticed that hot water from the shower makes my skin all red as well. 🙁
I’m really just wondering if this cholinergic urticaria is actually what I have. Any help is appreciated, thanks so much for reading!
-Mandi
Hivesguy says
Thanks for your kind words, Mandi. Some people with cholinergic urticaria have reported having larger hives develop after (or during) a reaction. It seems that the majority of people report smaller (think goose bump-sized) hives. Some people don’t get hives at all, and instead only get itchy skin or flushing with this disorder. People’s signs and symptoms can vary. A dermatologist or allergist who is familiar with the physical hives types could offer a definite diagnosis. I’m sorry you’ve been dealing with this, but hopefully you can get it under control using the suggestions on this site.
Mandi Osorio says
This is good to know, thank you! I just wanted to make sure that me getting larger bumps, wouldn’t completely take me having CU off of the table.
Linda Starr says
My hives aren’t welts or bumps, but are long skinny lines on my left torso!
Jiro says
Mines are different, when I have the heater on, my back and my front(chest, stomach area) are just red all over.
But when I’m just walking around, I get small bumps… I guess if it’s extreme sudden change in temperature for me, my body will be red all over, if it’s not that extreme, I get small bumps