Just a quick warning to people taking hot showers and my story.
I used to sweat a lot before last winter when I took a few showers that were a little too hot, and since then I’ve developed the heat allergy. The first year was easy since it only happened for about 2-3 minutes once in the morning and from there on I sweated easily, but now I share many if not all symptoms I’ve read here (can’t exercise, laugh, talk to people, get warm in any way).
Oddly enough when the hives break out I also start to shiver from cold, even if it’s hot, and get chicken skin all over my body which helps cool it down since I can’t sweat.
Recently I saw someone here talking about suicidal thoughts and I can totally understand that since I’ve been through it myself, getting angry at the allergy brings it out even more and that makes me even more mad (imagine being in the gym for 2 hours while itching yourself every 20 seconds for 4 months).
In the summer I don’t have the heat rashes but instead feel very nervous and angry for as long until I cool myself down. Also my legs get filled with dark-red spots from feet to hips and also forearms which really feel like burning through-out the day.
Anyway, it felt good to write what I’ve been feeling for the last year and that people with heat allergy aren’t alone. Currently I’ve got some doctor appointments waiting and I hope to receive some of the medication that’s been written about in the forums.
Stay strong!
-Clyde
John says
March 2, 2016 at 4:16 pmClyde,
Did your doctor refer to the dark red spots as “purpura?” I assume these are not the usual pinkish puffy spots or little tiny pin head size burning dots we get more in winter without the swelling maybe. Purpura I think are larger and last a while. You can find pics online. These are associated with hepatitis sometimes and could be a source of hives. I was exposed to hep B and C in early years and have often theorized that my hives are just clean up of viral particles that are usually hidden from the immune system’s sensors. I would ask for a hep virus panel. Lucky for you nowadays these are much easier to cure. Perhaps you can prevent future liver problems too. I understand the emotional aspect too which I think is largely from the histamine. At least we get some break between episodes and can be grateful the hives are a temporary phenomenon come and go…maybe more often than we like of course. I have had them for 35 years at least, but glad the warmer weather is here not…what a break!
John
Hivesguy says
March 4, 2016 at 7:33 amThanks for taking the time to share your story, Clyde. I hope the doctor visits prove helpful. Hang in there!