Hi everyone,
I am a 25-year-old female and I guess I have had this for years. It first showed up when I was much younger (10-15 years ago) when I would swim. My dermatologist told me that I was basically allergic to exercise. Benadryl and a cold shower helped every time back then.
Now I am 25 and I just finished my first semester of grad school. I started noticing that about 2 months into the semester that I was getting terrible migraines (which I also have a history of) and whenever I was at the gym I was breaking out in hives. I tried Benadryl… nothing. So my new pcp suggested the antacid/antihistamine combo… still nothing. Now I am getting hives multiple times a day…when I walk my dog, when things get a little tense at work, and when I have to give a presentation–just to name a few. I have noticed that the cool winter weather helps, but I even get them skiing. I am able to push through my hives in the cold but it is still a major bummer… I also have access to a sauna and gave sweating it out a try this weekend… it felt great but I was splotchy all day.
I have been doing a lot of reading, and thinking, and reading… and my doctor has no other ideas… they just want to do some more blood tests. I know my condition is partially stress related, and I take steps daily to reduce my stress. But I wonder if there is more that I can do… perhaps change my diet? Perhaps try this sweat therapy more regularly?
I am a firm believer in trying to use a holistic approach to my health but I have no idea where to start, or what questions to ask my doctor? I have been keeping a food diary, and think maybe I am seeing some patterns but should I see a nutritionist to help plot out a low histamine, or a low sodium diet? Why? I just don’t know where to go from here…
-Shlee
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Lucas says
Hey I’m a 25 year old male and I’ve been suffering for about 4 years.
Antihistamines are about the only thing that makes it bearable, even taking 2 a day doesn’t stop it from coming out.
Wish I had some tips for you but haven’t managed to find anything that has worked, even doctors haven’t been much help. Next thing I will try is a change of diet, I do have a pretty poor diet (a lot of junk food). I have been told sweating it out works but have to do it on a daily basis and work out really hard which I can’t seem to keep up with. It does really suck and I’m hoping one day i will wake up and it will be gone lol. Hope you find something that helps!
Lucas.