Anyone suffer with Cholinergic Urticaria?

Raekwondo

It's basically hives whenever your body temp raises even slightly. Been living with it the past 3 years taking liquid Zirtek daily. It's effect is waring off me now though. Was wondering if anyone who has it takes a good antihistamine to keep it away? Or if you cured it it would be even better to hear from you

Raekwondo

Anyone? Helpless at this point with it.

fits

I have something like this. Started two years ago and I come out in hives if I scratch my skin or if temperature changes. It seems to be stress related as it started after a bereavement. Its not that bad though and certainly not something I am worried about. Does it sound similar?

The One Who Knocks

F*ck I've had this for a few years now and could never figure out what it was called.

Thankfully it's never been too bad, but I do get the rash when I'm stressed, after exercising and especially after showers, no matter how cold.

I'm afraid I won't be able to offer any advice as I've never had it treated myself. May I ask do you know if it's possible for it to lead to anaphylaxis in extreme cases? I'm a bit of a hypochondriac and turning blotchy red after a shower can be worrying at times.

If you do see a dermatologist let me know if he recommends anything to you, thanks.

Raekwondo

The One Who Knocks wrote: »

F*ck I've had this for a few years now and could never figure out what it was called.

Thankfully it's never been too bad, but I do get the rash when I'm stressed, after exercising and especially after showers, no matter how cold.

I'm afraid I won't be able to offer any advice as I've never had it treated myself. May I ask do you know if it's possible for it to lead to anaphylaxis in extreme cases? I'm a bit of a hypochondriac and turning blotchy red after a shower can be worrying at times.

If you do see a dermatologist let me know if he recommends anything to you, thanks.

Good to see I'm not alone! I've only ever pushed myself once and felt quite faint from lifting heavy bags of coal for 2 hours. Try liquid Zirtek. It's 10.80 a bottle but offers good relief. My barrier for it is running out though so I need a different one

Agent Coulson

I had it about 20 years ago it came out of nowhere ( a lot of stress at the time that I never new I had till I looked back years later) and took ages for doctors I went to 5/6 different ones to work out what it was I would swell up and break out in hives It lasted about a year and half before it stopped and has never come back. ( The doctor who worked out what it was suffered from it himself.)

The doctor who worked out what it was said to me that is what would happen. It would just go one day

A lot of antihistamines didn't work it it took at least 5/6 tries before I found one that worked for me.


I used to work as an outdoor instructor so I would have alot of sudden temperature changes getting in and out of cold waters wearing wetsuits when I would ahve an attack of Urticaria it would freak people out seeing me turn red and swelling up in a wetsuit.

groovyg

I had it about 10 years ago, broke out in hives all over my arms and legs, I had it for about 6-8 months, took visits to 3 different doctors before it was diagnosed. My immune system was really low at the time also, I remember getting a tiny cut on my hand and it took ages to heal.
I think it was mostly caused by stress as I was in college at the time and working part time and just had a lot going on. The condition itself made me even more stressed and as I got quiet paranoid and self conscious about my body.

The doc gave me a prescription for some steroid cream but it didn't really work and I didn't want to use it long term so I had acupuncture done for about 2 months. The lady who I went to for this was also a physio and she advised me to go wheat free for a few months, so went on a wheat free diet and also gave up all junk food, and alcohol for about 6 months and it completely cleared.
It came back two or three times after that when I was in college but only very briefly, I think mine was all caused by stress and worry. I'm a lot more active now than I was then so I guess that keeps all the stress and worry under control and thankfully it hasn't returned.

Kerryite

Unfortunately I've some experience with this - mine is definitely stress-related and is particularly activated by running (or even fast walking on occasion). I go to the gym a few times a week, hike regularly and have done a fair bit of cycling but those don't seem to trigger it.

I break out in a rash, starting on my torso and upper arms. However it can spread quickly and on occasion I've had it everywhere from the soles of my feet to my forehead - with lips and eyes swelling as well plus some small throat swelling. The first few times it happened I ended up in hospital and was given adrenalin (which is horribly hard on the body). I now carry an epipen.

Antihistamines don't do anything for me usually - I have dermographism as well which means that my body overproduces histamine anyway. I find that paying attention to my body and mind, slowing down in life and taking care of myself works best. Emotional stress is a trigger for me so I try to identify and spend time with my feelings.

Hope this helps - don't want to scare anybody. There is something called "exercise induced anaphylaxis" which is what has happened to me.

fits

crikey! I never realised it could be so serious! The first time I got it, I took an over the counter antihistamine and it was like I was drugged so I avoid taking those now for it. Its quite mild when it happens me (mostly on torso and arms) but when it came first I was itchy for months! I sometimes get it when having sauna as well. But its very definitely stress related.

Penny Tration

My kid sister has it. She has to take liquid zirtek every day, which mostly keeps it at bay. It flares up badly every few months, and she has to take a course of steroids when that happens.

shruikan2553

Ive had it for 6 or 7 years. Got sent to a dermatologist about it. She told me to avoid fizzy drinks as something about them can cause it to flare up. If I have been drinking a lot of fizzy drinks the previous day I do find I get it easier than usual.

Can zirtek be bought OTC and how long does 1 bottle last?

Raekwondo

It can be bought OTC and costs €10.80 a bottle.

I'm glad there are others who share this same problem. I'm at the stage now where I am unemployed, on the dole and trying to find a job that doesn't involve a lot of heavy lifting or anything that will flare this up.

It affected my Leaving Cert, It affected the PLC I did last year. I just had no motivation to do anything. Zirtek made me like a zombie but gave me great relief. I recently had a big arguement with my family about it, telling me to get up off my arse and get a job as if I had nothing wrong with me. When others don't have it it's so easy to just sit back and say do this do that but no one understands me. I've booked an appointment with a doctor for monday more so to have it coming from a doctors mouth what it is and what I should and shouldn't be doing. I'm depressed, I have no quality of life and I fear I never will again. I'm gaining weight every week and beginning to become fed up with life in general. If I didn't have Gaming in my life I don't know what I'd do.