cholinergic urticaria - #17411

For the past several months, I’ve been dealing with episodes of intense itching and welts on my skin, especially after exercise, hot showers, or even stress. I didn’t know what was going on at first, but after visiting my doctor, I was told that I might have cholinergic urticaria. I had never heard of it before, so I’ve been trying to learn more about this condition, its triggers, and how to manage it. From what I understand, cholinergic urticaria is a type of hives (urticaria) that occurs when the body gets overheated, such as during physical activity, stress, or hot weather. I’m surprised that something like sweating could cause an allergic reaction, but I’ve read that it’s related to the body’s immune response to an increase in temperature. In my case, the hives seem to appear immediately after exercise, and sometimes they last for an hour or more, which can be really uncomfortable. What exactly causes cholinergic urticaria? Is it related to an underlying allergy, or is it more of a hypersensitive immune response to temperature changes? I’ve also heard that cholinergic urticaria might be triggered by hot drinks or spicy foods. Are these triggers universal for everyone with the condition, or do they vary from person to person? I’ve tried antihistamines to control the itching, but I’m wondering if there are other treatments that might be more effective in managing cholinergic urticaria long-term. Can this condition be completely managed or controlled, or is it something I’ll have to deal with for the rest of my life? I’ve also read that certain lifestyle changes, like avoiding triggers or staying cool, might help reduce the frequency of outbreaks. Are there any other preventive measures that could help? Has anyone else been diagnosed with cholinergic urticaria? What treatments or strategies have you found effective in managing this condition?