4 Things You Need to Know about Cholinergic Urticaria
Urticaria, commonly called "hives," can be caused by many factors. Allergens are an obvious cause, but some of the causes of hives are more surprising. When an increased body temperature is the cause of the hives, dermatologists call the resulting condition cholingeric urticaria. Here are four things you need to know about this condition.
What are the signs of cholinergic urticaria?
People with cholinergic urticaria develop hives on their skin when their core body temperature rises. You may notice that you develop hives on a hot day, as well as when you take a hot shower, exercise, feel stressed or anxious, or even when you eat spicy foods. These hives are red, itchy, and numerous, and can be anywhere between 1 mm and 5 mm (0.04 in and 0.2 in) in diameter. The hives may last for only a few minutes or as long as an hour.
What causes it?
Cholinergic urticaria is caused by an increase in your body's temperature, but researchers still aren't sure why this happens. One theory blames mast cells, a type of immune cell that is involved in allergic reactions. According to this theory, when your brain sends signals to your sweat glands to produce sweat, the mast cells are activated and release histamines. Histamines are the chemical responsible for allergic reactions like hives. More research needs to be done to find out why this happens to some people and not others.
Can it be treated?
This condition can be treated with antihistamines (allergy medications), but this only provides short-term relief from the symptoms; it doesn't cure the condition
Your dermatologist may also recommend using a steroid cream. Steroids work by reducing inflammation, and rubbing these creams on your hives may help reduce the discomfort. Systemic steroids (injections or pills) can also be used if the cream isn't enough.
Is it common?
Cholinergic urticaria is thought to be a fairly common condition, though the exact prevalence is still a matter of debate. One study found that 0.2% of patients in a dermatology clinic had the condition, while other studies have reported prevalence rates as high as 4%.
The condition is much more common among men than among women. One study reported that 96% of sufferers were men. This condition tends to develop in young people between the ages of 10 and 30.
If you break out in hives when you work out or have a hot shower, you may have cholinergic urticaria and should see a dermatologist, like one from Desert Dermatology, as soon as possible for treatment options.
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