Cholinergic urticaria: how to manage and get relief

It is often called exercise-induced urticaria, because one of the triggers is physical activity, classifying cholinergic urticaria in the group of physical urticaria. Running, walking, lifting, exercising; Almost any form of physical activity that can increase body temperature can trigger an outbreak.

Different activities can change your body to different degrees, and depending on the drive and vigor with which you do them, they can also influence your internal body heat.

Cholinergic urticaria is sometimes referred to as heat urticaria, because other factors can activate it. Spicy foods are one of the most common reasons people have breakouts. Emotional triggers also contribute to breakouts. Anxiety, anger, extreme laughter, and even blushing can cause cholinergic urticaria to lift your head.

The word cholinergic as described in any medical dictionary means “related to acetylcholine.” It is a parasympathomimetic, that is, an action caused by stimulation of the parasympathetic nervous system.

With cholinergic urticaria, a heat trigger of some kind causes the body to release acetylcholine at the nerve endings in the skin, causing a reaction similar to hives.

Acetylcholine is an important neurotransmitter in both the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system, and it has many functions, but one is to aid in muscle contraction.

Unfortunately, this issue is so complex that many doctors and scientists are not exactly sure what actually causes a person to have a hives reaction to their own body heat or even sweat.

Many things have been suggested, such as possible autoimmune disorders and even blood disorders.

Management of cholinergic urticaria when caused by stress

The real treatment at this time is the management of this rare form of skin hives. One thing that is observed is that stress seems to play a very important role in people with heat urticaria, especially among teenagers.

Stress management is a serious option to consider if you can determine that your skin reactions are due to being overwhelmed, anxiety, anger, or general emotional feelings from current events in your life.

It is more than possible for a person struggling with cholinergic urticaria to get relief by counteracting the stress trigger; using breathing techniques, relaxation strategies, and stress management techniques.

The reason this is important is because stress triggers a defensive mechanism in your body. When this happens, your “fight or flight” response kicks in and your core body temperature can rise.

An increase in the dermis (shell) or core temperature can trigger an outbreak if you suffer from cholinergic urticaria.

Evaluate Your Diet: Are Spicy Foods The Problem?

Eating spicy foods can also raise your temperature. These mainly include hot peppers, but also root vegetables that cause your body to increase the temperature to digest.

Also, food that is heated can cause an episode of hives. Liquids like hot chocolate, coffee, and hot soups can raise your temperature, especially if you consume them too quickly.

Many foods activate a process known as thermogenesis, which causes your body to produce heat during the process of digesting certain foods. Some will have a slightly more thermogenic effect on the body than others, and while eating foods with a high level of thermogenesis is great for weight loss, it can trigger itching, stinging, and a burning sensation on the skin in people who have cholinergic urticaria.

Internal body temperature control

Thermogenesis, thermoregulation, and emotional state can also influence the temperature within your body. It is very important to understand all of these triggers so that you can cut through them as you pass.

Light physical activity can cause an episode of cholinergic urticaria, but obviously more strenuous and intense exercise will make things worse.

Some people who have UC also have occlusion of the pores, which means that they struggle with sweating due to blocked sweat glands. As a result, toxins build up in your system that can cause a host of problems for your body.

Some cholinergic urticaria patients choose to exercise through the itching and stinging sensations on their skin so they can sweat well. You need to be careful when doing this, because doing this process in excess can cause your body to go into shock.

However, sweating through hives seems to help many people who have UC.

External body temperature control

The change in ambient temperature is one of the most important factors to take into account. Outside temperatures, hot water (whether consumed or bathed), thermostat settings, and even what clothes you wear, how much you wear, and fabric materials need to understand to control cholinergic urticaria.

You may find that wearing sweat-wicking shirts when exercising really helps. These draw the fluids out of your skin and are quite effective at doing so.

Also consider using a dehumidifier for your office or home environment. This will keep moisture at bay and help you live in a livable environment.

Finally, cold compresses work great if you feel an outbreak of hives brewing. There are many different ways to make them, and you can even combine herbs and essential oils that have healing and soothing benefits for your skin.

Making one is simple. Just take a clean cotton cloth and dip it in a bowl of water. Whether you want to include some herbs or oils depends on it, but those would go overboard as well.

Normally the water compresses are very hot, but there are also cold ones; making a simple use of colder water. This method is not appropriate for people with aquatic urticaria (water urticaria), but it is useful for people struggling with cholinergic urticaria.