Heat rash: I'm allergic to effort!

BeanQueen3000

I've recently re-started my workout routine after a long absence, and I'm noticing a problem I used to have really bad. Once my heart rate is good and cranking, and I start to sweat a little, my whole body (full on, head to toe) is covered in hives from what I assume is heat rash. While it's not enough to stop or slow down my workouts, it's pretty embarrassing and uncomfortable for a few hours following leaving the gym.

I've changed detergents/tried washing my clothes differently, to no avail.
Antihistamines and other allergy meds knock me out, with almost no exception. no dice.
Showering before/after doesn't seem to make any difference, though it does relieve the crazy full-body itch temporarily.

I've never really noticed any other ladies in the locker room that look like they've just been attacked by a swarm of bees, but I tend to keep my eyes to myself in there.

I can't imagine I'm the only person who deals with this. The doctor/dermatologist is my obvious next stop, but I'd be curious to see if anyone else here has experience with this and could share some advice.

Cherimoose

found this by searching -

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/488229-anyone-get-exercise-induced-hives

BeanQueen3000

That was both helpful and kind of frightening, thank you

Homemaker57

I don't have that problem, but I do always get the sneezes after I work out. I feel like everyone else in the gym will think I have a cold and am spreading germs! Haha.


I hope your doctor has some good advice for you!

amybg1

I usually get heat rash in the summer, never winter but what you CAN do especially post-workout is a cold shower. Personally I'm no fond of full-on cold showers but I've taken a liking to contrast showers, start with warm water to open up your pores and get yourself squeaky clean - finish with a few minutes of cold showering which gets your heart pumping/I find regulates my body temps if you're like me and a fireball in the winter, more importantly though it'll shrink your pores so if you suffer from acne this will help and if not your skin/hair looks and feels better. The cold water will also (obviously) reduce your body temp and the heat rash will subside

BeanQueen3000

I'll try the cold shower thing tomorrow. Reading up on the subject a bit (exercise-induced urticardia) , it looks like this can turn into anaphylaxis or worse if i keep at it too hard. Since it's basically a histamine response, antihistamines are suggested. Sad trombone.

I'm already pretty uncoordinated on the elliptical machine; i'd need a spotter to be able to pull it off while looped out on claritin.

For all the times I used the "allergic to exercise" excuse in phys ed, I'm really, really upset at the prospect that it might actually be true. When i get past the initial few days of soreness, i really love working out and it's given me way more than just physical benefits. Hopefully someone with some medical expertise can allay my fears about it.

Off to the doctor with me.