I break out in itchy hives when I work out!

Faithful_Chosen wrote: »

Sounds like cholinergic urticaria -- heat hives. Do see your docter, though. Antihistamines might help, but again, talk to your doctor. Good luck!

Yes I think you will find Faithful, Caitwn and Laur357 are correct. "Cholinergic Urticaria is a medical term used to describe a subcategory of physical urticaria (hives). It is characterized by a hypersensitive response in the skin as a result of the body increasing in temperature (passively or actively), or the precipitating release of sweat. Individuals with this physical heat hives condition often ask, “Why do I itch when I get hot or exercise?” This is the most common symptom experienced by sufferers.

Individuals may experience a cholinergic urticaria reaction in response to any activity that increases overall body temperature (or causes a sweat release). Some examples include the following:
•Taking a hot shower or bath
•Eating spicy foods
•Exercising or doing physical activities that increase body temperature
•Stress or anxiety
•Emotional responses (sadness, anxiety, anger, laughter)
•Transitioning from a cool environment to a hotter environment without allowing the body time to slowly acclimate to the temperature difference (such as walking from a cold room to a hot room)"

We were discussing something similar the other day but I can't find the thread (I think it is in one that got nuked). My daughter used to break out in hives all the times but once we found it was brought on by extremes of heat and cold we were able to manage the problem. Definitely, antihistamines proved to be helpful.

I think you will find once you understand the problem you will be able to manage it better. Good luck.

Keep Benadryl with you to be safe.

I was baffled when this first started happening to me. I eventually discovered that when I eat specific foods - such as shrimp - and then exercise vigorously/sweat, I first experience severe abdominal cramps, then hives (which are small and abundant all over my body and large on my face, lymph nodes and neck), a burning sensation in my palms and soles of my feet, and then eventually coughing and chest tightness. Apparently I have some food allergy that is triggered by exercise (haven't seen an allergist yet to determine exactly which foods), so I usually won't exercise after consuming the foods I do know trigger it or take a Benadryl if I'm not sure. If you're in the position to see an allergist, though, I recommend it as it's high on my priority list.

julescba04 wrote: »

laur357 wrote: »

Histamine Response

Some research suggests that histamine is released during exercise to protect against fatigue, rather than as an allergic response. Histamine works to expand blood vessels in your body, but, unfortunately, sends the itchy message to your brain. As with urticaria, taking an antihistamine before running may help, and it’s possible that as you continue your regimen, the itching will lessen.
- See more at: http://share.upmc.com/2015/03/prevent-runners-itch-save-workout/#sthash.Sh5ezpYg.dpuf

Your doctor or an allergist can do a skin test to see if you react to histamines. Probably a good idea to talk to your doc about this one.

Good post..

I have similar problem, but happens at any time. I have to take anti-histamines every day, just so I don't claw my skin off

Yes I agree that for anyone with this problem, a trip to the doctor would be advisable. Hopefully, things have progressed over the past 25 years because I had absolutely no success with doctors when my daughter was having trouble with hives and welts at the time. It was her asthmatic aunt who told me my daughter was reacting to extremes of heat and cold.

Anyway, keep a note of when it happens and see if you can connect it to extremes of heat and cold eg. warming yourself against a heater or too many blankets on the bed or exercising, that sort of thing. However, if you are on a constant supply of histamines it may be difficult to notice the connection.

RodaRose wrote: »

Keep Benadryl with you to be safe.

I know Benadryl is an antihistamine, but wouldn't it dry up your and make you drowsy because it is mainly used for coughs, cold and flu. I also think if you are asthmatic there are better products to use. Once again, check with your doctor before using any medication. Often people with hives etc are allergic type people who may suffer from asthma as well. I know my daughter has to be careful with all medications because of her asthma and allergies.

I have Exercise-Induced Urticaria. I didn't know anyone else that would itch when exercising and people were just bewildered when I told them about it. I was worried that I wouldn't be able to exercise. One night after walking with my husband (and nearly clawing my skin off) I came home and looked in the mirror and surely enough, I was hiving. It started on my legs, then my back, then spread to my chest. My doctor suggested a daily antihistamine. I tried Allegra and noticed minimal improvement if any. When I went back to the doctor, the pharmacist there said she had the same thing and suggested I try Clariton. I switched and now don't remember having a problem with it in quite a while. You really don't want to continue to exacerbate the problem if you are hiving. Your body is having an allergic reaction which can be very dangerous. Definitely talk to your doctor about it.

I get what my doctor calls "stress hives" when my body has to deal with sudden temperature changes. The cold bothers me most, with sucks because I live in WI. If I leave a warm cozy house and suddenly have to endure -20F, I break out into painful hives. If I leave an air conditioned house and go out into 85F and sweat, Hives. If I workout getting sweating too quickly instead of a gradual build, same thing. My body does not like temperature changes. Maybe that is why after a few weeks of working out you do better? it is less stress on your system to adjust to? Benedryl gives relief to the systems, but it also knocks me. Hydrocortizone cream is my good friend, but my Pharmacist says not to use it too often on my face. Sometimes, too, when the hives linger a couple of days after getting sweaty, I rub on an antifungal cream "just in case" my sweat fed yeast just enough to get a growth going. Since my heat hives tend to linger in my sweat creases, my Pharmacist says "it won't hurt..."

Amazing how many people suffer from this problem. I feel sorry for you as I remember how painful it was for my daughter.

Kelly, be careful with Hydrocortisone as I understand it is extremely damaging to the skin and should be used rarely. My friend has very bad eczema and the cortisone has damaged her hands to the extent that they look like the hands of a 100 year old.