About urticaria, cholinergic

What is urticaria, cholinergic?

Cholinergic urticaria is a relatively common disorder of the immune system characterized by an immediate skin reaction (hypersensitivity) to heat, emotional stress, and/or exercise. Symptoms of the disorder include the appearance of distinctive small skin eruptions (hives) with well-defined borders and pale centers, surrounded by patches of red skin (wheal-and-flare reaction). These red areas are typically intensely itchy (pruritus). Occasionally, cholinergic urticaria may be associated with systemic symptoms such as fever and/or difficulty breathing.

The symptoms of cholinergic urticaria may develop due to the reaction of specific immune system antibodies (IgE) to certain antigens, leading to a hypersensitivity response (Type I) and the wheal-and-flare reaction that is typical of cholinergic urticaria.

What are the symptoms for urticaria, cholinergic?

Pain symptom was found in the urticaria, cholinergic condition

If you’re experiencing CU, you may have:

  • wheals (small, raised Bumps on the skin)
  • redness around the bumps
  • itching

These Bumps typically develop within the first six minutes of exercise. Your symptoms may worsen for the next 12 to 25 minutes.

Although wheals can appear on your body, they often begin on your chest and neck first. They may then spread out to other areas. These Bumps can last anywhere from a few minutes to about four hours after exercise.

You may also experience symptoms unrelated to your skin’s surface. These include:

  • abdominal pain
  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • diarrhea
  • hypersalivation

CU can also be accompanied by exercise-induced anaphylaxis, a more severe allergic reaction to exercise. Its symptoms can be life-threatening and require immediate medical attention. Call 911 if you experience:

  • difficulty breathing
  • wheezing
  • abdominal pain
  • nausea
  • headache

If you have an EpiPen, you should administer the medication while you wait for help to arrive.

What are the causes for urticaria, cholinergic?

CU occurs when your body temperature rises. This can happen for a number of reasons, such as:

  • exercising
  • participating in sports
  • taking a hot bath or shower
  • being in a warm room
  • eating spicy foods
  • having a fever
  • being upset or angry
  • experiencing anxiety

Whatever activity or emotion raises your body’s temperature also triggers your body to release histamine. This is what causes the symptoms of CU to appear.

Anyone can develop CU, but men are most likely to be affected. CU generally begins around age 16 and may continue until age 30. You may be more susceptible to CU if you experience other forms of hives or have another skin condition.

What are the treatments for urticaria, cholinergic?

Your doctor will work with you on a treatment plan that’s suited to your individual needs.

If your symptoms are mild, simple lifestyle changes may be all you need. However, lifestyle modifications can be difficult to adhere to if you’re an athlete or if you engage in physical or strenuous activity in your daily life. Medication may be a better option for some.

Avoiding triggers

One of the simplest ways to manage CU is to modify the way you exercise and to avoid situations that raise your body temperature. Your doctor can advise you on how to best achieve this. Depending on your needs, treatment may involve limiting outdoor exercise during the summer months and learning strategies to manage stress and anxiety.

Medications

Antihistamines are the first line of medication your doctor may try to prevent and treat CU. These may include H1 antagonists, such as hydroxyzine (Vistaril) or terfenadine (Seldane), or H2 antagonists, such as cimetidine (Tagamet) or ranitidine (Zantac).

Ranitidine, brand name Zantac, is now marketed as Zantac 360, which contains a different active ingredient (famotidine). Famotidine is in the same class as ranitidine and works the same way but has not been found to contain unacceptable levels of NDMA.

You may also be prescribed a medication to control the amount you sweat, such as methantheline bromide or montelukast (Singulair). Your doctor may also recommend beta blockers, immunosuppressants, or even UV light to treat CU.

If you experience exercise-induced anaphylaxis, your doctor will prescribe an EpiPen to use if symptoms appear. Talk to them about how to use the EpiPen so that you’re prepared if severe symptoms occur. You may also want to have an exercise partner nearby so that they can step in and administer the medication if needed.

What are the risk factors for urticaria, cholinergic?

Anyone can develop CU, but men are most likely to be affected. CU generally begins around age 16 and may continue until age 30. You may be more susceptible to CU if you experience other forms of hives or have another skin condition.

Is there a cure/medications for urticaria, cholinergic?

Cholinergic urticaria is a common physical disorder of the immune system that is caused by increasing body temperature after exercise, intake of spicy foods, and mental stress. As a result of this, some small skin eruptions (hives) with well-defined borders and pale centers, surrounded by patches of red skin (wheal-and-flare reaction), appear for a few minutes. Sometimes it may be connected with fever and/or difficulty breathing.

  • To cure this disease, every individual requires certain treatment plans according to their reactions and requirements.
  • If symptoms are mild, then some small lifestyle changes may be needed, but those who are having difficulties with their lifestyle change due to their profession or something else should require medications.
  • Limiting outdoor exercise is one of the best treatments doctors suggest for controlling body temperature and one should also learn to manage stress and anxieties.
  • Antihistamines include H1 antagonists, hydroxyzine (Vistaril), terfenadine (Seldane), and H2 antagonists such as cimetidine (Tagamet) or ranitidine (Zantac) that are used for initial treatments, Zantac, (Zantac 360) contains Famotidine is also used.
  • Methantheline bromide or montelukast (Singulair) are also used for controlling sweating.
  • Beta blockers, immunosuppressant, or even UV light is also required for some ways to treat, EpiPen is also used for some patients prepared by doctors according to their requirements.


Symptoms
Wheals (small, raised bumps on the skin),Redness around the bumps,Itching abdominal pain,Nausea,Vomiting,Diarrhea,Hypersalivation
Conditions
Tiny hives surrounded by large patches of red skin
Drugs
Cetirizine (Zyrtec),Diphenhydramine (Benadryl),Hydroxyzine (Atarax, Vistaril),Fexofenadine (Allegra),Loratadine (Alavert, Claritin)

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