Any treatments for cholinergic urticaria?

[Deathwing]

I have cholinergic urticaria which is induced principally by exercise. I moved to the UK age 18 from Spain and took up intensive sports (swimming/gym/cycling). I developed the allergy age 21 and it is induced principally by sport. I have had it now for 7 years and given up most sports.

I have tried H1/H2 antihistamines, monteleukast, mast cell stabilisers, phototherapy (UVA, UVB), Ciclosporin, Chinese medicines recommended by alternative practitioners, diet changes - and am going to try Doxopin, Beta blockers, Probanthene, Omaluzinab (hopefully).

The antihistamines (Loratidine / Ranitidine) have a moderate reductive effect on the itching, but nothing else has any effect. I am open to trying anything!

[Sah_31]

Hi Deathwing. I don't know much about cholingergic urticaria but I did find this website that has further information, thought it might be of use: cholinergicurticaria.net

[Deathwing]

Thank you, it's always good to read up more on the condition. I am surprised I haven't seen that site before! I'll have a read up on it!

[zurraspa]

I have had quite a bit of rather hideous itch in the past, not sure what type but it increases massively in a hot bath. I discovered recently that I had high blood pressure, since taking some pills, a statin and Calcium Channel blocker, my blood pressure has gone down and I do not get the itching.

Might be worth checking your blood pressure, mine was pretty high, I did not believe that at first due to one bloke measuring it with the wrong size cuff, now I use a monitor that has an audio output, right size cuff and keep up regular checks. If you are a muscular chap, with big biceps you may need a large cuff. It may be that people giving up regular exercise can have changes to their blood pressure.

[sunflowerrrrrs]

I know this is quite an old post now, but did you ever find anything that helps you? I also suffer from Cholinergic Urticaria.

[Deathwing]

My blood pressure was fine. Antihistamines help reduce the itching, allowing me to carry out short burst exercise (mainly weightlifting as the 3-minute rest break between lifts keeps me reasonably cool - I still itch, but it's just about tolerable).

My Dad suggested CBD oil 4 times a day which apparently helped him - he suddenly developed something similar though I don't think it was exactly cholinergic urticaria. I tried it but the effect on me was comparable to antihistamines.

From research there is a drug (Omalizumab/Xolair) which I have not tried but looks like it has a reasonable chance of being effective, as it reduces IGE levels (I have elevated IGE). However, it is expensive private treatment by injection (and increases the risk of heart attack) so I have never tried it.

Still haven't found anything to help with cholinergic urticaria.

[DVISION in reply to Deathwing]

I’ve had cholinergic urticaria for over 20 years. Antihistamines never worked to stop symptoms. The only thing that worked for me and many other sufferers is sweat therapy. You can use either a sauna/steam room or even standing in a hot steaming shower. This allows the pores to open up quickly to allow sweating which in most cases brings relief.

[Deathwing]

Agreed - one of the interesting things about this condition is that if you trigger it once in the day it is less likely to happen again (or happens with a reduced intensity) that same day. Thus if I exercise or sauna into a sweat in the morning, I find I suffer less throughout the rest of the day.

[DVISION]

Yes. Yesterday I used the sauna for 10-15 minutes. I started to sweat a little. I was then able to jump on the treadmill for 25 minutes without any itching at all. I had a great workout. It’s winter where I live and this is the only way that helps my symptoms. During the summer I sweat normally because of the heat/humidity.