Hives from cold weather and after getting sun burn

[BLUEPMR]

Has any one else had this problem I started to get hives a few years ago when exposed to cold and now have it very badly after getting sunburned. Rash with large itchy lumps. Is this part of the PMR effect on the immune system.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Not one I have come across before. Are they sure it is PMR and not another autoimmune condition?

[BLUEPMR in reply to PMRpro]

Probably need to do battle with the receptionist to try and get an appointment with the doctor to find out why this is happening. Thanks for your reply appreciate it

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to BLUEPMR]

Are you on pred? That can make you much more sensitive to the sun. But the cold urticaria is another thing.

[BLUEPMR in reply to PMRpro]

No still trying to avoid it

[piglette]

Did you talk to anyone about the hives you get when cold? Was it cold urticaria? I think it may be a different rash from the sun, possibly a heat rash of some sort. I suppose the steroids could have something to do with it. Have you talked to a doctor?

[BLUEPMR in reply to piglette]

Thanks piglette I will have to try and get an appointment.

[piglette]

I think that would be sensible. Good luck.

[Crochetgardener]

This is exactly what I am going through. Itchy, red , lumpy skin. Worse in the evening and night. Doctor said it was urticaria earlier in the year but it is now anywhere on my body. Had shingles at Christmas and wonder if it is connected. Waiting for another appt as I really cant stand it , I am scratching so much I am damaging my skin . Have been on pred. For two years and down to 4mg with adrenal insufficiency

[BLUEPMR in reply to Crochetgardener]

That's awfull for you I find it more itchy at night not on pred as my adrenals are already struggling. Mine seems to start in extreme weather conditions on the skin that's exposed only

[Hummingbird28 in reply to Crochetgardener]

I have very similar problems at the moment. My rash appeared during the hot weather at the beginning of June and I assumed it was a heat rash. It’s on my back, which is impossible to see, but I could feel raised bumps and it was very itchy, and difficult to reach . So I asked a friend to have a look and she took a photo for me which was very helpful and said I ought to have it looked at. My doctors are going through a merger at the moment and it’s difficult to get an appointment so I called in to see the pharmacist and after a good chat and searching through Google, he advised hydrocortisone cream and antihistamine tablets. The cream hasn’t done anything … neither did the other three that I tried … but the antihistamines appear to be working and the itching has got slightly better. It was worse in the evening and in bed at night and has caused some sleepless and uncomfortable nights, so this relief is very welcome!

Interestingly, I also had shingles at Christmas which lasted well into March and I wondered if that could be connected. In February when the rash was beginning to improve I started to have itching on the back of my neck and into my hairline …. not where the shingles rash was and there weren’t any spots just itching. I still have that but now there are spots and it still itches terribly.

When I started with shingles I was taking 3 mgs of prednisolone and decided to go to 5mgs and hope that it was enough to keep any PMR flare away, which it did. Once the shingles had gone I slowly went back to my 3 mgs dose and eventually went to 2.5. - when the rash on my back appeared.

I have wondered if my immune system couldn’t deal with a simple heat rash because of the low dose of prednisolone … just a theory, and the pharmacist agreed that it could be a possibility. So for the last 5 days I have gone back to 5 mgs and maybe that, together with the antihistamine, will be a solution. I’ll just add that I haven’t had any skin complaints before or after PMR arrived so this is all quite new .. and very frustrating!

[Crochetgardener in reply to Hummingbird28]

thank you so much for your reply. It’s miserable isn’t it ? Have just got an appt for two weeks time so will definitely ask about anti histamines. Hope you get some help and relief from your symptoms and yes how on earth can you apply cream to your own back !,🤨

[BLUEPMR in reply to Crochetgardener]

I was told that Zirtek is best for skin and I found it quiet a relief without the extra drowsiness on top of my usual knackerdness too. I have to get the liquid because the tablets contain lactose

[YogaJM]

Urticaria can have many triggers or causes, but I certainly developed florid urticaria shortly after my autoimmune condition (which was initially diagnosed as PMR). The tell tale signs are red patches and blebs and wheals. It is itchy. Can be pressure triggered. Mine is worse in the evening, but gradually improving. I take cetirizine about every third day now when it breaks out and the drug works within about 40 minutes.

[BLUEPMR in reply to YogaJM]

Ah yes YogaJM just the same and right about Cetrizine that's the ingredient in Zirtek and it works better for skin allergies than other antihistamine. Like you I had nothing like this until I was diagnosed with PMR

[Nightingales]

I had a similar rash that was getting worse. Turns out I am allergic to Alendronic Acid.

[BLUEPMR in reply to Nightingales]

This autoimmune thing is such a nightmare isn't it