What is Cholinergic Urticaria and How is it Treated?

Symptoms

Cholinergic urticaria tends to occur very quickly after a person begins to sweat or gets overheated. The rash can occur anywhere on a person's body but may be more likely to appear on a person's trunk or arms. Typical signs and symptoms of the rash include any combination of the following:

  • itching or tingling at the onset of the rash
  • burning or itching in areas affected by the rash
  • areas of smaller weals, which are red, raised bumps on the skin
  • larger weals that lead to more significant areas of swelling

Most of the time, cholinergic urticaria is not serious, and the rash will fade on its own within an hour of its appearance.

Possible complications

Some people may have more severe reactions to cholinergic urticaria, however. A person who experiences a severe reaction may develop symptoms elsewhere in their body, including:

  • headaches
  • diarrhea
  • nausea
  • trouble breathing
  • palpitations
  • stomach cramps

In some instances, people with severe reactions to cholinergic urticaria may develop anaphylaxis, a life-threatening allergic reaction that requires emergency medical attention.

Causes

Cholinergic urticaria may occur any time a person sweats or gets too warm. The following events or situations can cause a person to develop cholinergic urticaria:

  • exercise
  • hot baths
  • sitting in a sauna or hot tub
  • being in a warm room
  • exposure to hot weather
  • running a fever
  • being angry or upset
  • stress
  • eating spicy food

Scientists believe these situations raise a person's body temperature and cause the body to release histamine, a compound that the body tends to release in response to injury. This compound triggers some people to develop cholinergic urticaria.

Diagnosis

When symptoms of cholinergic urticaria occur and are disruptive but not severe, a doctor can likely diagnose the condition from a description of the person's symptoms. A doctor may want to run tests to confirm the diagnosis of cholinergic urticaria, however. These tests may include:

  • An exercise challenge: while a person is exercising, the doctor will monitor them for signs of cholinergic urticaria.
  • A passive warming test: a person will sit in a warm room or warm water while a doctor checks the skin for signs of cholinergic urticaria.
  • A methacholine skin challenge test: a doctor injects a drug called methacholine into a person's skin to see if cholinergic urticaria develops.

Treatment

Treatment options vary from person to person and may range from medications to lifestyle changes, such as avoiding triggers. Some people, such as athletes, may not be able to avoid exercise so a doctor may recommend medical management right away. Doctors may suggest antihistamine medication, such as H1 agonists, or anticholinergic drugs to treat this condition. At present, however, there is no single way to treat cholinergic urticaria that is deemed to be completely effective. For people who manage the condition through lifestyle changes, avoiding triggers is usually the best approach. People looking to avoid triggers for cholinergic urticaria should avoid the following:

  • exercise
  • spicy food
  • hot showers and baths
  • prolonged exposure to heat

Also, people looking for lifestyle management should look for ways to reduce and manage their stress and anger, such as through meditation or journaling.

Diet

Some specialists recommend people adopt a low-histamine diet to help with chronic urticaria. Histamine is a chemical involved in the body's allergic response. The theory behind a low-histamine diet is that reducing foods that contain histamine will help the body absorb less histamine. Absorbing less histamine would then reduce the allergic response causing the urticaria. People on a low histamine diet should reduce or avoid foods such as:

  • salty foods
  • fish and shellfish
  • foods high in preservatives or additives
    • nuts
  • vinegar
  • dairy
  • alcohol
  • many fruits and vegetables

Another diet option is an elimination diet. An elimination diet is designed to help a person find out which foods might trigger an allergic response. Introducing foods into the diet and then eliminating any that might trigger an allergic reaction can help prevent or reduce the severity of any cholinergic urticaria reactions.

It is important to note that diets are not well-studied for their effectiveness in actually reducing symptoms of cholinergic urticaria. Anyone planning a restrictive diet should discuss it with a doctor or dietitian, especially if they have other health conditions.

Prevention

One of the simplest ways to prevent cholinergic urticaria is avoiding trigger activities. People who experience cholinergic urticaria should avoid exercises that cause excessive sweating or heat. Similarly, they should also avoid situations or activities that make a person hot. This is particularly true during summer months.

A doctor will likely prescribe antihistamines to help prevent allergic reactions. These medications will help prevent a person's body overreacting to triggers. Other medication options include:

  • beta-blockers
  • sweat reducers
  • immunosuppressants

For those who experience anaphylaxis during exercise, a doctor will likely prescribe an EpiPen. A person will also likely want to find a workout partner to help in case of an emergency.

Outlook

Mostly, symptoms disappear a few hours after they first appear. People who experience frequent or long-lasting symptoms may wish to speak to their doctor about better ways to prevent the condition. If a person experiences any trouble breathing during exercise, they should seek immediate medical attention.

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