Milliyet Newspaper – June 28, 2021
Hives are a skin reaction that causes itchy, red bumps that may burn or sting. This condition is also called urticaria. Stating that hives can also be caused by an increase in body temperature, Istanbul Allergy Founder, Allergy and Asthma Association President Prof. Dr. Ahmet Akçay conveyed important information about heat urticaria.
What is heat-rise hives?
You may think that hives are caused by an allergic reaction, but they can also be caused by an increase in temperature. These are called heat hives or cholinergic urticaria. Cholinergic urticaria (also called cholinergic angioedema or heat strokes) is a reaction that results in small hives surrounded by large red patches of skin. They are related to the increase in your body temperature. You can get itchy red hives on your skin for many reasons. Those that occur when you sweat from training, are nervous, or are just hot are called cholinergic urticaria. You may be more likely to get these hives if you have eczema, asthma, or other allergies such as hay fever, or if you develop hives for other reasons, such as certain foods or medications, pressure on your skin, or cold weather.
Heat urticaria causes and risk factors
Heat rash occurs when sweat is trapped under your skin by clogged pores. Causes include humid weather, physical activity, or other factors that cause your body temperature to rise. Although heat rash tends to go away on its own, more severe or persistent conditions can also occur.
Heat urticaria is caused by nerve fibers in your sweat glands. When your body temperature rises, your skin reacts to heat and sweat. These hives can occur after:
-After a hot shower or bath
-After sweating during exercise,
– If you are in a hot climate,
-When you sweat,
-When you eat hot or spicy food,
-When you are sad or angry.
What are the symptoms of temperature rise urticaria?
These hives; It feels itchy, hot and tingling. They are usually small (1-3 millimeters) red bumps surrounded by flares or circles called bumps.
It can occur in any part of your body, but in general; they appear on your chest, face, back, and arms. Your skin may look swollen and blotchy, or it may just look red. Heat urticaria occurs within minutes of contact with a trigger and can take several hours to disappear.
It could be exercise-induced anaphylaxis!
Although very rare, some people can get anaphylaxis (a severe allergic reaction) from active exercise like aerobics and jogging or even from less intense activities like walking. Symptoms of exercise-induced anaphylaxis include:
-Skin reactions such as hives, itching, red or pale skin
-Low blood pressure (hypotension),
-Weak and fast heart rate
-Airway narrowing; swollen tongue or throat, which can sometimes cause wheezing and difficulty breathing,
– Dizziness or fainting
– Nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea.
– If you notice a skin reaction after exercise, watch out for these other signs as well and seek emergency medical attention.
Treatment and prevention of temperature rise urticaria
Many hot hives go away on their own within 24 hours, but some home remedies, prescription medications, and prevention techniques can relieve symptoms and ease flare-ups. The allergist may prescribe some antihistamines based on your current condition and symptoms. Antihistamine drugs do not prevent hot urticaria from occurring, but can reduce the discomfort caused by the symptoms.
You can also take a few precautions to help prevent heat hives:
Try not to sweat too much while exercising.
– Avoid exposure to areas with high humidity.
-Avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight.
– Cool your hot skin to prevent or relieve hives.
– Try taking a cold shower, pressing a cloth dipped in cold water against your skin, or standing in front of a fan.
-Wear loose clothing.
– Keep your home and bedroom at a cool temperature.
