Heat Urticaria is an extremely rare condition in which hives occur as a result of heat exposure. This condition may also be referred to generalized heat urticaria or cholinergic urticaria. Cholinergic urticaria occurs as the result of a hot bath or shower or from exercise. This form of heat urticaria is brought about by a heat stimulus, but the reaction is actually due to sweat.
There is another type of heat urticaria that is less common. Localized heat urticaria is one of the rarest forms of physical urticarias. It is where well-defined lesions appear on the sites of the heat exposure.
Heat Induced Urticaria
All of these heat induced urticaria conditions are considered physical forms of urticaria. According to allergies.about.com, up to 20 to 30% of chronic urticaria cases have some sort of physical trigger. These heat induced urticaria forms can be triggered by any increase in body temperature.
Cholinergic especially can be caused by anything that causes the body to sweat; even things like spicy foods, stress, or anger is enough to start an outbreak. Sometimes they are caused by simply the temperature change of going from a cool area to a warm area. Whatever the case may be, preventative measures should be taken in order to avoid exposure to heat stimuli.
Heat Urticaria Treatment
Heat urticaria is usually treated effectively by antihistamines to control the conditions and eliminating such exposures help to prevent hives. Corticosteriods and anabolic steroids are also used. Some patients with this condition are desensitized with hot bath therapy, but this should only be tried under medical supervision. UVB therapy, sweat and exercise therapy, and diet changes may also be used to help in the management of heat urticaria.
Cholinergicurticaria.net offers non-medical options for cholinergic urticaria treatment. They may work for other forms of heat induced urticaria as well, just be sure to consult your physician before trying any new forms of treatment. The treatment options are as follows:
- Avoiding situations that cause hives and/or rapid cooling
- Wearing appropriate clothing by not overdressing
- Meditation, prayer, or mental relaxation may help people cope and relieve stress
- Using cooling sprays, ice packs, and other materials to resolve oncoming attacks
- Avoidance of compounds such as aspirin and alcohol that may make the condition worse
Exercise and sweat therapy that may induce small attack, but in the long run limit severe attacks by making the body adjust histamine levels. It is said to be good for mild cases, but too risky for severe cases.
