Having a hives attack can be miserable enough but the heat of summer makes the condition even worse, and in some cases even causes it. Urticaria (the medical term for hives) is experienced by about 20% of the population. Most urticaria attack causes are never figured out. But that doesn’t make the condition any easier to live with. A hives attack comes on suddenly as the result of the body’s immune system releasing histamine from the skin’s mast cells. The histamine release is a defense mechanism against an enemy; either real or one the immune system thinks is real. This release causes slight swelling and the splotchy, red and raised wheals on the skin. These wheals are the part of the hive attack that causes the misery. They itch, often terribly so. Scratching them makes them even worse. The heat of summer and sweat aggravates these areas even more.
In some cases, the heat is the cause of the urticaria attack. This is known as cholinergic urticaria.
Cholinergic Urticaria Attack – What Is It?
Cholinergic urticaria is a subcategory of physical urticaria. It is a hypersensitive response in the skin as the result of an increase in body temperature, or even the release of sweat. This type of hives attack is obviously more common in the summer months. Some people even refer to it as “heat rash” but a hives attack brought on by heat is more than just a rash.
It is thought that this type of urticaria attack is caused by the breakdown of the mast cells in the skin immediately prior to the release of sweat. This is thought to be caused by the body releasing a chemical called acetycholine. This somehow triggers an allergic response in the skin. The urticaria attack only occurs upon exposure to heat stimuli of some sort. Usually, just prior to the actual hives attack, the person will feel a stinging or itchy sensation on a certain area of the body. If you know you are prone to this type of hives attack, it may be a good idea to carry an antihistamine medication with you during the summer months, or if you know you are going to be involved in an activity that is likely to result in raising your body temperature, like exercise.
If you do experience a cholinergic urticaria attack, avoid scratching it, as difficult as that may be. It will only make the wheals worse and aggravate the hives.
How To Treat A Heat Related Hives Attack
There is no cure for this type of hives. In fact, it is not even completely understood. The best idea is to avoid the triggers, like exercise, physical activity, hot rooms, or even spicy foods. But during the summer, it is almost impossible to avoid the heat and the resulting hives attack, so carrying around an antihistamine medication is a good idea.
Many times, this type of hives will eventually go away, never to come back. For those lucky enough to have this happen, it may be useful to know that the average length of time that one suffers from cholinergic hives attacks is seven years. But that is a long seven years to deal with the unending itching. Try to work with a doctor or other expert to find a regimen that lessens the frequency of these hives attacks. The answer may lie in a overall healthier immune system.
