Cholinergic Urticaria: A Guide to Chronic Heat Hives

Book excerpt: At age 18, Ben’s life took a dramatic turn when he developed cholinergic urticaria--a hives disorder that reacts to heat. Over the next decade, he struggled to find ways to manage the condition, often trying various remedies in the process. Eventually, his hives became so severe that he couldn’t even do basic day-to-day tasks. Any activity he engaged in would often result in an unbearable stinging and itching sensation that engulfed his body. He often struggled with depression and withdrew from most activities. However, by the grace of God, he eventually overcame his hives disorder. Ben wrote this book to educate people about the disorder, to encourage and motivate current sufferers, and to share what’s helped him overcome his own hives. The book contains the following chapters: Chapter 1: My Cholinergic Urticaria Story Chapter 2: What is Cholinergic Urticaria, Exactly? Chapter 3: Cholinergic Urticaria Signs and Symptoms Chapter 4: Cholinergic Urticaria Causes/Triggers Chapter 5: Cholinergic Urticaria Treatments Chapter 6: Other Diseases in Relation to Cholinergic Urticaria Chapter 7: Cholinergic Urticaria and Exercise Chapter 8: Cholinergic Urticaria and Diet Chapter 9: How I Cured My Cholinergic Urticaria Chapter 10: Getting Motivated and Staying Positive Chapter 11: A Few Words for Loved Ones Chapter 12: Thirty Days and 18 Steps to Improve Cholinergic Urticaria Final Words About Cholinergic Urticaria: Cholinergic urticaria is a type of hives characterized by a hypersensitive response in the skin due to an increase in body temperature, especially if the increase is enough to illicit a sweat response. It’s often referred to as “chronic heat hives,” and it can cause tremendous discomfort for those suffering with it. Symptoms of this type of physical hives can include a stinging, itching, and “prickling” sensation when the individual becomes warm. Hives and wheals may also develop. Some people have only itching and prickling symptoms, whereas others may have only actual hives (or anything in-between). This type of hives can be triggered by physical activity (exercise, strong emotions, laughing, etc.), or passive heating (taking a hot shower, walking into a hot room, standing in the hot sun, etc.).