What Causes Inflammation And Itching On Body During Winters?

Posted on Sat, 22 Nov 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sat, 22 Nov 2014 Answered on

Tue, 9 Dec 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : My son, XXXX is facing following problem;

During winters, he has a sudden feeling of inflammation, so sudden piercing, in his skin, throughout his body which leads to severe itching and discomfort. This feeling isn't contained to a single body part but rather extends to the whole torso. This happens rarely during the summers but becomes very frequent during winters.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Urticaria; Provide more information

Detailed Answer:
Hello. Thanks for writing to us at healthcaremagic

After going through your query I will keep a possibility of Urticaria, specifically Cholinergic Urticaria.

-I would like to know whether are there any rashes or welts accompanying itching?
-Any specific triggers like exercise, sweating, Intake of spicy food, sun exposure, hot shower, strong emotions etc?

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (28 minutes later)

Answers to your queries:

- Yes, there are rashes accompanying the itching but they're not consistent.
- Yes, exercising, sweating, sun exposure, hot shower, all of these activities specifically trigger a short episode of itching and skin inflammation.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (56 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Avoid triggers if possible; Oral antihistamine

Detailed Answer:
Hi.

Thank you for clarification. This is suggestive of cholinergic urticaria.

The trigger in this type of urticaria is often a change in core body temperature. Certain situation that may trigger it are e.g strong emotions, exercise, sun and heat, hot shower, spicy food etc.

Once the cause of the rash is identified, it may be possible to avoid situations that trigger it e.g spicy food, prolonged sun exposure etc.
However, in many cases it is difficult to stop certain triggers like sweating, particularly in warm climates and if exercising is part of a daily routine.

It is chronic and is best treated with a single does of an oral antihistamine e,g cetrizine 10 mg once daily, can be helpful in preventing the condition from arising. Treatment is long term.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (11 minutes later)

Thank you for guiding preventive treatment, but also guide us for long term treatment.

Waiting your reply...

Regards,

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Cholinergic Urticaria

Detailed Answer:
Hi.

Apart from avoidance of known triggers, long term treatment remains the same i.e once daily cetrizine 10 mg.
Sometimes the patient may need to continue for months Or even years.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar