What Causes Whole Body Itching While Treating Anxiety?

Posted on Mon, 11 Sep 2017

Question: Hi i am a 29 yr old male

It is winter time here in melbourne, and for the past month eveytime i take a really hot shower my skin will go red and itch for about 20 min then go away. Also if i wash my hands with hot water they turn red and itch. When i grab a hot cup of coffee will do same itchy and turn red. Yesterday was XXXXXXX and my legs were in sun for about 10 min then same happened they turned red and had little bumps and were itchy for 20 min then went away. This has never happened tonne before, I read it may cholonergic urteica. If so will this happen in the summertime also as i really enjoy the sun. I also have anxiety and stress that may have caused it. Wjat are your thoughts.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (57 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Cholinergic Urticaria. Take an oral antihistamine once daily.

Detailed Answer:
hello. thank you for writing to us

I am Dr. Kakkar(dermatologist). I have gone through your query and I have noted your concern.

Yes, you definitely have cholinergic urticaria.
The trigger for cholinergic urticaria is a change in core body temperature. Histamine released from mast cells mediates the reaction in cholinergic urticaria.
Exercise, hot shower, emotions (like embarrassment, guilt, anger), eating hot/ spicy food, sun exposure are some of the precipitating factors of cholinergic urticaria. Stress and anxiety though not directly implicated may lower the threshold for developing urticarial reaction.
Many people experience cholinergic urticaria only in winters and are absolutely fine in summers. So hopefully that is the case with you.
Treatment of cholinergic urticaria is symptomatic. You may take a tablet of an oral antihistamine cetrizine 10mg or loratadine10mg once daily for a few days to prevent the reaction from happening.
Antihistamines block release of histamine from mast cells and therefore prevent the urticaria from happening.

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (37 minutes later)

Ok it has been a month now and is still happening intried certizine for 5 days it did help but when instopped taking them it came back

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (2 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Oral antihistamine

Detailed Answer:
hi.

fine. Take cetrizine once daily for a longer period i.e 3 - 4 weeks.

Regards

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

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (2 minutes later)

Ok what do you think the cause of it could be somethting seriouse i had a blood test a few weeks ago and everything was good

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (9 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Bothersome but not serious

Detailed Answer:
hi.

Cholinergic urticaria though bothersome is not a serious condition. Change in core body temperature is the underlying cause. Exercise, hot shower, hot/spicy food etc are common triggers. Many people who have cholinergic urticaria experience it only in winters and are fine in summers. Treatment is entirely symptomatic.

regards

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

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (18 minutes later)

What could be cause?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (45 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Cholinergic urticaria is idiopathic in majority

Detailed Answer:
hi.

Cholinergic urticaria has no known cause in most i.e is idiopathic.. It just happens in some individuals in response to the triggers which I mentioned. Some patients may have it every time during the same season.

Regards

Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation

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