help.. undiagnosed rash

[jamiedonchi]

I have had a rash for about a year and a half. I don't know how exactly it came about, thought i had got bitten by something?
Been to a few doctors which have told me it is heat rash, and that it will go away, it hasn't gone away.

I get this rash usually when I'm exercising, startled, worried etc (so when my blood pressure or heart rate rises).
The rash usually goes away after 20mins - 1hr depending on the conditions and how bad the rash is.

The weird thing is that i wont get the rash when I'm playing basketball in the stadium, but i will outside. I sweat, and get the rash if i sweat or not. It is better then it was a year ago. I drink fluids and i am fit.
I get the rash in when i go swimming as well, and on my hands, wrists when its cold.

The rash is raised lumps, and around it goes red. It is irritating and itchy. I get it all over my body, arms, abdomin, legs, groin. It started going up to my face and neck but it isn't anymore.

Its summer and i want to swim without getting the rash, i want to exercise without getting the rash and want to enjoy myself..

I am thinking of going to the doctor again for get recommended to a dermatologist? Naturopath?

what are your thoughts on what it is and what i should do?

thankyou, jamie

[jamiedonchi]

help anyone?

[rad-skw]

What is exercise-induced urticaria?


Exercise-induced urticaria is a condition that causes hives and other allergic symptoms. It can occur during or after exercise. Hives or "welts" are usually raised, flat bumps on the skin that are more red around the edge than in the middle. Hives may also look like red spots, blotches or blisters. They can occur on any part of the body.


What does it mean if I get hives when I exercise?
Physical activity can cause allergic symptoms in some people. Symptoms may include:

• Hives (large or small)
• Itching of the skin
• Flushing (redness) of the skin
• Difficulty breathing or a choking feeling
• Stomach cramping
• Headache
• Swelling of the face, tongue or hands
• What should I do if I get hives during exercise?

You should stop exercising as soon as you notice the hives. If the hives don't go away in 5 to 10 minutes, or if you have other symptoms, call your doctor right away.


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Can exercise-induced urticaria be life-threatening?


In severe cases, symptoms may be life-threatening, but this is very rare. If you ever have severe symptoms, your doctor may prescribe a medicine called epinephrine for you. You inject this medication as soon as symptoms start. It stops the symptoms before they become life-threatening.


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Do I have to give up exercise?


You probably don't have to quit exercising. Most symptoms can be controlled by taking the medicine your doctor prescribes and by slowing down or stopping your exercise as soon as symptoms start. You should always exercise with a partner who knows about your condition.

In some people, eating certain foods before exercise may make allergic symptoms more likely to occur. Keep track of what you eat before exercising for a few weeks. If you notice a pattern to your symptoms that seems related to a certain food, stop eating it for a while and see if the hives stop. Also, your doctor may tell you not to exercise for 4 to 6 hours after you eat.


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What treatment is available?


Medicines, such as certain antihistamines, can prevent symptoms in some cases. Your doctor can help you identify things that trigger your allergic reaction and prescribe medicine, if necessary. For some people, it may be necessary to avoid certain types of exercise.

[Monsterlove]

sounds like a bit of heat rash....a naturopath might be able to help but you may just need to use over the counter products like Gold Bond powder to help it...it could stem from your diet so you might want to get allergy food tested...

[jamiedonchi]

thankyou rad-skw and monsterlove. i think this is what i have, or maybe cholinergic urticaria?
but i also get this when i am cold, like my hands/forearm started getting it last nite because it was cold. Also my skin will go llike, redish/orangish in the cold.

so should i go see a naturopath about this? is it possibly because of my diet? i know when i played basketball after school on mondays straight after school i wouldnt get the rash (maybe a few red dots). I hadnt eaten since 1 and played at 4 or 5. but when i played wednesday and got the chance for a pregame meal i would eat 1 and 1/2 to 2 hrs before i would get the rash (but still not that bad)
It usually gets worse when im not exercising, so if im playing then we have a timeout and i rest for a bit the rash usually comes through..

so is naturopath the best bet? because i want this fixed or helped if i can asap.

thankyou

[jamiedonchi]

*bump* anyone?

[jamiedonchi]

*bump again*...?

[Bristol]

Have you tried Zyrtec. I too have had rashes over the year and Zyrtec is a miracle drug for me.

[rad-skw]

Try the antihistamines.

[Monsterlove]

a homeopath or naturopath who practices homeopathy..