What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Cholinergic Urticaria (Chronic Heat Hives)?
Individuals with Cholinergic Urticaria often have no symptoms at all when they are not being exposed to a heat stimulus. They can function normally and appear to be healthy. They only begin to exhibit symptoms when they are exposed to the physical stimulus (i.e. heat). Once the individuals body temperature rises (as a result from exercise, anxiety, nervousness, etc.), he or she may start immediately going into a hives reaction as a response to the heat (and subsequent acetylcholine release). Symptoms usually appear quickly, and may persist until the individual either cools down (reduces body temperature), the individual sweats, or the reaction subsides on its own. Most of these symptoms occur simultaneously, and may persist for several minutes. In addition, a person may experience these symptoms any time they are exposed to the heat stimulus, and may have multiple reactions per day.
