Cholinergic Urticaria Treatment and MAST Test Review

I have had recurring bouts of cholinergic urticaria every winter for several years.

Although it got better when I took dermatological medication, it was chronic hives that would recur when the season came around after I finished taking the medication, so this time I had a more detailed examination and received treatment for cholinergic urticaria. This is a review.

 

 

cholinergic urticaria It is a condition in which hives appear on the body even when the body temperature rises slightly above normal body temperature.

I usually get extremely itchy, red, embossed rashes all over my body in the spring and winter when the temperature changes drastically.

It wasn't food poisoning or an insect bite, but I got cholinergic urticaria every winter.

The itching was so bad that I would wake up at night scratching.

At first, I was prescribed oral medication and Topisol cream from a general dermatologist to treat my cholinergic urticaria. Taking the medication only helped for a short period of time, but it would recur whenever the seasons changed or my condition worsened.

Especially in the winter, when I was walking outside, I would suddenly feel a sudden surge of heat and itchiness would come up, so it was very itchy even when I walked.

Those of you who have cholinergic urticaria probably know that there are times when it is so itchy that it is difficult to walk.

It was to the point where I felt uncomfortable in my daily life.

After scratching, I ended up with bruises and my face started to swell.

 

After seeing this, I thought it was not just itchiness but an allergy.

For treatment of cholinergic urticaria, I went to an internal medicine department, not a dermatology department.

At the hospital, they said I had sun allergy and cholinergic urticaria and suggested I get an allergy test called MAST.

I had previously taken a food allergy test, so I was wondering if I should take it again.

The MAST test is a completely different test and is said to be able to detect allergies that delayed tests cannot.

So I went in for some tests to determine the best course of action for my cholinergic urticaria, and the process was really simple.

Just draw some blood and you're done!

No fasting was required and results came back in 3 days.

The cost was around 40,000 won, and I received a refund through my health insurance.

For reference, testing is also available at dermatology clinics.

 

 

MAST test results

 

MAST results are graded into Class 1 to 6.

The higher the number, the stronger the allergic reaction.

Symptoms usually appear from level 3 or higher.

 

I got 2, 3, 4, and 5.

High levels were found in house dust mites, dogs, and cats.

Not now, but I used to have a pet... so I think that's why.

As expected, I didn't just have skin rashes, but rather had hives due to allergies.

 

According to the doctor, it is difficult to completely eliminate allergies.

The key is taking medication and avoiding the cause, so they adjusted the cholinergic urticaria medication to suit my condition.

After that, I started treating cholinergic urticaria with an allergy treatment.

Compared to when I used general dermatological medicine and allergy shots sold at pharmacies, the itchiness has definitely decreased!!

This medicine really works well.

In particular, when the body temperature rises, the hives that used to spread out become less frequent.

I wash my bedding more often than before, and I always use a dehumidifier and air purifier. Although the dust mite count is average, I am also very careful about my home environment because I heard that allergies can make rhinitis worse.

I also have some pork allergy scores, but it seems like it would be too hard to quit for the rest of my life...

The hospital also said that it is not the highest level, so check your body's reaction when taking it.

 

Treatment of cholinergic urticaria is not just a matter of medication; it is also necessary to treat allergies in parallel to get better.

It would be difficult to say that it is completely cured, but it is now in a much more stable condition than before.

If you suffer from recurring hives,

Rather than relying solely on simple ointments or over-the-counter dermatological medications, it might be a good idea to get a MAST test and determine the right treatment for your cholinergic urticaria. For those with a long history of urticaria, like me, a more systematic approach seems necessary.