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97615 tn?1212678589

Itching over entire body w/ some rash upon change in body temperature

I posted a while ago thinking I might have uriticaria, well now I am having severe itching on my legs, arms, feet, torso, face, head and the rash will be on my hands, chest, neck, feet, and arms.  it is only w/ a temperature change but the temperature change is within me, not just outside.  If I start to exercise, get upset, sexual intercourse, going from inside to outside or vice versa.  Anything that changes my blood pressure has this effect on me.  I am concerned because I am 4mths pregnant and dont want this to be effecting my body.  I go to a pulmonary specialist for asthma and he is clueless and my allergist is clueless as well.  Any help would be greatly appreciated.
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Avatar universal
I have this reaction when  I am running on the treadmill. I work out usually on an elliptical and other machines, nothing happens when I sweat on those machines but when I am running on a treadmill, my whole body, including neck and arms have patches of redness and severe itching. I also thought it could be due to change in body temp since running has a quicker effect on my heart rate and my temperature than other cardio machines do. Its really annoying, often I stop running because I cant stop myself from scratching myself as I run. I wish I could figure out a way to control this.

Thanks.
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Avatar universal
Hi,

I have the exact problem. A little about myself. I'm 31, asian male, and have been fighting this around the last 10 years. I get very itchy when my body temperature rises. My whole body feels very tingly, skin turns red, I feel hot, my hairs itch, and body feels hot. It seems like I'm electricuted. I feel this when I'm giving a presentation, nervous, excited. Pretty much when my moode changes, or body temperature rises. I also noticed when I'm eating spicy food (which I love), or when I'm getting into a hot car during summer. I relief the symptoms by going outside when it's cold to bring down my body temperature or by putting cold water on my face and arms.
It's really frustrating and I've been to the doctors many times. They don't know what is going on. They think it's histemine and give me all kind of anti-histemine meds. They do not work!
On top of it all, I also have severe eczema. It's *****!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
dw1
I have the exact same skin condition you are describing. It also occurs at the same times you have described, and I am a 25 year old physically fit male. I have been to dermatologists who told me it was sympathetic dystrophy, a general practitioner who told me it was over active sweat glands. And one doctor even suggested a shrink ( not a bad idea but probably won’t help). This condition drives me crazy so if you have found anything that helps please let me know. I also sweat allot, don’t have a rash, and all of my tests have come back normal. Thanks for your help dw
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Avatar universal
...this disease Cholestasis of pregnancy presents no rash and I just noticed you had some rash, now I did create a rash due to the itching, but if your rash is there first and then you itch then it's probably pupps. Which is also very aggrevating but not dangerous to the baby. I am still glad that I posted all that in hopes that it brings awareness to others. But if you have an itch with no rash then check for Cholestasis, if you have a rash and then you itch then check for pupps.. both are only pregnancy related. hth...
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Avatar universal
It's Cholestasis of Pregnancy... I had it with both pregnancies...a liver disease of pregnancy  (doctors will tell you it's rare, but it's not it's just underdiagnosed) that causes the bile acids to spill out into your bloodsteam and causes your body to itch all over especially on the palms of your hands and the soles of your feet along with everywhere else..It also causes the billiriubin to rise, jaundice, your urine to become dark like iced tea and your stools to become pale greybeige light colored like chocolate chip cookie dough (I know gross but that's the color).
It is very important that you run not walk to your nearest maternal specialist and get them to check your "bile acids" (very important that they check the bile acids as the liver panel alone will not dx it) and do a complete liver panel. I had this twice with both pregnancies and it can be fatal to the baby if the bile acids get too high and you are not treated by urso (Actigall) (the only drug that lowers the numbers both helping you and the baby) and deliver as soon as fetal lung maturity is established (for me it was 5-6 weeks early).  You have probably already had your baby, hopefully everything went well but I post this to help others and I hope it has. I am 100% positive that is what you had. Be sure if you get pregnant again that you do get this checked. It is very likely to happen again in all future pregnancies.
On a side note I too have asthma and just out of curiosity did you ever have your gallbladder removed? There seems to be some link to this but more importantly it is heridetary so be sure to tell all the other pregnant women in your immediate family and your future pregnant daughters. GL
PS: for more visit this website: http://www.itchymoms.com I learned so much there it includes a letter to doctors to help educate them....etc..
and you can also google: "cholestasis of pregnancy"
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
My husband has something similar.  He breaks out in hives when he gets just a little bit overheated or stressed.  We are still looking to diagnose or treat this condition for him.  The only abnormal test result we have found is ALT (liver function) which should be 14-55 and it is 130!  Does anyone have any ideas?  
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Avatar universal
I don't know if you will get this message, but I just want to say that I have the same exact symptoms. I have had it increase in frequency over the last few years. It happens daily now during all the activities you wrote about. I don't think it has a direct connection to pregnancy, but that ypu may have stressed out your integumentary system. My self diagnosis has been based on my problem is that I have never sweated very much and I am very fair skinned. I think living in the tropics, I stressed my glands out. They started out small, but now that have either fatigued or become blocked. That is my diagnosis... no clue if I am right. I am going to to start changes in my diet to see if I can open them up... Any developments on your side over the last year or so??  Do you sweat only a little?
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Avatar universal
My opinion is yes an Internal Medicine Physician is a good start. They are pretty knowledgeable in a wide variety of diseases and conditions. Also they only treat adults.  That is their specialty.  I hope your pregnancy goes well. I had major complications with both of my children and just had a hysterectomy in Dec.  Try not to worry too much but go to the Dr. when it is necessary.  My sister would bleed during her pregnancies. Are you over doing it?  My friend Jamie just quit her job because of her bleeding, her Dr. didn't think there is any serious problems which is good news and this is also her third pregnancy.  Jamie also said it is alot of bleeding though.  I hope you figure out what is going on and there are many tests that are pretty basic like the 24 hour urine which will detect if there is anything abnormal going out. That is where they found higher levels of histamines but it can determine even more. The basic blood work really doesn't go into detail so if a Dr. orders more uncommon tests it will either help you with a diagnosis or make you feel more comfortable that it maybe normal. Main thing is to not let it worry you , I know how it can and then you see your children worried too.  Don't do any tests you don't want done. I had moments where yeah it sounded like a good idea but then when I thought about it what is this going to solve such as getting another MRI of the brain. I decided not to double up on tests even if it had been a year or so since the last.  Some Dr.'s will want to run everything possible to rule out everything before getting a diagnosis.  I hope yours is a easier diagnosis and treatable.  Thanks for writing and enjoy your pregnancy as much as you can.  I almost lost both of my children , I am sorry for your loss.  I know that must be hard. Bye, Crystal
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97615 tn?1212678589
well it sounds like you went through quite a bit.  I think I may have to after the baby is born.  I have a 16yr old daughter and this did not happen back then.  I was pregnant last April but it ended in m/c in May.  This is my 3rd pregnancy essentially.  My problem is not just exercise.  Its a change in body temperature due to actual temperature like going outside to inside or vice versa or even emotional change.  Mine seems related to an increase in blood pressure.  I have 90/60 or close to that always, except when i exercise of course.  I feel like I am allergic to my own blood.  I have not had any tests and will wait til the baby is born to have any done.  I am nervous about this pregnancy to begin w/ since my last m/c and we have had a few episodes of spotting.  I think it definitely is relative to histamine release.  So is an internal dr the best one to start with?
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97615 tn?1212678589
how would i know if it gets heart related?  i looked up the two things you mentioned and i dont think it is either of those.  I do believe it is some systemic problem i just want to narrow it down.  this only started when i went off singulair last february.  and it wasnt until i actually was pregnant (this ended in m/c) that i had this problem.  even after m/c this continued but worsened w/ my pregnancy now.  I welcome all suggestions!!  Thanks for responding.
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Avatar universal
Also one more thing there is an Exercised Induced Anaphylaxis.  Anaphylaxis can't present with hives or itching.  Start monitoring your blood pressure , normal verses when you have this during exercising.  I have noticed oops there is a connection mine is usually low but with my attacks it is extremely low and has gone even lower. Now it is not the same for everybody and it isn't something to cause an alarm.  I even went into shock when I was pregnant but it is able to be treated if that is what it is.  Is this your first pregnancy?  There is also Idiopathic causes which is basically no known cause.  You may just be having a fluke and that is it. Also one more thing did you have all of your blood work done.  I wouldn't worry too much but maybe the exercising is just too much to handle.  Find a Dr. that will listen to you? I explained mine to my Oncologist/Gynecologist they seem to be the best listeners, at least I think so.  Anyway I asked him to refer me to someone who is going to listen to me and figure out what is wrong.  I am 27 and this happened in 2001.  Good Luck and if you feel you need medical attention , listen to your signs and get it.
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Avatar universal
I will get a rash but it is do to a histamine release.  Have you had an 24 hour urine collection done.  Have it done especially when you have those symptoms.  The disease I have though is more complex than a histamine release only. I get really itchy with it.  I don't mean your allergic to detergent itchiness. You can't definitely pinpoint the cause. Do you get any other symptoms besides the rashes and hives?  I will go ahead and give you the names of two things I suffer from. I am no way suggesting you have these but just in case you may have more symptoms than you are posting or to read and check off no I don't have this here is some more. I have go into anaphylactic shock , and Have Systemic Mastocytosis by clinical diagnosis and treatment.  I also know there are others with Masto that have Uticaria Pigmentosa or UP for short or skin form called Cutaneous Mastocytosis. Masto short for Mastocytosis.  This is just something else you could look up and hopefully rule out.  Also Histamine releases could cause these reactions but I also have the releases during a Masto. attack which leads to shock for me, not everyone is the same.  I hope you find out what you have, I know diagnosis can be hard.  Maybe you will find the right treatment and the diagnosis later.  I see a internal medicine doctor and have been to many kinds of dr.'s.  Good Luck, Crystal
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Avatar universal
There is something called Neuropathy. Also I went to the hospital years back with this symptom it lasted weeks.  they called it something basically meant itching but a techincal word.(Parasthesias just remembered) I had wondered if it was a type of Uticaria because I am now diagnosed with Systemic Mastocytosis and some people have the Uticaria Pigmentosa with Masto. I also take Zyrtec don't stop taking it even if we don't have exactly the same thing. If it is working then let it, I test mine sometimes and well I shouldn't. I also take 600mg of Zantac and 20 mg of Zyrtec.  If you symptoms get more heart related like going into Shock, your dr. can always prescribe you an EPI pen.
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97615 tn?1212678589
Thanks for the feed back, I will definitely address the liver thing w/ my dr.
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97615 tn?1212678589
I am allergic to everything!!!  Molds, dust, grass, trees..you name it.  It sucks!!  I asked my obgyn yesterday while i was in her office and she said that since my immune system is low during pregnancy that my body's ability to produce its own antihistamine is low as well.  It doesnt solve my problem but at least there is kind of an explanation.  Do you think it could still be relative to my liver???
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Avatar universal
That explanation seems possible, but a blood test of your liver enzymes is risk free, and would at least give you peace of mind. Your Dr. should be willing to test your liver enzymes(ALT, AST, and bilirubin) if you ask. Personally, I've learned that some Dr.'s need a little push to get moving.
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Avatar universal
You are obviously allergic to something. Have you changed laundry products recently? At least this means that it is less likely to be something serious.
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97615 tn?1212678589
thanks to everyone, i just wanted to say that this rash isnt constant and comes on and off.  well, i had noticed i forgot to take my zyrtec for two nites and this happened.  I went back to taking the zyrtec and i have had no symptoms.  obviously something is happening inside but it is controlled by an antihistamine.  Does this narrow my search for what could be wrong???
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Avatar universal
Some people are actually "allergic" to being pg. In other words, your body does strange thing while you're pregnant that it would not normally do, and don't happen to most other pg women. You should however get your liver enzymes checked, because generalized itching can be a sign of liver trouble. Don't get too worried, but don't be slow about it either. Good luck.
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Avatar universal
You should check with your OB doctor.  Sometimes the body can do some pretty strange things when your pregnant.  Maybe they would have an idea of what is going on.  Either way, you should let them know.  Good luck!
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Avatar universal
i don't know how long you have had the rash, but i had a total body rash similar to what u r describing. the allergist and hospital didnt know what it was, gave me steroids to control the inflammation/itching but it didnt work. i then went to a dermatologist and he did a biopsy and determined it was a rash caused by a virus that was carried by a mosquito. the only thing i could do to relieve it was but sarna lotion on it and spend some a few minutes in the sun daily to help it dry out. it took about 6 weeks to go away. other than being uncomfortable and embarrassing, i am happy to say it left no scarring.

good luck
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