Associated symptoms
The symptoms of a sweat allergy are almost indistinguishable from a skin reaction of a real allergy: Here, too, those affected usually notice a reddened, warm, itchy and touch-sensitive skin. The itchy wheals, which are often formed by sweat, are particularly typical for the sweat allergy and thus also give the technical term “cholinergic urticaria” its name. Urticaria refers to the formation of wheals on the skin and is also known as hives. Characteristic for the symptoms is the occurrence in connection with sweat, for example on warm days or during sports.
This is what the rash looks like
The typical skin reaction in allergies is a so-called wheal, i.e. reddish or white looking, raised skin areas. These are usually quite clearly separated from the healthy skin, but can occur in a confluent fashion, provided the affected skin area is larger. This skin reaction is also known as hives.
The medical term for hives is urticaria, which is why we also speak of cholinergic urticaria in the case of a sweat allergy, even if the sweat allergy is not an allergy in the actual sense, but a so-called pseudoallergy. An allergic urticaria then occurs on contact with the allergy-causing substance, i.e. sweat. For a diagnosis it can therefore be a helpful hint to localize the places where the hives are visible and to connect them with the typically sweating parts of the body.
Treatment
Although the causal mechanism of a pseudoallergy is different from that of a real allergy, both usually lead to the same effect, namely the release of inflammatory molecules. Histamine is one of the most important of these, and leukotrienes and prostaglandins are also involved in the reaction. These molecules then cause the visible skin reaction in the case of a sweat allergy.Symptoms can therefore be relieved by taking conventional antihistamines.
The drug Ketotifen, which is also used to treat many other allergic reactions, is particularly well proven in chronic urticaria. Those who like to experiment can try to neutralize the acidic environment on the skin by dissolving sodium bicarbonate in water. A spray bottle with a solution of water and bicarbonate of soda can help provide rapid relief.
It should be noted that an excessively alkaline (i.e. basic) environment is also irritating to the skin – so do not exaggerate! Apart from drug therapy, as with almost all illnesses, the appropriate lifestyle adjustment remains, in order to prevent outbreaks of sweat allergy. This includes, for example, abstaining from alcohol, as this increases the level of histamine in the blood by blocking histamine-degrading enzymes.
Also the renunciation or reduction of histamine-containing food can help. Foods containing histamine include meat, cheese, black tea and hot spices. As for many other complaints, sweat allergy is also improved by stress reduction.
A sweat allergy on the feet can reduce the quality of life, especially in summer or during sports. Here, care should first be taken to ensure that the footwear is as breathable as possible, while completely closed shoes should be avoided. If this does not alleviate the symptoms sufficiently, a sweat-blocking deodorant can help (Attention: these deodorants usually contain aluminum!).
A cool footbath with baking soda as a bath additive also usually relieves hives. The last option is, as always, drug treatment with antihistamines. There are naturally more sweat glands in the armpits than in other parts of the body.
Logically, therefore, they are prone to develop the symptoms of a sweat allergy, such as a skin rash. A deodorant that closes the sweat glands at this point can help here. A newer treatment method is the removal of the sweat glands with the help of a laser, as is also the case with excessive sweating.
A sweat allergy on the scalp is often more difficult to diagnose, as the scalp hair usually makes it difficult to diagnose the typical rash. However, other indications of a sweat allergy on the scalp may also be an indication, such as when the symptoms increase if a headgear is worn and the affected person sweats more on the head as a result. The itchy wheals can also become noticeable on the face when sweating.
Since hives are quickly visible to everyone here, the level of suffering of the affected person is usually very high. Taking an antihistamine is therefore probably the simplest and most effective way. Most of the active substances of this type are available without a prescription from a pharmacy, but here the pharmacist should be asked about possible side effects and interactions with other drugs. Cold water can also have an acute decongestant and anti-itching effect. A doctor can be consulted if the symptoms are severe.
