The Health Counsellor

Itching , burning and tingling of the skin after exercising and taking hot baths can be caused by a condition called “cholinergic urticaria.” This is a sensitivity to sweat or heat. Symptoms are sometimes followed by an itchy rash. This condition is more common in people with allergies, asthma and atopic dermatitis. The following are the reasons why you experience itching after bath

Dry skin plagues people of all ages but is particularly common in older people. Dry, irritated, itchy skin characterizes a number of skin diseases that are collectively referred to as eczema. Xerosis, also known as the winter itch, occurs most often during the dry, cold winter months, as a result of repeated wetting and drying without the use of moisturizer. Symptoms include dry, itchy, flaky, red skin, with painful cracking on the hands and feet.

Polycythemia vera (PV) is a disease of the bone marrow in which there is an overproduction of red blood cells. People with PV have “thicker”blood as a result of this disease process, which can cause various symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, visual changes, chest pain, bleeding, blood clots, enlarged liver and spleen, and a“ruddy” complexion (redness of the face). This condition can be ruled out by checking a simple blood count.

Hodgkin’s lymphoma is a cancer of the lymph nodes. People with this cancer have enlarged lymph nodes in the neck, armpits, groin, or within the chest. In addition to enlarged lymph nodes, Hodgkin’s lymphoma may cause entire body symptoms including weight loss, fever, night sweats, and itching. Hodgkin’s lymphoma can be screened for by performing X-rays to look for enlarged lymph nodes, or performing a biopsy on an enlarged lymph node.

Cholinergic urticaria is a form of hives that is caused by an increase in body temperature. Hives are caused by an increase in body temperature, such as hot showers, exercise, spicy foods, or being under too many covers in bed at night. Strong emotions may also cause hives to occur in people with cholinergic urticaria.

The hives in cholinergic urticaria are classically pinpoint in size, less than the size of a mosquito bite. These may group together, or coalesce, into larger hives over time. Occasionally, cholinergic urticaria can be associated with more severe symptoms, including asthma symptoms and low blood pressure. Cholinergic urticaria, like most other forms of urticaria, can often be treated easily with oral antihistamines .

Idiopathic aquagenic pruritus (IAP) is a rare condition that causes itching without a rash after a person’s skin comes into contact with water. IAP is likely caused by activation of the nervous system, with the release of various chemicals by nerves located within the skin after contact with water. Antihistamines seem to be helpful for some people, while a small study of six patients with IAP found treatment with a beta-blocker to be extremely helpful in treating symptoms.