Seeking Insight on Pressure Hives and Possible MCAS Connection
I’m a 35-year-old woman, standing 4 feet 10 inches tall and weighing 117 pounds. I don’t use drugs or alcohol and only occasionally smoke. Currently, my medications include four Allegra, four Pepcid, and 150 mg of Wellbutrin, plus I have a rescue inhaler on hand. I will provide images of my hives in the comments section. A few months ago, I began experiencing heartburn unexpectedly, an issue that felt new and not related to any particular foods in my intake. Initially, I thought it was simply a sign of aging. Shortly thereafter, I noticed recurring hives forming due to pressure, particularly from clothing items like the band of my bra, waistbands, and socks. One night, I woke to find the entire front of my body covered in a single, large hive from lying on my stomach. Interestingly, I’ve also discovered that I can write on my skin, which seems to reflect a condition known as dermatographia. After visiting my doctor, I was advised to take Allegra and Pepcid, which have provided some relief; however, I still experience occasional breakouts. When I exercise, especially during weightlifting, I often get hives on my palms, and my bra continues to be a trigger as well. There may be a connection to my struggles with intense cardio workouts—I frequently find it difficult to breathe, and my rescue inhaler doesn’t seem to aid me during these times. While the inhaler effectively alleviates my exercise-induced asthma, I still struggle with maintaining stamina during endurance activities. I plan to undergo lab tests soon but would appreciate any insights that might guide me in forming better questions for my doctor or identifying potential links to other symptoms I’m experiencing. I am aware that mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS) is labeled as a "trendy" condition, and I’m not particularly interested in an official diagnosis. My primary concern is finding effective treatment to rid myself of the hives, managing heartburn, and improving my breathing during training sessions. Thank you!
Answers (1)
7/7/2025, 1:50:48 PM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you're dealing with a complex set of symptoms, including pressure hives, heartburn, and challenges with breathing during exercise. Your concerns about mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS) and the need for effective management are completely valid. Let’s break this down and identify the main points and actionable steps.
Main Points:
- You are experiencing pressure hives, especially when wearing tight clothing or exercising.
- You have recently developed heartburn and have noticed challenges with breathing during certain activities.
- Management with Allegra and Pepcid has provided some relief, but symptoms persist.
Explanation:
Pressure hives, known as physical urticaria, can be triggered by exercises or clothing that apply pressure to the skin. Conditions like dermatographia indicate heightened skin sensitivity, which could relate to mast cell activation, but definitive diagnoses can vary widely and require careful evaluation.
Heartburn, particularly when it appears suddenly, can be due to several factors including stress, dietary changes, or gastrointestinal reflux. Difficulty breathing during workouts could be linked to exercise-induced asthma, but it’s essential to explore whether these symptoms are interconnected.
Prioritized Next Steps:
-
Symptom Tracking: Keep a detailed diary over the next couple of weeks, noting when your hives appear, any triggers (food, clothing, activities), your heartburn experiences, and your breathing difficulties. This will help you and your doctor identify patterns and potential correlations between symptoms.
-
Medication Review: Discuss with your doctor the current dosages of Allegra and Pepcid. Sometimes, adjustments or alternatives might provide better management. Make sure to mention how often you’re experiencing symptoms despite the medication.
-
Breathing Techniques: Consider incorporating breathing exercises or techniques into your routine, especially if you are engaging in higher intensity workouts. This might help manage your breathing challenges during training sessions.
-
Evaluate Clothing Choices: Since your hives are triggered by pressure, consider wearing looser fitting clothing during workouts and throughout the day to minimize flare-ups and monitor any changes in your symptoms.
-
Diet and Lifestyle: Since heartburn has become a new issue, assess your diet for potential triggers such as acidic foods, caffeine, or high-fat meals. Avoiding large meals before workouts can also help manage heartburn symptoms.
-
Prepare for Medical Visits: Write down any specific questions for your doctor regarding possible connections between your symptoms. Inquire about potential testing for MCAS, and how it might relate to your overall management strategy.
By taking these steps, you’ll gain clearer insights into managing your symptoms effectively and improving your quality of life. Let me know if you’d like more specific information on any of the steps!
Related Questions
Concerns About My Eye Discoloration?
I am a 26-year-old woman in generally good health. I would appreciate your input regarding some photos I will post in the comments. Do my eyes appear to be in a normal state, or could the discoloration indicate jaundice or another issue? I first noticed a yellowish tint on the sclera (the white part of my eyes) about a month ago; it’s more pronounced along the edges and underneath where the skin typically covers. Additionally, I've recently observed a blue tinge on the whites of my eyes as well! I had an appointment with an ophthalmologist back in December, and everything seemed fine at that time, apart from a slight vision impairment. I am not experiencing any other health concerns. Thank you for your help!
30-Year-Old Female with RUQ Discomfort and Digestive Issues - Possible Gallbladder Concerns?
Hello everyone, I’m a 30-year-old female from the UK. I’m currently taking mirtazapine and thyroxine, and I do not consume alcohol. For the past few months, I've been contending with several troubling symptoms: - Intense pain in the right upper quadrant, which occasionally radiates to my back. - Frequent nausea and vomiting, particularly after consuming fatty meals. - Daily occurrences of steatorrhea, characterized by pale, greasy stools that tend to float. - One particularly severe episode resulted in extreme RUQ tenderness upon examination, leading to a visit to Accident & Emergency where I was given IV antibiotics. - There has been some slight, temporary relief when adhering to a low-fat diet. Here's a summary of the tests conducted and their results so far: - Faecal elastase levels were measured at 1138, indicating normal pancreatic function. - Calprotectin levels returned normal. - Liver function tests revealed: - GGT was mildly elevated yet categorized as “normal” (65). - ALT and ALP levels have shown an upward trend over time. - During my A&E visit, my eGFR was noted to have dropped to 53 but later returned to approximately 88. - An ultrasound of the gallbladder showed normal results with no stones detected, although it’s unclear if the gallbladder’s functionality was evaluated. - I am still awaiting results from some blood tests, including thyroid autoantibodies and a blood film. Currently, there is no follow-up plan or guidance provided. I’m seeking suggestions or advice on how to proceed and what questions I should ask during my next appointment.
Seeking Insight on Vascular Surgery Outcome
I am reaching out for advice regarding my father’s recent medical experience. He is a 79-year-old Caucasian male in relatively good health aside from persistent back pain, which affects his mobility. He does not have diabetes or heart conditions, but he experiences issues with cholesterol and blood pressure—though these are well managed with medication. Last June, we went through a series of medical clearances in preparation for a possible stenting procedure. This involved two imaging sessions that revealed a tortuous iliac artery, necessitating access from his right side. During our discussions with the vascular surgeon, she assured us that this approach was acceptable. However, on the day of the surgery, following sedation, the surgical team attempted to access from the left side. They soon discovered that they were unable to proceed due to the iliac composition, which contradicted their earlier assessment that access from the right was required. It appears that either the surgeon overlooked or failed to communicate this crucial detail, resulting in the cancellation of the procedure. He was brought out of sedation and instructed to reschedule the surgery. I suspect the surgeon did not thoroughly review his imaging prior to the operation. This incident has raised several concerns, as the postponement means we now have to redo all necessary imaging and cardio evaluations. Additionally, my father has begun experiencing new symptoms including pain and a feeling of heaviness in both legs, which have exacerbated his existing mobility problems. The latest ultrasounds show significant new findings that were not addressed by the surgeon; she merely noted that the right aneurysm has not enlarged and that the stent procedure is still viable. I was not present at the appointment, and it is troubling that no mention was made of the new data during the consultation. Given these circumstances, should we consider seeking a second opinion or directly reach out to the surgeon to discuss the new imaging results? Your guidance would be greatly appreciated!
Unexplained Illness and Potential Misdiagnosis
My sister, a 28-year-old woman without prior health concerns, has been suffering from a serious illness for the last few months, and medical professionals have been unable to determine the cause of her condition. **Chronology of Events:** - **April 18:** We traveled to Pakistan. She experienced food poisoning accompanied by diarrhea, a common ailment among tourists. Unfortunately, she mistakenly ingested two Flagyl tablets instead of Imodium. - Shortly thereafter, she began to feel a tingling sensation in her hands and a sense that her breathing was irregular. - **April 20 (Sunday, local time):** Around 1 PM, she experienced heart palpitations and shortness of breath, with this episode lasting approximately an hour. Such incidents started to occur every two days. - **April 25 (Sunday):** At 7 PM, she had another episode with identical symptoms but at about 80% intensity compared to her worst case. - **April 26 (Saturday, Qatar time):** While on the final leg of our flight at around 6 AM, she felt chest constriction and struggled to breathe, unable to even drink water. Paramedics assessed her vital signs; everything appeared normal except for slightly elevated blood pressure. - **April 27 (Sunday, UK time):** At 2 AM, she woke up again unable to drink water and experienced similar symptoms at about 80% effectiveness. By 3 PM, she faced the same issues alongside head pressure, difficulty breathing, and light-headedness. - **April 28 (Monday):** She continued to feel unwell, finding any breathlessness made it challenging to speak or walk without feeling faint. She claimed it felt like her body was slowing down significantly. **Following Weeks:** Her symptoms have lingered for several months, initially labeled as a viral infection by her general practitioner, who suggested waiting two weeks. When there was no improvement, they attributed it to anxiety. As a psychologist, she recognized the signs of anxiety and affirmed that her current feelings didn’t align with anxiety. She has not experienced stress recently, and panic episodes typically do not last for days. Although she sought help from psychiatrists at her workplace as recommended, there was no progress in her condition. Recently, her symptoms have intensified. Over the past three months, she called for an ambulance three times during severe episodes, with ECG readings and vital signs always returning to a normal state. Frustrated, she stopped calling for help and began to endure the episodes. **This Week (Early July):** - The hot weather in London seemed to exacerbate her condition. What once varied between good and bad days has turned into nearly nine consecutive bad days. - She finds her breathing becomes difficult when lying on her left side or back. - Any movement or eating induces discomfort, with persistent tightness in her chest and feelings of dizziness as if she might faint. - After calling emergency services again, she was transported to the hospital where they suggested a blood test for cardiac markers. - Test results showed modestly elevated white and red blood cell counts, but nothing of clinical significance was noted. Her hemoglobin levels were normal; she had been taking iron supplements since her first GP visit post-travel. She was subsequently discharged. She underwent a private 7-day Holter monitor test, with results anticipated within 24 to 48 hours. **Two Days Later (July 5):** - Her neck became swollen and soft to the touch, visibly enlarged, accompanied by increasing jaw pain. - After contacting health services again, she was advised to return to the hospital. There, a doctor concluded it was sinusitis and prescribed penicillin four times daily. Despite this treatment, she has not noticed any improvement, although we understand that antibiotic effects may take time to manifest. Additionally, we have doubts about a previous allergic reaction that occurred two weeks before her initial symptoms. She had taken an acne relief tablet from Holland & Barrett and had a severe allergic reaction. The ingredients included burdock root, which has been noted to cause anaphylactic-like responses in a subset of users. She was treated with an antihistamine and recovered from that incident. We welcome any advice and are grateful for any insights as we continue to seek answers for her condition.
Understanding the Link Between Crying and Nerve Pain
I’m not entirely sure if this is the appropriate place for my question, so I’ll ask anonymously. I’m a 20-year-old male, and while I don’t cry frequently, there are those late-night moments where emotions get the better of me. I’ve realized that when I do shed tears, it’s more of a controlled experience rather than an intense outburst; just a few tears surface. However, during these moments, I experience a distinct, sharp pain that seems to radiate from the palms of my hands. If I continue crying, this discomfort intensifies, and I even start to feel it in the soles of my feet. Often, I end up stopping my tears due to the pain, which, interestingly enough, also tends to diminish once I stop. This has been a recurring issue for me, but I’m starting to wonder whether it stems from psychological factors or is simply a physical response related to the act of crying. My searches online haven’t yielded much insight into this phenomenon. Does anyone have an explanation for why this occurs?