Three bottles of Red Horse beer made me prance around and dance like a horse on the loose. I felt like dancing like it was my last (although it has really been some time since I last did). To my surprise, I got all itchy from my waist up after a while. I know it was not because of the alcohol, it was something else.

Cholinergic urticaria is the culprit.

I feel bad for being allergic with sudden increases in body temperature--to think that we live in a really hot country. In short, I am allergic to heat (or when I am literally in heat?). I remember joining Thursday High (the jogging group organized by Patrick Ostrea), lifting some weights and having the airconditioning unit shut down suddently and getting all hive-y afterwards. That is why I was not very much shocked when the same thing happened to me tonight after dancing and giving an all-out performance in front of drunk people.

Taking a cool bath and some loratidine helps. However, I am not sure if it is safe for me to take in antihistamines with alcohol running in my veins. I guess I have to bear this feeling until it wears off. Ang kati!


I am not a doctor, but here are some telltale signs if you have cholinergic urticaria (thanks to the dubdubdub):

--Do you get hives (itchy rashes surrounded by red patches of skin... i.e. pantal) after sudden strenous activities? After hot showers? (My former housmate noticed that I was getting all rashy every time I take a bath. For a while I thought I was allergic to soap.)
--Do you have signs of keratosis pilaris or chicken skin (non-itchy ones), usually on the back of your biceps and/or your buttocks? (Yes, I now have an excuse for having year round goosebumps in those areas!).
--What about constant rhinitis? (Nose that runs even without colds and flu.)

Then you might be a candidate! Consult your family doctors right away. Di naman kayo siguro mamatay jan. (I'm not sure about that so please do not take my word for it).


... and I thought allergies were just for rich people. Dang!

tags: illness