Allergic to sweat

Being allergic to your own sweat is common. You may already have it. People with cholinergic urticaria develop a rash, usually within minutes of breaking into a sweat.

The bright red itchy rash can often cause a warm, tingling or burning sensation and can appear anywhere on the body, but is usually found on the trunk.

Anything which triggers sweating – exercise, hot baths, fever, stress or eating spicy foods – can cause it to appear.

In extreme cases, it can lead to anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction which can be life-threatening.

It is most common between the ages of 10 and 30, and in those who are already allergic or suffer from asthma or eczema.

Fortunately, the condition often becomes less severe or disappears after a few years. Other people may need medication.

If you think this is bad, spare a thought for those who suffer from a related but extremely rare condition, known as aquagenic urticaria. They develop a rash soon after water comes into contact with their skin. There are thought to be around 20 cases in the UK.

This article was published on Thu 19 November 2009