Sunday, February 12, 2012

Andrew Tunnicliffe
Friday, November 28, 2008 Andrew Tunnicliffe asks

Q: Exercise induced hives

I am a 46 year old male who likes to run long distance. Problem is I get hives which can last for 2/3 days after running. I have been prescribed with fexofenadine but that just doesnt seem to work on its own. The combined use of fexofenadine and Cemetidine does seem to have a positive impact. I have read around the combined use but would like to know more about whey the cemetidine works and is there any relationship to the apparent gastro  problems associated with hard exercise etc

 

Would really appreciate a view

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Kathleen MacNaughton
Kathleen MacNaughton
11/30/08 11:19pm

Hi Andrew,

 

This was a fascinating question and I ended up learning something entirely new, which is always fun. Although I know that asthma and GERD are closely related, I was surprised to hear that fexofenadine, the generic name for Allegra, was sometimes used with Cimetidine, AKA Tagamet, to treat allergy-related hives.

 

What I found out is that a condition called chronic urticaria, an allergic-like reaction of the skin to a usually harmless substance that is a result of an overreaction of an immune system substance called histamine, can be triggered by flushing of the skin, which would be likely when running. Hives are the symptom of this urticaria.

 

And chronic urticaria, which is what I assume you have, is treated with antihistamines, including fexofenadine. These antihistamines block H1 receptors in the immune system to control the allergic reaction. But that treatment is not always sufficient. In such cases, an H2 blocker such as cimetidine or rantidine may be added to treatment. The combination of the two types of immune system blockers may provide better relief.

 

Hope that helps,

Kathi

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Kathleen MacNaughton
Kathleen MacNaughton
11/30/08 11:25pm

Just to add to the previous answer... Although H2 blockers were originally developed, they act on the body in similar ways to H1 blockers. H1 blockers, though, are specialized to treat allergic conditions, while H2 blockers are specialized to treat excess stomach acid secretion. Both conditions are mediated by histamine, so that it is the common denominator.

 

I wasn't sure what you were referring to when you mentioned GI problems and exercise being related. GERD and asthma are linked, and since exercise-induced asthma is a form of asthma, then that may be what you are referring to?

 

If you still need further information, feel free to post a comment here or a new question and I'll take another stab at it, OK?

 

Thanks,

Kathi

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mox
mox
4/20/10 9:30am

I have been dealing with this myself for many years. I have been running for about 8 years now. I am 41 and I only get hives when I seem to over due it a bit, like I push myself for a long run during marathon training. The weird thing for me is I do not get the hives right away. They usually do not come on until the next day and not until I take a shower. I have seen a doc and no one has been able to help.

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