Urticaria vs BDSM - any ideas?

[liberatedslave]

I've always been a very allergic person with athsma, pet/dust/pollen/food allergies, eczma & rhinitis. The last few years my skin has become a real problem & I've just been diagnosed with urticaria, a condition where the skin cells kick out fluid & histamine, causing itchy welts after any form of spanking, scratching or even just friction. I have new tablets & cream but was wondering if anyone else has had this particular problem?

 

[MasterPhoenix]

I have never heard of it before, but will be following this thread to learn.

 

[Etoile]

I have chronic urticaria. Mine is caused by an allergy to the Immunoglobulin-E present in my blood, to put it succinctly I am allergic to myself...it is considered an autoimmune condition. I take four different anti-allergy medications to control the symptoms, which is the only option since I can't exactly avoid the thing I'm allergic to. My medications are managed by a doctor in South Carolina who is the top doc in the country for urticaria, his name is Allen Kaplan. I've suffered with this since February 1999, you can read more about my experiences here, although that was written back in 2004. There are some resources for CU people at the end of that article...if you haven't already found the ICUS you might want to join (there's a link on the page I mentioned). You can also see pictures of my hives from a link on that page.

As for urticaria with BDSM, I occasionally have problems with it. One rule that my Daddy and I have is that I am always allowed to scratch an itch if I need to. If I'm tied up I am allowed to ask em to scratch and tell him where it is needed. As I'm sure you know, it's not the same as just any itch - you cannot help scratching it.

My CU also prevents me from corset training, which is something Daddy and I were both really interested in me doing. I tried tightlacing for about three months on a daily basis and the hives were just too overwhelming - I had to quit for health reasons.

As for spanking, I haven't had that particular problem. I do sometimes get hives along the lines where I've been whipped, although they're not usually a problem while it's still going on. I also get hives around scratch marks (I have a recent cat scratch on my hand right now with a hive around it), but I try not to let them bother me. The meds I'm on only do a certain amount to control the CU anyway, so after 8 years I am pretty used to having some hives every day. A few spankings, whippings, or scratches aren't usually enough to make a difference, to make me really miserable.

I would recommend that you get familiar with your urticaria first. Find out what triggers it - for me, if I am under stress (good or bad), the hives get worse. Also, if I am sick, my hives get worse (body is busy fighting being sick). Find out for yourself what medication helps and if the cream you have is helpful. Zonalon cream (prescription strength) was pretty helpful to me. You can buy Benadryl anti-itch spray OTC, it is very good but doesn't last long from what I have experienced. Get to know yourself and your condition, and at that point you will have learned how to handle occasional increases in symptoms like that which comes from being spanked or scratched.

I have been dealing with this for many years now, so feel free to ask me any questions you have, either on the board or via PM.

 

[liberatedslave]

Thankyou for your experiences Etoile, I read the link you posted and saw your pictures. I had cases of hives like yours (although not as widespread) a while ago and was misdiagnosed as having 'numulus eczma' which cost me a few months fruitlessly using the wrong meds and creams. I'm not familiar with any of the drug names you mentioned. I'm in the UK so the names probably aren't the same.

My urticaria is caused by allergies rather than an auto-immune problem. I have longstanding allergies as I said in the OP. For the most part I'm avoiding my triggers and my diet is currently very restricted. BDSM though is a trigger that I don't want to have to avoid.

I have had urticaria for years, it's just the diagnosis that's recent so I know my triggers and have adopted coping strategies. I never touch furry animals (not counting my Sir) I vacuum dust regularly, I avoid smokey pubs etc.

The problems BDSMwise have been that when Sir spanks me, although I can tolerate it without any trouble at the time, the spank marks have turned into raised welts. For this reason we've not progressed with whips or paddles. If Sir scratches or bites my skin, hives form afterward. Although they go down after a few hours they are SO itchy. I recently wore a pair of soft, leather cuffs for about twenty minutes and that was long enough to form raised, red itchy welts around my wrists.

Sir is careful of my skin and cream is always part of his aftercare to me but I do feel that it's holding us back from trying new things, which is of course frustrating. I'm sure in time I'll develop better coping strategies but it's nice to get some input and to feel less 'alone' with it all.

Anyway, thanks again for your advice and for such a frank and open link. It's put my symptoms into perspectine, which is always a good thing. I'm glad that your hives are now managed so well. You have my sincere respect and sympathy for suffering so long before you saw the californian doctor.

 

[liberatedslave]

BUMP

Just in case anyone had any thoughts to add.

 

[graceanne]

I did a bit of research on urticaria, cause I was curious how it's different than what I know as hives, and quite franky it seems the same to me. The pictures I saw are the same as the hives I get when I'm stressed out. I also get them when I wear nickel (like on rings and stuff). When I get scratched by my cats it get really inflamed and itchy, so who knows? I know it doesn't do that to my kids or my husband, but quite frankly I have a weird body so I didn't think anything of it.

I've also had problems with being itchy after K's used the belt or anything else that'll make a welt. We found that him rubbing aloe vera gel in my skin IMMEDIATELY after we're done really helps. Plus it feels good, since I keep the aloe vera gell in the 'fridge.

 

[liberatedslave]

That's a good tip. I have cream that i use during aftercare. Sir mostly just spanks me with his hand which does the least damage to my skin (except for the odd backhander ). I have also found that i get more than one type of hive. Those caused by contact with pets are darker & more raised with a definite border whereas those from spanks & scratches are larger, red, itchy areas of skin without a border that can be clearly seen. They go down after a time if i DO NOT scratch. Good thing i'm a masochist.

 

[Etoile]

I did a bit of research on urticaria, cause I was curious how it's different than what I know as hives, and quite franky it seems the same to me. The pictures I saw are the same as the hives I get when I'm stressed out. I also get them when I wear nickel (like on rings and stuff). When I get scratched by my cats it get really inflamed and itchy, so who knows? I know it doesn't do that to my kids or my husband, but quite frankly I have a weird body so I didn't think anything of it.

I've also had problems with being itchy after K's used the belt or anything else that'll make a welt. We found that him rubbing aloe vera gel in my skin IMMEDIATELY after we're done really helps. Plus it feels good, since I keep the aloe vera gell in the 'fridge.

You're quite right, gracie, urticaria is just another word for hives. What you're describing is acute urticaria: it shows up and then goes away, is often localized to one area, and you know what caused it. With chronic urticaria, it never goes away - not a day goes by without hives. It is usually systemic, meaning all over the body, and 9 times out of 10 you don't know the cause at ALL. I was lucky that we found out what the cause of mine was...there are many CU sufferers who simply never know. Of course it took a $300 trip to South Carolina and a $700 doctor's appt (out of pocket) to find out, but still...it's comforting knowing the cause.

I like the aloe vera tip, that's a good one! I think cold gel is wonderful on hives. I have some anti-itch gel, I should put it in the fridge!

 

[D's mariposa]

Mine comes and goes with stress, too, and tends to be mostly where there's something constricting me or rubbing into me. IE: my wedding ring, the underwires in the bra I don't wear anymore, sometimes the band of my bra. I don't react to impact play as much as some people have mentioned, though. I have no problem with being flogged, but my wrists and ankles may break out if I'm bound during the flogging.

Mine also tends to fluctuate according to what the rest of my allergies are doing. If the Orange Blossoms are in bloom, my skin uber sensitive. Sunlight will give me hives on my face and hands. Mr Dr says it's because my body is pumping out the histamines and other allergen related chemical at an obscene rate.

 

[Evil_Geoff]

Wow.... [/hijack mode on] Etoile, if you have to come visit Dr. Kaplan again, let me know. If y'all don't come through Columbia, I'd be willing to come to Charleston (and bring janey along) to meet you and yours... [/hijack mode off]

 

[Etoile]

Wow.... [/hijack mode on] Etoile, if you have to come visit Dr. Kaplan again, let me know. If y'all don't come through Columbia, I'd be willing to come to Charleston (and bring janey along) to meet you and yours... [/hijack mode off]

That would be awesome! I hope I don't have to see him again, but if I do I will let you know. The closest I expect to be anytime soon is Raleigh in late May. Charleston is lovely, I have been there one other time, on a cruise in 2004.

 

[catalina_francisco]

The itches are the bane of my life and are there in some form or another nearly every day of the year. I can get them from slapping and also flogging, get them from bondage (even the cotton ropes we use only less so), jewelry which is not gold, lace against my skin, the thread used to sew seams in many manufactured clothes especially underwear items, and stress just makes it come up quicker and more severe and often without a clear reason. I haven't found many applications which stop the itching totally and lessen the welts though soaking with ice cold wet tea bags sometimes helps a little, as well as a natural Oz preparation you can bath in or dab on the areas. Of course the best has been Pawpaw ointment which can relieve itching and makes burns disappear almost instantly amongst other things. Antihistamines are my last resort mainly because I hate the way they make me feel the next day, and if I take them too regularly, they begin to lose their effectiveness. Ice has also sometimes calmed it down a little. Is not a nice thing to live with and F is even worse than me in that he has it constantly and though Pawpaw helps, he hates the feel of it and it still doesn't cure the problem permanently.

Catalina

 

[Etoile]

There's more information about what is and is not chronic urticaria at the ICUS website:
http://www.chronichives.com/pages/whatis.htm

Mine is the #2 type of autoimmune urticaria listed, autoantibodies against IgE, which translates to "allergic to a component of your own blood." Unfortunately there are many, many people who will remain idiopathic for as long as they have the disease. In many cases it springs up out of the blue - mine developed in 1999, when I was 18 years old, and I had never been allergic to anything before! Dr. Kaplan told me that almost all people with chronic autoimmune urticaria have it disappear by 10 years. Honestly I don't think mine is ever going to disappear, and there are many people on the ICUS forum who have had it for much longer. I had to leave that site because there was so much negative energy...when I was really bad, missing work because of it, being sent home if I did go to work, and sometimes unable to walk or leave the house, it was a blessing to find people who were going through what I was. But since 2002 my symptoms are at about 25% of what they were at their worst, so I just didn't need that website anymore.

Catalina, a lot of people are like you in terms of preferring natural treatment for their hives. If you look at the ICUS website (linked to above) and/or the list, you will find all kinds of suggestions...change in diet, special diets, herbal remedies, all kinds of stuff. In my experience it is mostly the people who are 100% idiopathic who try these routes. For me, the only way I can survive on a daily basis is with four different antihistamine medications, so even though I hate being on so many pills, and it's a huge expense and a pain in the neck...it's a necessary evil. If I stop them, the hives come back within a couple days.

liberatedslave, you might want to ask on the ICUS list for ideas, too. I have no idea how you'd phrase it...maybe you can say you ride horses and bouncing in the saddle gives you problems?! I'm not sure what you could say, but there are people there with way more experience in this than I have, so they may in fact have good suggestions for you.

 

[graceanne]

Speaking of hives . . . the freaken sun was out today and now I have the beginnings of blisters and stuff on my arms. IT'S FUCKING JANUARY! I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THE SUN!

And the main reason I started keeping the aloe vera gel in the fridge is for when someone burns themselves. That way we've got a double wammy, cold on the burn, and aloe vera gel. It wasn't till years later that I realized how awesome it feels on welts. And etoile? *hugs* I'm sorry you're so itchy. When I was pregnant with A I had hives the whole freaken pregnancy, and I know how much it bugged me, I can't imagine knowing it'll never end.

 

[Etoile]

And etoile? *hugs* I'm sorry you're so itchy. When I was pregnant with A I had hives the whole freaken pregnancy, and I know how much it bugged me, I can't imagine knowing it'll never end.

Thank you gracie! To be honest I have gotten used to it. I used to cry and howl "why me?!" but I don't anymore. If it was terminal, then I'd be upset, but it's not going to kill me. My primary care doctor was nice enough to acknowledge recently that I know how to handle my own illness...usually she writes the prescriptions according to what the doc in South Carolina says. But this time I said "I want a prescription for prednisone for emergencies when the hives get intolerable" and she said "okay here you go." It was kind of nice to not be questioned on what will help!

 

[graceanne]

Thank you gracie! To be honest I have gotten used to it. I used to cry and howl "why me?!" but I don't anymore. If it was terminal, then I'd be upset, but it's not going to kill me. My primary care doctor was nice enough to acknowledge recently that I know how to handle my own illness...usually she writes the prescriptions according to what the doc in South Carolina says. But this time I said "I want a prescription for prednisone for emergencies when the hives get intolerable" and she said "okay here you go." It was kind of nice to not be questioned on what will help!

I hear that. The main thing I want from a primary is that they just take my word for it. I know when I need pain meds, I'm not a drug addict, I know when I need antibiotics, and I guarantee I won't take prednisone if I don't need to.

 

[liberatedslave]

Sun Graceanne? Here in the UK it's about to snow. The wind chaps my face & then central heating dries it out. *sigh*
I've checked the ICUS site but haven't posted yet. Like Etoile I'm on year round antihistamine & other drugs. I've avoided steroids so far except for emergencies during hayfever season.
The perpetualness of it all does get me down, especially in summer. It's really been a tonic to hear all your experiences.
*HUGS* all round i think

 

[liberatedslave]

The main thing I want from a primary is that they just take my word for it.

I totally agree. Sometimes my face & hands are ok & unless i strip for the doc they have to take my word that i'm serious about a particularly bad attack. My GP has been known to give me steroid injections which by rights i should have to drag my ass to the ER for.

 

[Etoile]

I totally agree. Sometimes my face & hands are ok & unless i strip for the doc they have to take my word that i'm serious about a particularly bad attack. My GP has been known to give me steroid injections which by rights i should have to drag my ass to the ER for.

That was why we took the pictures that are on my site...because we were afraid there wouldn't be anything to show the doc in South Carolina! Some days were better than others so we figured we'd take pics...that day I was at about 75% bad but we didn't get pictures on a day when I was really at my worst. (When it was at the worst, my body was more than 75% covered with hives, my hands were swollen, my feet were swollen and I couldn't walk, my eyes would be swollen shut, and my lips would be swollen...those were the 100% bad days.)

Of course I ended up having plenty of hives when we did go see the doctor! I remember we were in the hotel room in Charleston, and my hands were so itchy and swollen that I was in tears, and I was trying to just hold ice (from the ice machine) in my hands to numb them so I could get dressed, of course the ice melted fast, so I rubbed it all over trying to numb my whole hand...that was a bad day! *shudders*

Interesting that you get steroid injections! Whenever I would go to urgent care for intolerable hives, they would put me on a Medrol dose pack. It's a 6-day course of methylprednisone, it slams the body hard with a lot of steroids and then tapers off. It usually would get rid of the hives for a week, and when they came back they weren't as bad.

Like Etoile I'm on year round antihistamine & other drugs.

Whatcha got? If you are on Zyrtec, you might want to talk to your doctor about adding Zantac. Yes, it's a gastro-type medicine, but it's got blockers against the histamines too. That's the Z/Z combo you'll hear about from the ICUS group. I am on 200mg Atarax, 180mg Allegra, 40mg Accolate, and 8mg Periactin daily. I split it up into morning and night doses...it's a lot of pills!

It's really been a tonic to hear all your experiences.

It's funny...I am getting something out of telling it, too. I haven't talked about my CU in a long time, because it's just something I live with daily now, but I remember the days when I had forgotten what it was like to not be itchy and miserable every day...it became my natural state. So I definitely know where you are. **hugs**

BDSM board? What BDSM board?!

 

[graceanne]

Sun Graceanne? Here in the UK it's about to snow. The wind chaps my face & then central heating dries it out. *sigh*
I've checked the ICUS site but haven't posted yet. Like Etoile I'm on year round antihistamine & other drugs. I've avoided steroids so far except for emergencies during hayfever season.
The perpetualness of it all does get me down, especially in summer. It's really been a tonic to hear all your experiences.
*HUGS* all round i think

Yeah, the sun. It's a new one (allergy that is). I didn't even KNOW that people could be allergic to the sun, isn't that like being allergic to the water? I mean I'm allergic to something that I would die without. But it's evidently common in people with auto-immune disorders as severe as mine, and VERY common in those with lupus, which I don't have.

 

[Etoile]

Yeah, the sun. It's a new one (allergy that is). I didn't even KNOW that people could be allergic to the sun, isn't that like being allergic to the water? I mean I'm allergic to something that I would die without. But it's evidently common in people with auto-immune disorders as severe as mine, and VERY common in those with lupus, which I don't have.

If you're getting hives from it, then that's called solar urticaria. It's different from cholinergic urticaria, which is caused by the body being heated up - whether that's from it being hot outside, or exercising hard, or even taking a hot shower. And as for being allergic to water...it's called aquagenic urticaria.

 

[graceanne]

Sun Graceanne? Here in the UK it's about to snow. The wind chaps my face & then central heating dries it out. *sigh*
I've checked the ICUS site but haven't posted yet. Like Etoile I'm on year round antihistamine & other drugs. I've avoided steroids so far except for emergencies during hayfever season.
The perpetualness of it all does get me down, especially in summer. It's really been a tonic to hear all your experiences.
*HUGS* all round i think

I'm also on year round antihistamines. When I had insurance I got cortisone shots four times a year. With me it's my nasal allergies and asthma that causes the problems. I'm mostly allergic to dust and mold, so I can't escape. My nose runs 24/7, and that's on my meds. I have a script for zyrtec, which I can't afford, so I take claritin. I also have an albuterol inhaler, and a steroid inhaler (which I also can't afford). I still have two to three asthma attacks a week. ONe of the first things I'm gonna do if I get disability, and insurance, is get another damn cortosone shot, and fill my script for the steroid inhaler.

 

[graceanne]

If you're getting hives from it, then that's called solar urticaria. It's different from cholinergic urticaria, which is caused by the body being heated up - whether that's from it being hot outside, or exercising hard, or even taking a hot shower. And as for being allergic to water...it's called aquagenic urticaria.

See it could always be worse.

 

[brioche]

I am allergic to nickel and cobalt, and latex as well. But because I have had exczema and psoriasis issues since I was a child, as well as other allergic issues, it's always easy for me too look back and figure out what's caused the hives, and take prompt action.
When I was getting a huge hive on my butt from iron injiections (it was the size of the palm on my hand or bigger, depending on the week), I was told to take Benadryl and ibuprofen for a few days before exposure, and an additional dose an hour before the injection. Then I could theoretically continue this for four days after. But you try being dopey on Benadryl and teaching kindergarten. I was worried someone would get hurt.

I've had hives on various parts of my body from exposure to things with nickel in them. My Medic-Alert bracelet had to be made from natural silver, I can't use a lot of cosmetics, and I buy European jewelry because they tend to use other metals in the alloys for sterling sliver and gold.
Hydrocortisone cream can sometimes work well, but if there is any burning or tingling after application, the skin is too abraded and should be discontinued.

If necessary, I'd try the Benadryl before any big play sessions. You're not about to fall asleep then.

 

[Etoile]

Last night I was going through some old CD's without labels to see what was on them. I found a bunch of old hive pictures from 2001, so I added them into my hives gallery. Damn, looking through those and the ones from 2002 makes me SO glad it's not like that anymore. (Excuse the fuzzy legs...razors were the antichrist back then!)