I was diagnosed with Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria (CSU) and Angioedema back in March 2023. An allergy clinic diagnosed me. It was a doctor called Dr Bakshi, and he was brilliant. If you don’t know, Urticaria is a condition that causes hives.
You can find out more about urticaria with angioedema online.
How does Urticaria affect me?
It looks like an allergic reaction to something, like a dog, or even if you eat fish and you realize you’re allergic to that. But it’s not. How I understand it is that our bodies produce a certain amount of hormones and chemicals – namely histamine – that keep everything balanced. And if you have Urticaria, you’re a bit different. So, my body basically doesn’t do as good of a job when it comes to that.
I’m no doctor and have no qualifications in health in that regard, but that’s how I understand it. And so I have to take a high level of antihistamine every day, including Fexofenadine and Montelukast, otherwise I’d have a ‘flare up’. That flare up is what you’d call hives.
I’ve had 2 flare ups, and haven’t had one since March 2023 (hopefully no more), but generally, what happened to me was that I’d go very very red on my face, and my eyes, lips and cheeks would look incredibly swollen. I took pictures in my early days of the discovery journey to understanding what was going on. But I don’t think the internet needs to see those.
Running with hives is manageable
I can only speak for myself, but now I’m on my medication, running is manageable if you suffer from hives. Here’s a few things I’ve noticed about what helps keep things under control, even when I’m taking my medication regularly.
1. Dress for mile 2
I’ve seen other runners (whom I don’t know if they have this condition), also say this in general. But if you have urticaria, and so hives, dress for the second mile. Otherwise you can feel too warm quite quickly and you’re pretty uncomfortable. If your running gear isn’t overly loose and you’re too warm, plus you’re a hives sufferer, you might get quite itchy on the run, or at least trigger it for later that day. That’s what I experienced anyway.
2. Avoid tight running tops
Again this is personal preference, but in general I can’t wear tight clothing for too long at all. So if I wear a tight long sleeve black running top, I’m itchy at the end of the run. I’d try and find a short sleeved one if possible, and go a bit looser.
3. Properly cool down, with a cold shower
Stretch everywhere after a run. Here’s some good resources at Very Well Fit on stretching after a run. I like to remember that stretching is as important as your run itself. So don’t skimp out. Try to gently ease your legs and arms and body into stretches and feel your muscles cool down.
It’s so satisfying. You won’t feel as stiff and uncomfortable the next day and you’ll probably feel lighter a lot faster.
Then take a shower, and set it to cold. Or cool. It will feel so refreshing. If you suffer from urticaria like me, your body likely needs a bit of time to get back to normal.. But this helps.
If you are suffering, talk to your doctor is your first port of call. But I’m always happy to chat to anyone – runner or not – about CSU. Head to my Instagram @lifeofamissfit.
