Some people don't exercise not because they are lazy, but because they are allergic to exercise

Some people don't exercise not because they are lazy, but because they are allergic to exercise

Recently, a news report about a 13-year-old boy who developed itchy rashes all over his body after playing basketball and was eventually diagnosed with "sports allergy" sparked discussion among netizens.

The doctor diagnosed that the boy was suffering from cholinergic urticaria, also known as exercise-induced allergy.

So what is exercise allergy? How to determine if you have exercise allergy? Can you continue to exercise if you are diagnosed with exercise allergy?

01

What is "exercise allergy"?

Exercise allergy is medically known as cholinergic urticaria, which is caused by increased core body temperature due to hot water, physical exercise or emotional stress. Itchy rash and erythema appear after sweating . In severe cases, angioedema, respiratory symptoms or allergic reactions may occur.

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Specifically, it is caused by the following two situations:

1. Any factors that cause the body temperature to rise or the skin to sweat, such as strenuous exercise, hot baths, wearing thick clothes, and changing from a low temperature environment to a high temperature environment, may cause the patient to experience symptoms.

2. Emotional excitement, tension, eating hot or spicy food. Symptoms often last for about 1 hour, and symptoms can be relieved quickly in a cool environment such as an air-conditioned room.

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Exercise allergy is more common in men aged 20 to 29, and its prevalence gradually decreases with age. According to Dr. Tao Xiaohua, director of the Department of Dermatology at Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, it is not uncommon in clinical practice, but many people do not pay attention to it. It is due to the resistance of the immune system of the athlete to the intense activity, which manifests a series of adverse reactions in various aspects of the body, and exercise allergy is normal before exercise without any precursors. Generally, about 20 to 30 minutes after strenuous exercise (varies from person to person), diffuse erythema and small wheals appear on the trunk and upper limbs.

Generally speaking, increased skin temperature, flushing, widespread itching, urticaria, and sudden fatigue are early symptoms of "exercise allergy".

If these symptoms continue after exercise, the following situations may occur:

Angioedema of the face/limbs (usually the hands): This is localized edema in one part of the body caused by an allergy;

Gastrointestinal symptoms: including nausea, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea;

Laryngeal edema (congestion and swelling of the laryngeal mucosa);

Hypotension/circulatory collapse (reduced blood flow throughout the body, causing ischemia and hypoxia of vital organs);

Shock or sudden death. A very small number of patients with anaphylactic shock may experience bronchospasm, headache, etc.

Therefore, it is recommended to stop exercising immediately if allergic symptoms occur.

02

How to determine whether it is "exercise allergy"?

Some netizens said: They also feel terribly itchy when running. Is this an exercise-induced allergy?

This depends on the specific situation:

If you don't exercise for too long, your blood circulation will be poor, your pores will shrink and sweat cannot be discharged immediately, which will also cause skin itching.

If your skin is already dry and itchy, exercise speeds up blood circulation, increases body temperature, and can aggravate the itching.

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When the human body exercises, the metabolism speeds up and toxins are excreted along with sweat. At the same time, salt that is irritating to the skin is also excreted along with sweat. These will irritate the skin and cause itching.

The above are all normal physiological reactions. However, if papules and itching appear, the papules will gradually disappear on their own when the body temperature drops. This situation is most likely cholinergic urticaria.

In specific diagnosis, when the symptoms are atypical or need to be differentiated from other types of urticaria, a provocative test can be considered, soaking the body in 42°C hot water for 15 minutes to observe whether typical symptoms appear.

03

If I am diagnosed with exercise allergy, can I continue to exercise?

Many people expressed concern for boys: What should we do about the physical education test for children in the high school entrance examination?

So, if you are diagnosed with motion allergy, can you still exercise?

You can exercise, but before the symptoms are effectively controlled, it is recommended to avoid exercise as much as possible, especially strenuous exercise, long-term exercise, frequent exercise, etc. After the condition is relieved, you can first do mild exercise, such as Tai Chi, slow walking, etc.

The best way is to work with your doctor to determine the triggers of your allergic reaction so that you can develop an exercise plan that is more suitable for you.

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At the same time, in terms of diet, avoiding spicy, irritating, overheated foods and drinks, and avoiding drinking alcohol can reduce the onset of cholinergic urticaria.

In daily activities, factors that cause sweating and increased body temperature should be avoided. Patients with frequent and severe symptoms should avoid saunas, hot tubs, exercise, etc., and should also avoid emotional excitement.

Source: Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Xinhuanet, Economic Daily-China Economic Net

Compiled by: Dang Min

Editor: Guru