Cholinergic Urticaria,Antihistamines and alcohol

[brockham]

Hello all.
I have recently self-diagnosed myself to have cholinergic urticaria as when ever i get extremely hot/excercise, i get a rash all up my arms and legs (but tends not to be itchy at all? weird?). ( Doctors appointment next wednesday ). Ive started taking some weak antihistamines for hayfever, once a day, that seem to control the rash (it still comes, but usually not as bad/often).
Im not a heavy drinker at all. I dont drink a drop of alcohol all week, until friday and/or saturday, where i will usually drink about 4/5 pints of lager.. and maybe a shot here and there a night (very minimal compared to others my age, 18). But now i have only just started taking these antihistamines, i am not sure whether it is safe to drink this amount? what will happen to me? im not bothered if it makes me more drunk, i will actually like that as it will be nicer to my wallet!

I have only noticed this condition in the past 4 weeks or so, it has already taken away the opportunity to wear short sleaved t-shirts for however long i have this condition (reading that some people have it for 20 years, im getting really scared)
Please dont let it take away my Friday night!

Also, if i go to the doctors and they prescribe me a stronger antihistamine, is it a DEFINATE NO on alcohol?

Thanks ..

[seun]

a sure help is the chinese bitter orange. u can find it in any chinese shops. u have to boil the dried the orange in water for a while then drink the liquid. it has a nasty taste but it works.

[DixieDiva]

Also, if i go to the doctors and they prescribe me a stronger antihistamine, is it a DEFINATE NO on alcohol?

Thanks ..

Mixing alcohol with antihistamines is not a smart thing to do. If the antihistamines make you sleepy, drinking alcohol can intensify the effect and render you unconscious. Alcohol may also aggravate the rash. Antihistamines can make you dehydrated, so can alcohol, which makes things hard on your kidneys.

No one says you have to give up your Friday nights, but giving up the alcohol while you're on ANY medication is a smart thing to do.