How to avoid cold urticaria

What it is

Urticaria is a reaction on the skin under the influence of certain factors. Diagnosed in children and adults, regardless of gender. Hives are not contagious and cannot be transmitted from one person to another.

Cold form of urticaria is the skin's response to exposure to cold. It appears as red or pink rashes, accompanied by intense itching. Cold urticaria has an ICD-10 code L50.2.

Allergies to cold often occur after swimming in cold water. Symptoms vary among patients - some experience intense symptoms, while others suffer less. Common in cold countries.

Young people and children over five years of age are more susceptible to the disease. Cold urticaria in children often goes away on its own with age. There are acute and chronic stages of the disease.

If discomfort occurs, it is recommended to visit a specialist - a dermatologist or allergist.

Cold allergy or cold urticaria

Allergist, Head of the Department of Allergology and Occupational Pathology Dudareva N.I.

Cold allergy or cold urticaria (Latin “Urtica” - nettle) is an allergic reaction on exposed parts of the body in the form of hives-like rashes or red spots caused by cold (cold air or water).

Although it is called an allergy, in reality this response of the body has nothing to do with a true allergic reaction. Cold, dampness, frost are physical factors, and not a substance that causes sensitization - hypersensitivity. But in this article, we will not replace generally accepted definitions, so we will still call this reaction to cold a cold allergy.

Cold allergies manifest themselves literally within a few minutes after exposure to low temperatures in the form of rashes on open areas of the skin: on the face, hands, and often on the lips after drinking cold drinks. The rash is pink or whitish in color, dense, accompanied by itching, can last for several hours, and then disappear without a trace.

There are also other forms of cold allergies that occur in the presence of other diseases - dysfunction of the thyroid gland, lupus erythematosus, and are much more severe. Sometimes a rare form occurs - hereditary. It is accompanied by a burning sensation and is more the body's reaction to the wind than to the cold.

But even the most seemingly harmless form of cold allergy is not as safe as we think. It causes severe itching and discomfort, and your health worsens: headaches appear and blood pressure drops. And with general hypothermia of the body, more severe manifestations may appear - the so-called Quincke's edema. (Manifestation of Quincke's edema is an enlargement of the face or part of it, or a limb, but the color of the skin does not change.)

Cold allergy test

Therefore, it is very important for both the doctor and the patient to determine the nature of the allergic reaction in time. For this, along with complex studies using special equipment, there are quite simple methods. You can check whether you have a cold allergy at home: place a piece of ice on the crook of your elbow for 10-15 minutes, and if hives appear, then we can assume that you are predisposed to a cold allergy.

But if in doubt, you should consult a doctor; allergic diseases require laboratory blood tests.

Symptoms of cold allergy

So, how to recognize it, because cold allergies skillfully “disguise” as dermatitis, colds, acute respiratory infections and acute respiratory viral infections.

As soon as you stepped out into the cold, your head immediately began to hurt. The facial and neck muscles contract, pressing pain begins in the back of the head and forehead, and a feeling of nausea appears from the intensifying headache. It's time to go into a warm room: 10-15 minutes are usually enough to say goodbye to a headache attack. This symptom can be provoked not only by sub-zero air temperatures, but also, for example, by ice-cold drinks or a cold bed.

Reddish rashes, peeling and itching on the skin of the hands and face, sometimes under the knee and on the inner thighs.

In adults, it all starts with cold allergies in the hands. At first, the skin of the hands simply itches, then becomes dry, rough, covered with cracks and even rashes such as hives. In the skin form of cold allergy in a child, the favorite place for rashes is the face. The cheeks, chin, and nasolabial area turn red. Then a burning sensation will appear, the baby will begin to rub these places, and a rash very similar to herpes is guaranteed. Those who love thin tights in winter suffer from delicate, cold-sensitive skin under the knees and on the inner thighs.

Following urticaria, swelling of the face, legs, and arms appears.

Unexplained long-term runny nose, nasal congestion, itching in the nasal passages, sore throat and even conjunctivitis with lacrimation and itching of the mucous membranes of the eyes.

Breathing in the cold becomes difficult and difficult; narrowing of the bronchi often causes shortness of breath.

And there are also signs of cold allergies such as feeling tired and mood swings.

Cold allergies can worsen and occur against the background of other diseases and be just their mask, for example, with a lack of vitamins (avitaminosis) and microelements, dysfunction of the thyroid gland, vegetative-vascular dystonia, etc.

If there is another allergic disease, for example atopic dermatitis, food allergies, allergic rhinitis, then cold allergies will be more severe. Often, cold allergies begin after suffering from acute respiratory viral infections or other infectious diseases.

Causes of cold allergies

Experts are sure: cold allergy is not an independent disease, but only a symptom that accompanies some kind of physical disease. The body, weakened by a long and latent course of the disease, gives such a response to cold, so the true reasons for the body’s non-standard reaction to cold have not yet been established. There are suggestions that the development of allergies to cold is associated with the production of special cryoglobulin proteins in the body, which are actually the “culprits” for the activation of histamine, which causes allergic reactions. And the main trigger for this is cold. Various predisposing factors help this trigger mechanism work: decreased immunity, infectious, colds and parasitic diseases, for example, chronic throat disease, untreated teeth, inflammatory processes in the gynecological area in women.

A separate point is problems with the gastrointestinal tract: upon examination, it turns out that a person has chronic gastritis or cholecystitis, an ulcer... In principle, quite a few chronic ailments can provoke cold urticaria.

Cold allergies in children can also be a continuation of food allergies.

Therefore, all the attention is not on getting rid of symptoms, but on treating the underlying disease. The remaining measures can be considered temporary; they do not solve the problem, they only slightly alleviate the condition.

Treatment of cold allergies

The treatment method for cold allergies is similar to the treatment for true allergies. First of all, it is necessary to avoid contact with the provoking factor, in this case - cold. Winter allergy sufferers need to dress in clothes made from natural fabrics and not be exposed to cold. The degree of sensitivity is individual. For some, allergic reactions occur at an air temperature of minus 24-28°C, for others - minus 8-10°C, for some - after washing with cold water. If hypothermia cannot be avoided, take a warm shower or bath.

Medicines - antihistamines "Suprastin", "Tavegil", "Claritin". It must be borne in mind that some of them have a hypnotic effect and should not be used when performing work that requires concentration and quick reaction, for example, driving car. For bronchospasms, bronchodilators are used. In severe cases, doctors prescribe plasmapheresis, which clears the blood of cryoglobulins, glucocorticosteroids, and some immunosuppressants.

Most often, cold allergies appear in people who are not hardened and have foci of chronic infection (sore teeth, sinusitis, tonsillitis, bronchitis, cholecystitis, pyelonephritis, etc.). Therefore, it is necessary to pay special attention to their treatment. Liver and intestinal dysfunctions and dysbacteriosis predispose to allergies, including cold allergies.

What does a cold allergy look like?

Pathogenesis

What is the mechanism of development of cold urticaria? Under the influence of a provoking factor - cold - the granules present in mast cells are destroyed. As a result, certain active substances are released that contribute to the development of urticaria. The main substance in this case is histamine.

An excessive amount leads to increased vascular permeability, increased blood flow, resulting in a negative reaction on the skin.

When reacting to cold, other active substances may be released that affect the condition of the skin. In such cases, the use of antihistamines does not give the desired result.

Signs of the disease

How does cold urticaria manifest? The symptoms of this type of urticaria are no different from those of other types.

The reaction to the stimulus appears within five to twenty minutes. In some cases, symptoms may occur within a few hours. What is characteristic of cold fever?

Symptoms:

• Red blisters on the epidermis, single or multiple, can merge into large spots,
• Severe itching, intense, sometimes unbearable,
• Poor health, weakness,
• Painful sensations in muscles, joints,
• Head pain, dizziness,
• Pre-fainting or fainting state,
• Swelling of tissues in contact with cold
• Difficulty breathing, runny nose, watery eyes,
• Nausea, in rare cases, gag reflex,
• Swelling of the mucous membranes, anaphylactic shock, Quincke's edema.

Symptoms appear quite quickly. disappear gradually upon returning to a warm environment. Cold urticaria is divided into several types.

Types:

1. Spicy. It is characterized by a sharp manifestation of symptoms, in rare cases severe reactions occur. The signs also disappear quickly.
2. Reflex. An allergic reaction is present only in areas of the epidermis that come into contact with cold.
3. Recurrent. Characterized by a seasonal manifestation, urticaria may not appear for a long time, after which it again affects the skin.

You can see what urticaria looks like in the photo.

Features of the disease in children

More than half of cases are diagnosed in children under 3 years of age.

If you notice that after a walk in cold or windy weather, your baby’s cheeks or arms become covered with spots similar to nettle burns, then we strongly recommend that you consult a doctor.

If treatment is not started, the attacks will intensify. Cold urticaria in children does not go away on its own.

Please note that one of the most serious symptoms of CA is angioedema.

Doctors recommend that parents of children with severe CA carry with them a syringe and the medicine prescribed by the doctor.

Causes of CA:

• genetic predisposition;
• taking antibiotics;
• worms;
• dysfunction of the thyroid gland;
• infectious diseases;
• caries.

The treatment regimen is determined by the pediatrician and the allergist (jointly). As a rule, therapy is carried out with the same drugs as for adults, but the doses are prescribed for children.

Prevention:

• limit your walking time during severe frosts;
• warm clothes, preferably made from natural fabrics;
• avoid snowball fights and sledding;
• Before going outside, apply a thick layer of protective cream to your baby’s face;
• Even a serving of ice cream or a glass of a very cold drink can trigger an attack of chronic cold.

Causes of nettle rash from cold

What factors can trigger cold urticaria? The disease occurs as a result of increased sensitivity of epidermal cells to cold.

Factors:

1. Infectious diseases,
2. Chronic diseases of internal organs,
3. Oncological diseases,
4. Weak immune system
5. Many toxins in the body,
6. Hormonal imbalance
7. Parasitic diseases,
8. Lack of vitamins
9. Heredity, genetic predisposition,
10. Disorders of the stomach and intestines,
11. Blood diseases
12. Frequent nervous shocks and stress.

The presence of one or more of these factors leads to the development of urticaria.

How dangerous is such a disease? It is impossible to predict exactly when the disease will appear. In the absence of proper treatment, urticaria can gradually become chronic and provoke the development of autoimmune diseases.

The appearance of Quincke's edema and anaphylactic shock can cause death. In addition, nettle fever from the cold disrupts the normal course of life.

Causes of cold allergies

The disease manifests itself in people with a weakened body and impaired protective functions of the immune system. Chronic and autoimmune diseases lead to this. For example, thyroid diseases, blood cancer, systemic lupus erythematosus. Infectious diseases such as measles, mumps, mononucleosis, rubella, pneumonia can also cause such allergies. Chronic common sinusitis, caries, cholecystitis and worms deplete the immune system, making it unable to resist external irritants.

People suffering from ordinary allergies are also susceptible to cold ones. If there is poor circulation or narrowed blood vessels, there is also a risk of encountering this disease.

Diagnosis of urticaria

The diagnosis is made in specialized institutions. To detect a reaction, they do a test for the skin's perception of cold - a piece of ice is passed along the epidermis at the bend of the elbow. If a rash occurs, we can talk about the presence of urticaria.

If necessary, a variety of studies are used.

Methods:

• Blood and urine tests
• Allergen tests
• Immunological studies,
• Tests for the presence of parasites,
• The use of radiography and computed tomography,
• Research of the thyroid gland.

There are typical and atypical forms of cold urticaria. In the first case, urticaria is acquired; to diagnose it, a skin biopsy is performed.

The atypical form is a hereditary disease and is diagnosed using a blood test. Once an accurate diagnosis is made, appropriate treatment is prescribed.

Treatments for Cold Rash

When the first signs of urticaria appear, the person is placed in a warm room, and a warm bath can be provided. Subsequently, medications and traditional medicine are used for treatment.

Medicines:

1. Antihistamines - Claritin, Tavegil, Suprastin - reduce the production of histamine in the blood and reduce the negative reaction on the skin.
2. External agents help relieve inflammation, reduce swelling and itching. They are found in the form of creams, gels, ointments - Fenistil, Skin-cap, Gistan.
3. In severe cases, drugs containing hormones - Hydrocortisone, Elokom, Advantan - may be prescribed. The products help well, but they have certain side effects and are prohibited for use for a long period.
4. In case of Quincke's edema and anaphylactic shock, it is necessary to provide emergency assistance to the victim and call a team of doctors. In such a condition, the patient is given epiniphrine, one ampoule of antihistamine and decongestant medication.

Medications are prescribed by a specialist; independent selection of medications can provoke an exacerbation of urticaria. To treat nettle fever from cold, it is allowed to use folk remedies and methods.

Folk remedies:

• Drink one small spoon of freshly squeezed celery juice three times a day before meals.
• Squeeze a small amount of juice from an aloe leaf onto a gauze napkin. The compress is used on inflamed areas of the skin for cold urticaria.
• Three hundred grams of nettle leaves are poured into three hundred milliliters of boiling water. Insist during the day. Filter and take one glass before bedtime.
• A good preventive remedy for hives on the body is raspberry jam. You should consume several spoons of it per day.
• For herbal infusions, chamomile, calendula, and burdock are used. The prepared product is used to wipe the inflamed areas of the skin.
• Two hundred grams of fresh blueberries are ground and applied to affected areas. The procedure is carried out once a day for seven days.
• One hundred and fifty grams of pine needles, cones and twigs are poured with boiling water. The prepared solution is used for allergy baths.

Folk remedies can cause exacerbation of urticaria, so they are used after consultation with a specialist.

Nutrition should be balanced. Avoid foods high in histamine, enzymes and artificial colors. Preference should be given to fermented milk products, hypoallergenic fruits and vegetables.

ethnoscience

Many decades ago, there were no special antihistamines. However, even in those days people had to deal with allergies. Medicinal fees came to the rescue. Many recipes can still be used today. However, it is recommended to consult a doctor first.

A lot of good reviews can be heard about the method based on the use of medicinal decoctions. The first three days you need to drink fennel-based tea, the next three days a chamomile-based remedy. Finally, you should consume a decoction of St. John's wort for three days. Any medicine is taken one tablespoon 30 minutes before the main meal. This therapy allows you to increase the body's defenses and reduce the production of histamine.

Treatment of cold urticaria can be carried out using the following collection: lemon balm leaves, valerian rhizomes, hop cones. All ingredients are mixed in equal proportions (20 g will be enough). Pour a tablespoon of the mixture into a glass of boiling water, cover with a lid and wait until it cools completely. The resulting infusion is filtered and consumed before meals throughout the day.

Nettle infusion will help remove toxins from the body

Nettle infusion will help remove toxins faster in complex forms of cold urticaria. The young plant along with the stem must be thoroughly chopped, placed in a liter jar and filled with cold water. The infusion does not need to be touched for 12 hours. Then it should be filtered and can be consumed in any quantity. Nettle helps cleanse the body of allergens and has a calming effect.

To quickly restore the affected areas, you can use fresh aloe juice. All you need to do is apply a small amount of freshly squeezed product directly to the area of ​​the rash. Reviews show that blisters disappear quickly even without the use of antihistamines. Honey water (a tablespoon of the product per liter of boiled water) will help get rid of itching. However, it is permissible to treat the skin with such a medicine only if you are not allergic to honey.

Prevention methods

The development of cold urticaria on the legs, arms and other parts of the body can be prevented if certain preventive measures are followed.

Measures:

1. Dress according to the weather, do not forget about warm underwear, hats and scarves.
2. It is recommended to use special protective agents and apply them to exposed areas of the skin.
3. If signs of hives occur, immediately go to a warm place.
4. Particular attention is paid to proper nutrition; the diet should not contain foods that can cause an allergic reaction.
5. If possible, try to avoid contact with the allergen.
6. Treat all diseases in a timely manner - infectious, viral, fungal.

Cold urticaria is an unpleasant disease that disrupts a person’s normal lifestyle. It is not possible to cure the disease completely, but following the instructions will allow you to achieve stable remission.

All data in the article is provided for informational purposes and we do not encourage self-medication options. For more detailed answers, consultation with a specialist is required.