Overview
Urticaria, also known as cold urticaria, is a cutaneous reaction to exposure to cold that manifests shortly after exposure. Itchy welts appear on the affected skin (hives).
The symptoms of cold urticaria vary greatly from person to person. Some people only experience moderate cold reactions, but others experience severe ones. Swimming in cold water may cause very low blood pressure, fainting, or shock in some people with this illness.
Young adults are especially prone to cold urticaria. Consult your doctor if you believe you may suffer from this ailment. Preventive measures like taking antihistamines and avoiding cold air and water are typically part of the treatment.
Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of cold urticaria may include:
- Hives, or temporary itchy welts, appeared where the skin had been exposed to the cold.
- as the skin warms up, the response gets worse.
- Hand swelling when handling cold objects
- lip swelling brought on by drinking or eating cold things.
Among the severe reactions are:
- a complete body reaction (anaphylaxis), which can result in shock, dizziness, a racing heart, and swelling of the limbs or torso.
- throat and tongue swelling, which can make it challenging to breathe.
Soon after the skin is exposed to a sudden drop in air temperature or to cold water, symptoms of cold urticaria appear. A flare-up of symptoms may be more prevalent in damp and windy weather. Each episode might last for two hours or so.
The harshest reactions typically happen when the skin is fully exposed, like while swimming in cold water. Such a response might result in unconsciousness and drowning.
Whenever to visit a doctor
Consult your doctor if you experience skin rashes after being exposed to cold. Your doctor will want to rule out any underlying diseases that might be the cause of the issue, even if the reactions are moderate.
If you suddenly get exposed to cold and develop a whole-body reaction (anaphylaxis) or trouble breathing, seek emergency assistance.
Causes
Nobody is certain of the specific cause of cold urticaria. Due to a hereditary characteristic, a virus, or an illness, some persons appear to have extremely sensitive skin cells. The most prevalent types of this illness are caused by colds, which cause the bloodstream to release histamine and other substances. Hives and occasionally a systemic (whole-body) reaction are brought on by these chemicals.
Risk elements
You have a higher chance of having this condition if:
- You’re a teenager. Young adults are more prone to developing primary acquired cold urticaria, the most prevalent kind.
- You have a fundamental medical problem. Secondary acquired cold urticaria, a less frequent kind, can be brought on by an underlying medical condition like hepatitis or cancer.
- There are characteristics you inherited. Cold urticaria is very rarely inherited. After exposure to cold, this familial variety results in itchy, stinging welts and flu-like symptoms.
Prevention
The following advice may be useful in avoiding recurrent cases of cold urticaria:
- Prior to exposure to the cold, take an over-the-counter antihistamine.
- Use prescription drugs as directed.
- Keep your skin protected from the cold and abrupt temperature changes. If you’re going swimming, test the water on your hand to see if you get a skin reaction.
- Avoid ice-cold foods and beverages to reduce throat swelling.
- Keep the epinephrine autoinjector (EpiPen, Auvi-Q, etc.) that your doctor ordered with you at all times to help prevent dangerous reactions.
- Speak to your surgeon in advance of any planned surgery if you have cold urticaria. In the operating room, the surgical team can take precautions to assist prevent symptoms brought on by the cold.