In winter and windy weather, many people may experience characteristic red spots on their face and body, accompanied by itching. This is what cold urticaria looks like, causing an immediate physical reaction of the body to changes in the external environment. In this case, the role of irritants is temperature changes, as well as mechanical influences (for example, being in one position for a long time without moving while traveling by car). Is this disease easy to identify? How to treat it with medication and traditional methods?

Cold allergy as it is

Cold urticaria or allergy is the body's reaction to dampness, cold, frost, and cold water. This disease most often affects people with highly sensitive skin and a tendency to allergic reactions. This unpleasant phenomenon got its name due to itchy red spots, identical to those that occur when unprotected areas of skin come into contact with nettles. Interestingly, such marks on the skin appear not only on the legs, arms, face and torso, but even on the lips (when drinking excessively cold drinks).

Cold urticaria in most cases is characterized by the appearance of whitish or pink-red rashes. They are dense and slightly swollen to the touch. They can appear and disappear in just a couple of hours, leaving no trace.

How can urticaria be complicated and why?

Urticaria can be complicated by other diseases, for example, lupus erythematosus, diseases of the thyroid gland and gallbladder. Accordingly, this type of illness may occur with other symptoms and certain complications. In such a situation, the disease may appear immediately after contact with irritants and lasts 2-3 days. Most often, cold urticaria is considered an acquired ailment. But there are also congenital types of this disease. In this case, in addition to itching, it is accompanied by a kind of burning sensation. Sometimes peeling and swelling occurs.

Is urticaria harmless and what should people who are sick be afraid of?

However, despite the seemingly simple form of the disease, urticaria is not so harmless. This means that at the first symptoms you should immediately consult a doctor. We will talk about the symptoms of cold urticaria below. In advanced cases, the disease leads to Quincke's edema, accompanied by a significant increase in the size of part of the face.

What types of urticaria are there?

Cold urticaria (photo attached) comes in several types, each of which is accompanied by its own characteristics. For example, the acute form of the disease is characterized by a rash of small spots on the face, hands, and less often on other parts of the body. Severe itching of the affected areas of the skin begins, and swelling and blisters also appear when intensively scratched. In advanced cases, it is expressed in the form of chills, the appearance of general muscle weakness, pain in the joints, rapid heartbeat, etc. The duration of exacerbation of this form is 2-3 weeks or more.

There is a recurrent form of the disease associated with seasonality. For example, exacerbations in patients begin to occur in the autumn-winter period, as well as in early spring. Redness and itching on the skin usually occur upon contact with ice water.

There is also reflex urticaria, characterized by the appearance of a rash around an area of ​​skin that has direct contact with cold (for example, a piece of ice). Other areas of the body are not affected. The following forms of the disease are also encountered:

• familial (rare, hereditary urticaria);
• cold erythema (erythema with pronounced pain appears);
• cold dermatitis (flaking and swelling occurs);
• cold rhinitis (accompanied by nasal congestion, but only in the cold);
• cold conjunctivitis (soreness in the eyes and lacrimation on the street);
• mechanical (occurs when wearing bracelets, watches, rings for a long time).

What are the causes of hives?

Cold urticaria (this disease must be treated promptly) presumably occurs due to excessive production of cryoglobulin proteins in humans. They, in turn, activate the production of histamine, which causes allergic reactions. And, of course, cold, weak immunity, the presence of colds and viral diseases (including gynecological diseases in women, throat diseases in men and children) add additional fuel to the fire.

What are the symptoms of the disease in adults?

Most often, urticaria occurs from cold. However, sometimes its symptoms can be confused with elementary fatigue, ARVI, acute respiratory infections and other diseases. For example, when going out into the cold, an adult may feel a headache and cramping of the neck and facial muscles. You may experience pain in the back of your head and forehead, nausea and slight dizziness. Next, you may feel itching on the upper side of your arms. Subsequently, the skin on them becomes dry, begins to itch, then becomes rough, covered with cracks and spots of different sizes.

Less often, peeling appears under the knee, inner thighs (this manifestation is typical for women who abuse wearing thin nylon tights in the cold season), and swelling of the legs, face and arms also occurs.

Symptoms in children: what are they?

Cold urticaria in children manifests itself as redness in the cheeks, nasolabial folds and chin. After the appearance of spots 0.5-1.5 cm in size, babies experience burning and itching, as a result of which they try to rub and scratch the newly formed inflammations. In adults and children, the disease may be accompanied by a runny nose, sore throat and conjunctivitis.

Hives appear from cold and sudden changes in temperature. It can be complicated by other allergic reactions in the child. For example it could be:

• allergic rhinitis;
• food allergies;
• atopic dermatitis (especially difficult in infants);
• avitaminosis.

Often, urticaria can occur as a complication after a child has suffered from acute respiratory viral infections and other infectious diseases.

Cold urticaria: treatment with medications

Treatment of urticaria follows the same principle as for allergies. Thus, the patient is advised to avoid cold air and water, and not to become overcooled. When going outside, you should wear things made from natural fabrics and cover the lower part of your face, arms and neck. As medications, patients need to use mainly antihistamines, which are the drugs “Tavegil”, “Suprastin” and “Claritin”.

However, it is worth considering the fact that many of these drugs have an effect similar to sleeping pills. Therefore, they are not recommended for use while driving a car. The following drugs do not have such unpleasant side effects: Cetrin, Erius, Zyrtec, and Zodak. If these drugs do not help get rid of the effects of urticaria, glucocorticoid drugs such as Diprospan, Celeston and Prednisolone are usually prescribed. If Quincke's edema occurs, the drug "Epinephrine" and ointments are also prescribed.

If a severe rash occurs on the skin, then it is advisable to use Theophylline and Papaverine tablets.

Is it possible to get rid of hives using traditional methods?

In addition to drug treatment, cold urticaria is treated with folk remedies. For example, ordinary green dill from the garden, or rather its juice, will help you get rid of this disease. To make the medicine, you need to first wash the dill; twist it through a meat grinder; separate the pulp from the juice; moisten a piece of cloth and wipe the redness every 30 minutes. The main advantage of this recipe is the ability to relieve itching from the skin.

In a similar way, you can make compresses from meadow clover. Apply a cloth soaked in juice or decoction to the inflamed areas and hold for half an hour. Then wet again. To improve the effect, it is recommended to make a decoction of nettle (pour boiling water over the herb, leave for 30 minutes, strain) and drink it 2-3 glasses a day. You can also relieve itching by taking 15-20-minute baths from pre-prepared wild rosemary herb (1 liter of decoction is enough).

Attention! When using traditional methods and herbs to treat urticaria, pay attention to your reaction and contraindications. Ideally, you should consult your doctor first.

In conclusion, let's say that urticaria is not a death sentence. It can and should be treated. The main thing is to do everything on time!

Good day, dear visitors of the project “Good IS!” ", section " "!

I am glad to present to your attention another article from the health section, namely - about cold allergies, or as it is often called - cold urticaria. So…

Cold allergy or cold urticaria ( lat."Urtica" – nettle ) - an allergic reaction on exposed parts of the body in the form of 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 a feeling of discomfort, and your health worsens: appear. And in general, 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 research 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.

So, how can you recognize it, because cold allergies are skillfully “disguised” as, and.

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 as it intensifies, pain appears. 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.

Inexplicably arising long-term, nasal congestion, itching in the nasal passages, sore throat, and even with lacrimation and itching of the mucous membranes of the eyes.

Breathing in the cold takes away, it becomes difficult, narrowing of the bronchi often provokes.

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 () and, dysfunction of the thyroid gland, etc.

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

Types of cold allergies

There are several types of cold allergies. Each of them has its own characteristics:

Acute and chronic cold urticaria– this form of the disease is characterized by an acute onset, intense itching of exposed skin areas – the face, hands, and sometimes the entire surface of the body. Soon, swelling of the skin occurs at the itching sites, which manifests itself as a blister. Then rashes appear in the form of intense redness of individual areas of the skin, as if caused by a mosquito bite or “sting”. In severe forms of the disease, general malaise and severe palpitations occur. An exacerbation of the disease can continue for several weeks and even months - the entire cold period of the year;

Recurrent form of urticaria- it is characterized by seasonality: autumn, winter, early spring. Year-round exacerbations occur when the skin is exposed to cold water;

Reflex cold urticaria– a general or local reaction to cold, similar to cholinergic urticaria. Sometimes it occurs only when the whole body cools down. A local reaction to cold is manifested by a rash that appears around the chilled area of ​​the skin, while the skin directly in contact with the cold is not affected;

Familial cold urticaria– a rare form of urticaria, inherited in an autosomal dominant manner. Characterized by a maculopapular rash and burning sensation that occurs 0.5 to 3 hours after exposure to cold. Possible systemic manifestations, chills, joint pain, leukocytosis. A rare form of the disease has been described in which urticaria occurs 20 to 30 hours after exposure to cold. Since the rash is accompanied by itching and burning, chronic idiopathic urticaria is often mistakenly diagnosed;

Cold erythema– manifested by redness of the skin (erythema). This form of the disease is characterized by severe pain in the affected areas of the skin;

Cold dermatitis- The skin is very itchy and flaky. If the disease has become quite severe, swelling of the entire body can be observed;

Cold rhinitis- differs from a regular runny nose in that the feeling of nasal congestion occurs exclusively in the cold. As soon as a person suffering from a similar form of cold allergy enters a warm room, all symptoms immediately disappear;

Cold conjunctivitis- in the cold there is strong lacrimation, as well as pain in the eyes.

The described symptoms should not be confused with the body’s natural defense against cold and windy weather, which do not cause significant discomfort and quickly disappear in a warm environment.

A separate point is problems with the gastrointestinal tract: upon examination, it turns out that a person has 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.

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 you cannot avoid it, then take a warm shower or bath.

Medicines - antihistamines "", "Tavegil", "".

It must be borne in mind that some of them have a hypnotic effect and should not be used while performing work that requires concentration and reaction time, for example, driving a 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, etc.). Therefore, it is necessary to pay special attention to their treatment. Impaired liver and intestinal function predispose to allergies, including cold allergies.

Before treatment with medications, be sure to consult your doctor!

Treatment of cold allergies with folk remedies

Cold allergies can also be treated with folk remedies.

Raspberry. Pour 0.5 liters of water into 50 g of dry crushed raspberry roots. Simmer over low heat for 30-40 minutes. Then strain and cool. Drink the decoction before going out in the morning, after lunch and before bed, 2 tbsp. spoons. Treatment period is 2 months. If you do not skip taking folk remedies, medications will not be needed. Also drink the decoction for preventive purposes, starting 2 months before the winter cold. Then in winter, you will not feel any symptoms of the disease.

Sunflower seeds and regular red beets. Just eat more unsalted seeds and beets in all types in winter, and also drink half a glass three times a day of freshly squeezed beet juice.

Celery. For cold allergies, drink freshly squeezed celery root juice. It should be taken 0.5 teaspoon before meals, three times a day.

Mumiyo. For a medicinal solution, take 1 g of mummy per 1 liter of boiling water. High-quality raw materials dissolve without sediment. Take once a day in the morning, adults 100 ml. It is possible to treat cold allergies in children in this way, but a single dose for a child 1-3 years old is 50 ml, and for a primary school child – 70 ml.

For cold allergies on the hands and face, you can lubricate the skin with a solution of a higher concentration of 1 g per 100 ml of water.

Blueberries. Grind fresh blueberries and apply them as compresses to the affected areas of the skin.

Emulsion based on celandine, burdock, mint and calendula. If a cold allergy appears on the face, there is no better remedy. Grind and mix 10 g of grass, leaves, burdock root and flowers. 5 tbsp. Pour a tablespoon of the herbal mixture with sunflower oil, so that the oil level is 1 cm above the level of the raw material, leave for 24 hours. Sterilize in a water bath, stirring gently. Strain, cool and lubricate the skin. The emulsion perfectly relieves itching and dry skin.

Pine shoots in vegetable oil. In cases where a child’s allergy to cold is manifested by dryness, peeling and redness of the skin, the formation of small cracks and itching, an infusion of pine buds in vegetable oil is prepared. Young pine shoots are infused with vegetable oil in a 1:1 ratio in a dark place for about 5 months. The infusion is gently rubbed into the baby's skin.

Birch sap to reduce allergic swelling.- an excellent general strengthening and regulating salt and water exchange agent with a mild diuretic effect. Its consumption helps to quickly eliminate allergic swelling of the hands and face. You can consume it in unlimited quantities, but for an adult the daily dose should be at least 1 liter. For cold allergies in children, this dose, depending on age, is from 200 to 500 ml. To improve the taste, you can add a little raisins, honey, dried fruits or raisins to the juice, leave for about an hour, and then drink. Not only healthy, but also very tasty.

Walnut tincture. A tincture of , which has anti-inflammatory, bactericidal and anti-allergic effects, is prepared from fresh leaves and green pericarp of the nut, at the rate of 50 g of crushed raw materials per 100 g of vodka or ethyl alcohol diluted to 40°C. Infuse in a tightly closed glass container for a week, shaking daily. The strained tincture is taken 25 drops 3 times a day 20 minutes before meals, diluted in a quarter glass of water. If a child is allergic to cold and has a cough and shortness of breath, it is recommended to give as many drops of tincture as the child is old.

Schisandra juice. If you are bothered by severe itching caused by cold allergies on the face, hands or other parts of the body, you can carefully wipe the skin with lemongrass juice when returning to a warm room, trying not to injure it.

Blue cornflower for the treatment of allergic conjunctivitis. If it occurs as a symptom of cold allergy, treatment is also possible with the help of rinses and lotions from decoctions of medicinal herbs. Most often, a decoction of blue cornflower flowers is used. 1 tbsp. a spoonful of raw materials and 200 ml of boiling water, leave for about 30 minutes and then filter. The resulting decoction is used to wash the eyes or make a lotion from it, soaking gauze pads in it and placing them on the eyes for 15 minutes.

Pine needle baths. Collect twigs along with needles, boil and take baths with this decoction. It is also necessary to wash your face with it in the morning and evening. Take water and needles “by eye”; there are no strict restrictions here.

Before using folk remedies, be sure to consult your doctor!

If, fortunately, you are not yet familiar with cold allergies, make a little effort to prevent it, which is very similar to the prevention methods:

Before going outside during the cold season, lubricate exposed areas of the body with special protective creams against cold and wind. A high-quality nourishing cream is applied to the face half an hour before going outside.

Don't neglect gloves, seasonal hats, warm underwear and tights. Underwear must be made of cotton, because... Synthetics and wool increase the manifestations of cold urticaria. If possible, wear a hood, and the deeper it is, the better. Don't forget about a warm scarf.

At the first signs of a cold allergy, reduce your time outside and do not get too cold.

Hardening by dousing is also a good preventative measure, but you just need to start it in the summer and gradually reduce the water temperature.

Before going outside, try not to wash your face and other areas of the body bordering the street with soap, because... it dries out the skin, removing its natural protective film, thereby exposing the skin to the harmful effects of cold on the body.

To avoid cold allergies, as a comprehensive measure, you need to monitor your diet. Meals must be regular. It is worth excluding everything that irritates the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), smoked and deep-fried meat - first of all. It is necessary to introduce foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids into the diet - sea fish and high-quality vegetable oils.

Video about cold allergies

I hope that the information presented in this article will help you and that cold allergies will stop bothering you, and if you have your own methods of dealing with cold allergies, please share, and maybe your advice will be suitable for someone!

Allergist-immunologist Yegor Batorov about urticaria, which occurs when exposed to low temperatures

The saying “it’s better to be covered in sweat seven times than frost once” is especially true for people suffering from cold urticaria. In severe cases of this disease, the figurative meaning of this joke can quickly become literal.

Is there an allergy to cold? What are its symptoms? Cold urticaria (CU) is a disease characterized by the appearance of blisters and/or angioedema after general or local exposure to cold, one of the forms of physical urticaria. ICD-10 code: L50.2 (urticaria caused by exposure to low or high temperature).

Classification

1. Acquired HC
   • primary (contact, idiopathic)
   • secondary (with cryoglobulinemia, infectious diseases, tumors; arising after taking medications, insect bites, etc.).
2. Atypical HC
   • systemic acquired HC
   • slow HC
   • local HC
   • cold erythema
   • cold-dependent dermographism
   • cold-induced cholinergic urticaria
3. Hereditary HC
   • Cryopyrin Associated Periodic Syndromes (CAPS):
     familial cold autoinflammatory syndrome,
     Muckle-Wells syndrome (urticaria, deafness, amyloidosis),
     Chronic Infantile Onset Neurologic Cutaneous Articular Syndrome/Neonatal Onset Multisystem Inflammatory Disease - CINCA/NOMID)
   • Familial atypical HC.

Epidemiology

Allergy to cold can occur in both adults and children. However, it is more common in young people (18–25 years old). This is a relatively rare condition, with an incidence of about 0.05–0.1% of all cases of urticaria. In cold climates it naturally develops a little more often. More than half of patients with chronic hyperplasia suffer from other allergic diseases.

In most cases (> 90%), primary acquired CU develops. Hereditary forms are extremely rare (≤1: 360,000–1,000,000), inherited in an autosomal dominant manner, and persist, as a rule, from early childhood.

Causes of cold allergies

The significant factors and causes of primary acquired cold urticaria are unknown. Secondary acquired CU can develop in patients with infectious diseases (viral hepatitis, HIV infection, infectious mononucleosis, syphilis, toxoplasmosis, borreliosis, etc.), tumors, after the use of medications, including serums and vaccines, hymenoptera bites. Cryoglobulins (serum proteins that change their structure and precipitate when the temperature drops; are formed in tumor, infectious and systemic inflammatory diseases) were detected in the blood of 3–4% of patients with chronic chronic disease. Isolated cases of secondary CC that arose against the background of allergen-specific immunotherapy and after allergological skin tests have been described.

Hereditary CC develops as a result of mutations in the gene encoding the protein cryopyrin, which is involved in the regulation of the production of proinflammatory cytokines, primarily interleukin-1 (IL-1).

Pathogenesis

Local and/or general exposure to cold on the skin or mucous membranes leads to changes in tissue antigens and/or antibodies. Contact of these altered molecules with mast cell receptors leads to the release of histamine and other allergy mediators from the latter. Under their influence, capillary permeability increases, swelling and inflammation quickly develop.

In hereditary forms of CC, an uncontrolled increase in the expression of IL-1 leads to the development of a systemic inflammatory process in many organs and tissues of the body.

Symptoms of an allergy to cold

How does an allergy to cold manifest itself? The triggering factor is general or local cooling: cold air, in severe cases, sometimes a draft or flow from an air conditioner is enough, immersion in cold water, ingestion of cold food and drinks, contact with a cold object. Cold-induced cholinergic urticaria develops after exercise in the cold.

Patients with cold allergies complain of symptoms such as:

• typical urticarial rashes,
• rounded or irregularly shaped elements rising above the surface of the skin, accompanied by itching or burning,
• possible swelling of the lips, mucous membranes of the oral cavity,
• itching in the mouth, throat.

A rash with an allergy to cold usually appears within a few minutes on the arms, legs, face or other areas of the skin exposed to cold, less often around them or on “insulated” parts of the body (reflex CU). With cold erythema, there are no characteristic urticarial elements, the cooled area turns red, and pain appears.

In warm conditions, skin manifestations usually resolve within 1–24 hours, but may persist for up to several days.

In severe cases of the disease, disturbances of consciousness, headaches, decreased blood pressure, tachycardia, difficulty breathing, nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain are possible.

In addition to the individual sensitivity of the patient, the severity of signs of cold allergy depends proportionally on the operating temperature, the area being cooled and the duration of exposure.

Diagnostics

In most cases, characteristic complaints, medical history and examination results are sufficient to make a clinical diagnosis of CU. To confirm it, a provocative test is performed: an ice cube packed in polyethylene is placed on the skin of the anterior surface of the forearm for 10–20 minutes, after which one or more urticarial elements appear at the site of contact or around it for 30 minutes. Antihistamines must be discontinued at least 48 hours before the test.

In case of a negative ice test, it is possible, but modern guidelines do not recommend - due to the risk of developing systemic reactions - a modified cold test: the forearm is placed in very cold water (5 ° C) for 10 minutes.

For the same reason, as well as out of humanism, the third test is not recommended for use: a person stripped to his underwear is placed in a room with a refrigerator temperature of +4 °C for 20–30 minutes. This truly Gestapo method allows you to identify HC, which manifests itself only with general cooling.

In civilized countries, to assess the severity of chronic cold, the temperature sensitivity threshold is also determined using a special device, but it is not used in the daily practice of domestic allergists.

Using laboratory and instrumental methods, the presence of pathological conditions that may be associated with the development of secondary chronicle disease is excluded or confirmed.

Treatment of cold allergies

How to treat allergies to cold? Patients with HC should, if possible, avoid exposure to low temperatures: dress warmly, wash with warm water, do not drink cold drinks, swim with great caution or not swim at all. During the cold season, it is recommended to use cosmetics that prevent the skin from cooling.

The main treatment for cold allergy symptoms is second-generation H1 antihistamines. If necessary, it is possible to increase the daily dose up to 4 times, but for this it is necessary to obtain the informed written consent of the patient.

The effectiveness of leukotriene antagonists is not shown in all cases. Systemic glucocorticosteroids are often ineffective.

Tolerance induction with the patient's own serum is used to a limited extent due to the relative complexity and labor-intensive nature of the procedure. From a patient with an exacerbation - usually after a walk in the cold - 20 ml of blood is taken, the serum is isolated, diluted with saline and gradually increasing concentrations are injected subcutaneously over two weeks. In some cases, this method has a good temporary or permanent clinical effect in the treatment of cold urticaria.

In rare cases - when life-threatening conditions occur and the disease is severe - hospitalization is indicated. In case of secondary chronic disease, treatment of the underlying disease is necessary.

Allergic reactions in one form or another occur in 80% of the world's population. The nature of their occurrence may be different, but eliminating the cause and symptoms is mandatory for each case. One type of allergy, cold urticaria, is rare compared to other types of allergies, approximately one case in a thousand. That is why little is known about her and little is said. However, it is important to understand why the disease occurs, what symptoms are associated with it, and how to treat cold urticaria.

What is cold urticaria?

The main symptom of cold urticaria is a red rash over the body

Urticaria from cold manifests itself as a red rash on the body, slightly protruding above the surface of the skin, and itching is felt in the affected area. Its symptoms differ little from classic urticaria. But there is a significant difference: the cause of rashes is low temperatures affecting the skin. As a rule, temperatures below 4 degrees are already dangerous. Studies show that women are more susceptible to the disease than men. More often it affects people of young and mature age, as well as children over five years of age. In most cases, the disease becomes chronic and difficult to treat. The first manifestations of rashes begin to appear 5-15 minutes after exposure to cold.

The cause of the onset and exacerbation of the disease is not only cold air currents, but also cold food, water, drinks, and contact with cold objects. In this case, it is not the specific temperature of the medium that is important, but the range of temperature differences. This is confirmed by cases when a cold injection solution is administered intravenously to a patient in a room with a comfortable temperature and he develops symptoms of cold urticaria. Or the disease occurs when swimming in lakes in tropical climates. In this case, the temperature of the environment and water differs, and it is this range that activates the development of the allergic process.

The disease can proceed independently, in which case a traditional treatment system is prescribed. But there are cases when cold urticaria is a concomitant ailment of another disease. This situation is considered serious and requires immediate treatment, since there is a risk of complications, even death.

Pathogenesis

The histopathology of urticaria consists of impaired superficial vascular response and soft tissue edema. Exposure to low temperatures leads to degranulation of mast cells, triggering the release of various mediators and histamine. It follows that mast cells are a kind of target for cold, because when exposed to it, the sensitivity threshold of the above-mentioned cells is significantly reduced. An important role is played by the disruption of the fluidity of cytoplasmic membranes in mast cells, since they determine the threshold stimulus for immunocompetent cells to start working.

Symptoms

Symptoms of cold urticaria

Signs of cold urticaria appear as a normal allergic reaction. They can appear on any part of the body, but since mast cells are mostly localized on the neck and face, the pathology most often and most actively manifests itself in these places. But there are distinctive factors unique to this type of disease.

1. Redness and itching may only occur in areas that have been exposed to cold.
2. Swelling of the tongue or throat if there has been contact with cold food or drinks.
3. Damage to the fingers or the entire hand if the hands came into contact with objects of low temperature.
4. Trying to warm the affected areas aggravates the skin condition.

Treatment of skin allergies

• increased body temperature and chills;
• runny nose, nasal congestion;
• sore throat;
• cramps muscles in the face and neck;
• redness and peeling of the skin, rash;
• headache;
• There are cases of nausea.

Unfortunately, there can be more serious reactions of the body to cold. They appear in a third of cases of the disease and cannot be avoided without medical help.

1. Anaphylactic shock is characterized by swelling spreading throughout the body and limbs. At the same time, the heart rate increases and fainting is possible.
2. Swelling of the larynx or tongue interferes with free breathing.
3. Quincke's edema is characterized by swelling of the mucous membranes and subcutaneous tissue. Breathing, urination, digestion, and brain function may be impaired.

Anaphylactic shock is a serious reaction of the body to cold and requires immediate medical attention.

Types of hives from cold

Like any disease, cold urticaria occurs in different forms. The disease can be acute or chronic. In the first case, the signs of the disease disappear in a couple of weeks, and in the second case, the allergy can torment its owner for years. The acute form of the reaction to cold occurs abruptly and passes acutely. Where the skin has been in contact with cold, swelling appears, and after this red spots appear, similar to nettle marks. Itching and discomfort accompany the disease from the very first manifestations. If the patient’s body temperature has increased, then we can talk about a severe course of the disease.

An acute reaction to cold passes as quickly as it appears

In addition, the reaction can be divided into types, depending on the nature of the manifestations.

1. The recurrent type worries the patient seasonally. Exacerbations begin with the first cold weather and continue until the arrival of warmth. During the warm season, allergies do not manifest themselves in any way.
2. The familial variety of the disease is caused by genes that are inherited. This type is expressed by burning and redness of the affected area, which has recently been in contact with cold. The patient has a fever, chills, and joint pain. This species is rare, but such cases have still been recorded.
3. The reflex type occurs as the body's response to cold. Manifestations are spread throughout the body, and the surface of the skin that was in contact with low temperatures remains clear of rashes.
4. Dermatitis can also be a type of cold urticaria. At the same time, after contact with cold, the whole body may swell, peeling, rashes appear on the skin, and there is severe itching.
5. Erythema is often a reaction to cold. With this type of disease, the affected areas become red and painful, which is not typical for other types of disease.
6. Conjunctivitis can occur due to frost. As soon as the patient goes out into the cold, he begins to experience profuse lacrimation, discomfort in the eyes in the form of pain and negative reactions to light.
7. Patients often experience rhinitis as a result of cold urticaria. When it's cold and windy, your nose starts to get stuffy. This only happens upon contact with frosty air, but as soon as the person returns to a room with a comfortable temperature, the allergy goes away.

Reasons

A weakened immune system can cause allergies

Obviously, cold urticaria occurs from the cold. Many years of work by researchers to identify the causes have yielded results, but the 100% source of the disease has not been identified. It is believed that this is not one irritant, but a combination. It is known that there are circumstances that provoke the development of the disease:

• presence of food allergies;
• weakened immune system. It may weaken as a result of illnesses, operations, or after taking potent drugs;
• helminthic infestations;
• disorders of the gastrointestinal tract;
• genetic predisposition;
• chronic diseases;
• inflammatory processes.

Symptoms and treatment of cold dermatitis

Against the background of the above factors, cold urticaria occurs much more often than in their absence. Any of the listed conditions can provoke the onset of the disease or its exacerbation.

Diagnostics

The presence of the disease can be detected independently, at home. The study is called the Duncan Test. To carry it out you will need an ice cube and 15 minutes of free time. Ice should be applied to the place where the skin is most sensitive (for example, the inner bend of the elbow or wrist) and hold for 10-15 minutes. If after the test there is redness and a bump appears, then the reaction can be considered positive. There is an allergy. In this case, you need to consult a doctor.

You can detect the presence of cold allergies at home using a piece of ice.

In a medical institution, laboratory tests are carried out to confirm the presence of the disease. An important evaluation criterion is increased cryoglobulin protein. When an exacerbation occurs, the amount of this protein increases sharply; during remission, it decreases, but still exceeds the permissible norm.

To have an idea of ​​the patient’s health status and possible causes of the disease, the following examinations are prescribed:

• blood test (biochemical, clinical);
• stool analysis for helminthic infestations;
• carry out urine collection;
• rheumatic tests;
• Ultrasound of the peritoneum;
• skin biopsy;
• X-ray;
• screening for antithyroid antibodies (for women and those with a family history of autoimmune diseases).

Pay attention! The above is a complete list of possible tests, but the doctor may only order some of them if there is a specific idea about the possible cause.

A blood test is mandatory when determining the presence of a cold allergy

How to treat cold urticaria

Drug treatment

A drug has not yet been invented that can completely cure this disease. Therefore, therapy is symptomatic and pathogenetic in nature. Simply put, the treatment of cold urticaria is to eliminate the symptoms and suppress the pathology mechanism.

1. Antihistamines (Fexofenadine, Suprastin, Claritin, Desloratadine). These drugs will help get rid of the symptoms of the disease by blocking the release of histamine cells.
2. Preparations for local use. Creams and ointments (Fenistil, Fluorocort, Gistan) will help reduce discomfort on the skin, relieve swelling and redness. But their effectiveness is lower than when taking pills.
3. Magnesium sulfate is prescribed to relieve inflammation.
4. Additional drugs such as Cyproheptidine act more specifically. In addition to blocking the production of histamine, it reduces nerve impulses, so that symptoms do not develop further. Omalizumab (a drug against allergic asthma) can help when the above drugs have not helped.

Magnesium sulfate will help relieve inflammation

If the case is severe or advanced, more serious drugs are prescribed that can clear the patient’s blood of cryoglobulin. Bronchodilators are often used. If an autoimmune component is observed, Cyclosporine (an immunosuppressant) is prescribed.

For a speedy recovery, you need to adjust your diet during the cold season. Do not eat allergenic foods (citrus fruits, chocolate, smoked foods). Include foods containing vitamin F, natural oils, and sea fish in your diet. Drink more clean water. Don’t go out into the cold without a reason, and if you do go out, then warm yourself. The neck, arms, and face should be covered as much as possible.

Folk remedies

Pine baths are effective for allergies

If the disease is mild, you can use folk recipes. The most effective are considered:

1. Pine baths. To do this, brew the branches along with the needles and add them to the water. Take a bath for 15-20 minutes and rinse your body with clean water. The concentration of the composition does not matter.
2. Blueberry compresses are applied to affected areas of the skin to alleviate the condition. To do this, you need to rub them thoroughly, apply them to the skin and wrap them in a towel. 5-10 minutes of compress is enough.
3. Herbal emulsion relieves itching well. Take one tablespoon each of dry celandine, calendula and burdock. Pour the mixture with olive or vegetable oil and leave overnight. The next day, you can lubricate the affected skin with this emulsion 2-3 times a day.

Prevention

To avoid unpleasant symptoms, the patient must ensure that the body is warm. There are rules that, if followed, will minimize the manifestations of allergies:

• Do not wash your face or wash your hands in cold water;
• do not touch cold objects unless your hands are protected by gloves;
• There should not be cool or cold water in the shower. It is recommended to carry out water procedures only with warm water;
• exclude hardening in winter (you can start doing this only in the warm season and with lukewarm water). Hardening trains the body well, only in this case you need to start carrying out procedures in the summer, gradually lowering the water temperature;
• Before going outside in the cold, do not use soap to wash your hands. It dries out the skin and reduces the protective barrier;
• exclude cold foods and drinks (even in the warm season);
• In winter, dress warmly, wearing clothes made from natural fabrics underneath. Remember that products made from synthetics and wool only aggravate the situation;
• prevent general hypothermia of the body;
• 30-40 minutes before going outside, use special protective creams;
• swim in a pond only near the shore, because if swelling suddenly occurs, this will help you go ashore and take action in time.

Yes, living with a diagnosis of cold urticaria can be a little more difficult, but taking preventative measures can reduce your risk of symptoms. Anyone who knows about the specifics of their illness can prevent unpleasant consequences. If alarming symptoms do appear, you should definitely consult a doctor, since effective treatment measures are not possible without the supervision of a specialist.

Cold urticaria is a disease that occurs due to an allergic reaction to cold. When exposed to this negative factor, the patient almost instantly develops corresponding symptoms. That is why it is recommended to immediately treat the pathology.

The disease has appropriate signs, which allows the patient to independently determine this type of pathological process. The disease is accompanied by:

• Heavy breathing;
• Bronchospasm;
• Hoarseness.

In most patients, the disease is accompanied by skin rashes. Cold urticaria can be identified by swelling of exposed areas. When going out into the cold, a person experiences a runny nose and tears.

These symptoms go away on their own if a person goes into a warm environment. When pathology appears, some patients complain of pain in the abdominal area. Cold urticaria is accompanied by arrhythmia.

Upon examination of the patient, he is diagnosed with increased heart rate. IMPORTANT! The first signs of cold urticaria are coughing attacks, as well as shortness of breath. During the development of the disease, nasal congestion appears.

A person experiences itching in the area of ​​the nasal passages. With a strong cough, the patient may be diagnosed with bronchial asthma.

Cold urticaria has corresponding symptoms. That is why, when it appears, it is recommended to go to a medical center, where the doctor will prescribe rational treatment.

Reasons

At the moment, experts have not been able to accurately establish the causes of this species. But there are known factors, under the influence of which the risk of pathology increases significantly.

The main cause of the pathological process is a protein defect.

Under the influence of cold, amino acids stick together. The lump that comes from them is perceived by the immune system as a foreign antigen. As the conflict develops, a corresponding skin reaction is observed.

Pathology develops against the background of an infectious process in the human body. The development of the pathological process can be observed against the background of chickenpox. In some patients, the disease is diagnosed with lymphosarcoma.

The cause of the disease is often autoimmune pathological processes. When disturbances appear in the digestive tract, the development of the disease can be diagnosed.

Cold urticaria is a serious condition that occurs for a variety of reasons. That is why people are advised to be as careful as possible about their health.

How to Diagnose Cold Urticaria

Diagnosis of cold urticaria should be carried out in a medical center. Initially, an allergist or dermatologist examines the person and takes a medical history. The patient is also prescribed laboratory tests.

What is cold urticaria, watch in this video:

If the need arises, the person is prescribed hardware tests, as well as x-rays. Special tests are informative diagnostic methods.

One of them is to expose the person to the cold for 10 minutes.

The Duncan test, which involves applying ice to the forearm, can also be used. When using a modified test, it is recommended that the patient's forearm be immersed in cold water.

Diagnosing cold urticaria is a responsible undertaking. The treatment process directly depends on it.

First aid

When the first signs of pathology appear, it is recommended to place the person in a warm room. If a person has itching, then it is recommended to take antihistamines general or local effect of exposure.

What is forbidden to do

During the course of the pathological process, it is strictly forbidden to comb the affected areas. Staying in the cold during the course of the pathology is strictly prohibited.

During the development of the disease, it is prohibited to take aspirin, as well as drugs that are based on codeine. To avoid the appearance of angioedema, patients are prohibited from using ACE inhibitors.

When to go to the doctor

It is difficult to cure this type at home. That is why, if a pathological process occurs, the patient is recommended to see a doctor. Only a specialist can correctly diagnose and prescribe specific therapy.

This video will tell you what to do if you are allergic to cold:

Treatment methods

In most cases, patients are prescribed antihistamines, which block the negative effects of histamine. Most doctors recommend that patients take Fexofenadine or Desloratadine.

The medication should be taken once a day until the symptoms of the pathological process disappear. To ensure the most effective treatment, patients are recommended to use antiallergy creams.

To alleviate the symptoms of the pathology, the use of Cyproheptadine is recommended. Omalizumab has a high effect in the fight against cold urticaria. To eliminate the signs of urticaria and combat depression, Doxepin is used.

If the patient has a complex course of the disease, then antigonists in the form of Singulair or Acolat are recommended.

If the pathological process has an autoimmune component, then the patient is recommended to take Cyclosporine. If urticaria is combined with other pathological processes, then treatment should be carried out with Prednisolone.

Traditional medicine

In order to provide effective therapy for pathology. It is recommended to use folk remedies.

Heat compresses are effective.

You can also use aloe juice. It is squeezed from the foliage of the plant. A soft cloth is moistened in the resulting medicine and applied to the affected area for 10-15 minutes.

Patients are advised to consume green tea in large quantities as it is a natural antioxidant. Taking this drink is recommended for patients before going outside during the winter season.

Nettle is used to combat the disease. Its leaves are poured with boiling water and infused for several hours.

After the infusion has cooled, it is filtered and used for oral administration. To relieve pain, it is recommended to use a medicine based on celery root, which is pre-grated. The juice is squeezed out of the resulting pulp.

To improve blood circulation and eliminate the symptoms of pathology, it is recommended to use a decoction based on yarrow. 2 tablespoons of herbs are poured into 0.5 liters of boiling water and boiled for 10 minutes. After cooling, the medicine is taken orally.

Treatment of pathology should include a whole range of measures that are selected by the doctor in accordance with the individual characteristics of the person and the degree of development of the pathology.

Diet therapy

Products containing food coloring are strictly prohibited.

The patient's diet should not consist of seafood, beer, milk, canned food, and tomatoes. Cold urticaria is a serious pathological process that requires timely treatment. Certain medications should only be prescribed by a doctor.