It is an allergic condition that causes red, itchy rashes on the skin after exposure to the cold. If you have this condition, you may notice the skin reaction about five to ten minutes after you come into contact with cold water or weather. The reaction may last from one to two hours.
There are two types of cold
urticaria:
1. Acquired or essential cold
urticaria. In
acquired cold urticaria, symptoms start to show after two to five minutes of
getting triggered. The symptoms last for about one or two hours before
resolving.
2. Hereditary or familial cold
urticaria. Here, symptoms
may start to show 24 to 48 hours after getting triggered. The symptoms of this
type of urticaria usually last for 24 hours but may go on up to 48 hours.
Symptoms of Cold Urticaria
It’s important to note that
cold urticaria may affect people differently. Individuals may have different
symptoms.
The most common symptoms of
cold urticaria include:
- Red, itchy rashes after feeling cold
- Anaphylaxis (allergic reaction)
- Swelling in the affected area
- Headache or lightheadedness
- Burning feeling in the affected area
Cold urticaria affects females
more than males. It mostly occurs in young adults but can happen to people of
any age. Some people may get more severe symptoms than others. A severe case
might lead to shock, difficulty breathing, or even losing consciousness.
What Causes Cold Urticaria?
The exact cause of cold
urticaria in most people is idiopathic, or of unknown origin. There are some
known triggers. You may get cold urticaria triggered by insect bites,
medications, infections, or cancer of the blood.
Other cold urticaria triggers
include:
- Physical exercise
- Stress and anxiety
- Exposure to direct sunlight
- Cold
- Skin scratching
- Exposure to some chemicals
- Exposure to allergens like pollen,
animal fur, and some foods
- Doing things that put a lot of pressure
on your skin (i.e. sitting for long)
Who Is More Likely to Get Cold
Urticaria?
You may be more likely to get
cold urticaria due to:
- Age. As noted earlier, cold urticaria is more
likely to affect young adults than other age groups. If you are a young
adult, you have a greater risk of getting this condition.
- Inheritance. In rare cases, you may get cold
urticaria by inheriting it from a close family member. This type may lead
to painful rashes and flu-like symptoms when you get exposed to a cold.
- Underlying conditions. Having some medical conditions
like hepatitis and cancer can increase the chances of you
getting some form of cold urticaria.
·
How to Diagnose Cold Urticaria
Your doctor may diagnose cold
urticaria after taking a thorough history and doing a cold stimulation test
(CST). A CST involves placing an ice cube on the skin to see if there will be
any reaction. If you get a visible skin reaction, then it’s a sign that you may
actually have cold urticaria. Sometimes a rash might not appear at the site of
the CST test right away and you may have to wait 20 to 30 minutes for a
reaction.
Your doctor may also ask you
the following questions:
- When did you first see symptoms?
- Have you had a recent infection?
- Does any other family member have the
same symptoms as you?
- Have you started any medication
recently?
- Have you tried new dishes?
- Have you been to a new place recently?
- Does anything relieve or worsen your
symptoms?
Allopathic Treatment of Cold Urticaria
After a diagnosis of cold
urticaria, your doctor may prescribe some antihistamines. This medication helps to
manage the rash especially if you can’t escape the cold. Since cold urticaria
increases the risk of a severe, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction
called anaphylaxis, your doctor may recommend carrying an epinephrine
auto-injector (EpiPen). You may also get treated using antibiotics and other
medications like omalizumab.
Omalizumab is also referred to
as Xolair. It may be used if your condition does not resolve after using other
medications.
Homeopathic Treatment of Cold Urticaria
Histaminum 30C:
Usage:
Histaminum relieves symptoms of allergies, such as hay fever, hives or urticaria.
Urtica urens 6C
Usage:
Urtica urens relieves itching aggravated by cold and water.
Tips to Manage and Prevent
Cold Urticaria
There are a few tips and
precautions you can take together with your medication to manage symptoms of
cold urticaria. Try to avoid:
- Ice-cold drinks and frozen foods
- Cold cosmetic procedures
- Places with cooler temperatures like
cellars and supermarkets with refrigerated shelves
- Household tasks like defrosting the
freezer or window cleaning
- Outdoor activities like swimming,
snowsports, and mountain climbing could trigger symptoms
Prevention tips include:
- Take prescribed or over-the-counter
antihistamines before exposing yourself to the cold.
- If you have an epinephrine
auto-injector, always have it on you in case a reaction occurs.
- Make sure you take all medication
prescribed by your doctor.
- When you decide to go swimming, consider
checking the water first with your hand to make sure it won’t cause a
reaction.
- Always talk with your doctors about your
condition before treatment or surgery to prevent medication or
cold-induced urticaria symptoms.
It’s important to note that if
you have cold urticaria, you should always inform your doctor about your
condition before getting any medical, dental, or childbirth procedures done.
This will let them know to keep you warm while they do the procedure.
·
Does Cold Urticaria Go Away?
You may stop getting symptoms
of cold urticaria with treatment. However, if the condition goes on for more
than six months, it's considered a chronic condition that can go on for years.
Conditions Related to Cold
Urticaria
Sometimes the symptoms of cold
urticaria may resemble symptoms of other conditions, including:
1. Cold agglutinin disease. This is a blood
condition that occurs when blood temperature drops to levels below the body
temperature. It gets worse at temperatures below 25 C, and can be triggered by
infections or simply occur in a healthy person.
2. Raynaud’s disease. This condition mostly affects the blood
vessels of the fingers and toes after exposure to cold. It causes spasms in
blood vessels, pain, and blue coloring of the toes or fingers.
3. Paroxysmal cold hemoglobinuria. This is a condition that
leads to the destruction of red blood cells in blood after exposure to cold.
Comments
Post a Comment