What to do if your cheeks are burning after a walk in the cold? Sometimes this is simply a sign of health, but in some cases, it is a manifestation of cold urticaria, one of the varieties of chronic allergy. Immunologist-allergist Ekaterina Chernyshova explains that this condition occurs when the immune cells of the body react to low temperatures.
How to Recognize Cold Urticaria?
The main symptom is the appearance of itchy welts on the skin, most often on exposed areas that are susceptible to cold: the face, hands, and legs. The rashes are usually short-lived and disappear within a few hours after contact with the cold ceases, leaving no traces. It is important to remember that allergies can manifest even with contact at temperatures below 36.6°C, not just in severe frosts.
Dangerous Consequences and Contraindications
Cold urticaria is not always limited to unpleasant itching. In cases of severe hypothermia, more serious reactions are possible, including life-threatening swelling of the airways. People with this diagnosis should avoid visiting pools, cryo-procedures, as well as consuming cold drinks and ice cream.
Who is at Risk?
Cold urticaria is most commonly found in women aged 30-40 years, and less frequently in children.
Treatment and Prevention
The main tactic is to maximize the avoidance of contact with cold. In cases where this is unavoidable, a doctor may prescribe antihistamines. Self-medication is unacceptable. Prevention includes wearing warm, closed clothing, using scarves and hats, as well as thermal underwear that retains heat and wicks moisture away.
What Can Be Confused with Cold Urticaria?
It is important to distinguish cold urticaria from contact allergic dermatitis, which manifests as persistent peeling and dryness of the skin, as well as from aquagenic urticaria, which occurs upon contact with water of any temperature. Only a doctor can make an accurate diagnosis.
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