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Avatar universal

Allergy to Cold.

Everyone thinks I'm kidding when I say I'm allergic to cold...but really I'm not. The doctor even told me so. I developed it when I was about 6 or 7 months pregnant with my now two year old son. It was the oddest thing, I would break out in hives when I came in contact with anything cold. I'm so miserable now that its winter and there's snow everywhere. I can't even swim in the summer time with everyone else because I get hives cause the water isn't warm, even a getting caught in a downpour or gust of cold wind can give me hives. I'm wondering if there is anyone else that has the same problem and if there is something I can get to make this stop. I'm going crazy.
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489369 tn?1253375992
I have cold urticaria. I am in the process of attempting to figure out the root cause and get a handicapped parking permit. The condition is completely disabling and has drastically reduced my quality of life.

The condition showed up 1.5 years ago. it took some time to figure out what was going on. I first noticed it in the mornings after packing the kid's school lunches. My hands would itch and break out in hives. Then, with time, it got worse. Now, currently, I can't touch anything cold, swim or be in temperatures less than the 70s without out swelling up and feeling very ill internally.

I am trying to manage this with Allergy and PPI medication, with very limited success. I still react to cold on medication but with red soreness and the internal illness versus the full on hives and swelling.

So far I have ruled out lymphoma, liver disease, and auto-immune disease. I have had Epstein Barr virus in the past which could also be a contributor.
I suspect that the condition may be caused by an H. Pylori infection which I am being tested for currently. I will let you all know what the outcome is.
Helpful - 0
883071 tn?1240617719
I also have cold urticaria. I have tried many medications and NONE work for me. My condition is getting worse with time. My own tears cause my face to itch. I almost passed out twice this winter trying to pick up my children from school one block away from my home. in 60 degree weather I still break out in hives. I have a disability hearing in May for this condition. It has truly taken control over my life and me being a mother to my children. I cannot even eat or drink anything cold nc my mouth and throat burn. Just like you, ppl think I am crazy when i tell them I have this condition. :(
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
hi!  

i too have cold urticaria.
i'm taking xyzal and iterax to manage it...
and we don't even have winter in our country!
just getting exposed to airconditioned rooms already trigger it...
I guess we need to look for ways to strengthen our immune system...
and to manage stress...
so our immune system won't go haywire...

cheers!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
hello, my names amanda im 25 years old and i am going thru the same thing, ive been going through this since i was pregnant with my 4 year old and everything u said i am going thru. some days are even that cold but its like anything under 65 degrees or it could be warmer and if the wind blowing is chilly i break out too. i couldnt figure out why but i knew it was because of anything cold. i was finally diagnoised with cold urticaria but still havnt found any medication that helps. hope this made u feel a little better that ur not alone
Helpful - 0
1139173 tn?1260849206
I'm sorry, but I don't know if cold urticaria will ever go away. However there is a drug called Ebastine (may be sold as Kestine, Evastin, Ebastel, Aleva(I'm not sure of its availability)) which has been shown to greatly improve resistance to cold and may help you. It is a pill taken once daily, in doses of 10 to 20 mgs.

Good luck,
Schuyler
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have tried benadryl and claritin and reactin, none of them seem to help, he prescribed me an antihistamine but it doesn't get rid of my problem ether.. I'm also wondering does this ever go away??
Helpful - 0
1139173 tn?1260849206
After looking into it, what you have is truly an allergy to cold. Refered to as 'cold urticaria'. With cold urticaria, exposure to cold temperatures causes redness, itching, swelling and hives on your skin. People with cold urticaria should avoid exposure to cold air or water as much as possible. (Source: Mayo Clinic, http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/cold-urticaria/DS01160)
This completely agrees with everything you have said, and thus proves your cold allergy. Try taking antihistamines before exposure to cold, air, water or otherwise. Also try to talk to your doctor again, see if you can convince him/her.

Hope I helped,
Schuyler
Helpful - 0
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