reaction to coldness

For a little over 2 weeks now I have had a strange reaction to anything cold. First when I walk on my ceramic floor bare foot my feet burn and itch, Also going in the pool with the water cold I itch and burn all over and get a rash, but if I take a warm shower it gets better. Holding anything cold like a drink from McDonald's my hand will itch and start burning. A few nights ago I had popsicle and my mouth felt strange and I felt like I was numbing and itching. The worst time was rideing my motorcycle in the morning it was cool out and a little damp from fog and my hole body itched and swelled and burned and I got a rash. What is going on. I do not have insurance and I don't know who I can talk to, what kind of doctor do I need for this strange reaction? Is there anything I can take to help in the meantime?

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

There is a (rather uncommon) condition called cold urticaria, or hives from cold.  It isn't an allergy, just a tendency to get itchy or red on exposure to cold.  You ought to see a doctor about it--an allergist or a dermatologist.  Meantime, try taking Loratidine (over-the-counter Claritin) 10 mg per day.  The extent to which you respond should help your doctor tell what is up.

Best.

Dr. Rockoff

[Erica_Moon]

I've had problems with itchy skin since I was a teenager.  In March of this year, I was diagnosed with Hashimoto Thyroid Disease.  Since that time, my skin has itched all over - it's constant.  Claritin and Benedryl do not help at all.  I itch when take showers, excercise, go into an airconditioned room, after I bathe and shave; basically, everything makes me itch.  I looked into the possibility of having chronic idiopathic urticaria, but I don't have hives.  There is no redness - just itching all over.  Is it possible that the thyroid condition has worsened my itching condition?  My doctor put me on 7 days of prednisone, and I stopped itching for 7 days, but then it came right back.  I have to keep my entire body covered up - can't expose the skin to heat or cold.