itchy hands

[itchycoldhands]

Whenever I get cold my hands start itching really bad.  It only happens to my hands though.  I never get it on any other body part and I do not encounter swelling or hives.  Is this just a mild case of Cold urticaria or something else?

[Turpin1]

I get itchy/burning/ purplish red hands & fingers when I get something from the refrigerator(or) freezer @ the store>>or when the temps get really cold outside...what can I do to protect myself from having these episodes?I usually have to run in the bathroom at the  store and run warm water on my hands to get some relief and then I put hand cream on.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
It can be due to cold urticaria. Cold urticaria is diagnosed by holding an ice cube against the skin of the forearm for 1 to 5 minutes. A distinct hive should develop if a patient has cold urticaria.

Patients with cold urticaria should learn to protect themselves from a rapid drop in body temperature.Antihistaminics like Claritin and zyrtec can also be taken. The antihistamine cyproheptadine (Periactin) has been found to be a useful treatment also.
It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.