skin rashes

[gokul18]

hi..... I have odd type skin rashes or swelling..... I live in cold county(canada). I get rashes only in the hands(from fingers to wrist only) that too only if go out only. Inside the house,I'm pretty normal. but once I go out(where the temperature will be in minus) I get rashes only in hands which is not covered, rest of my body will be covered with jackets and winter shoes. so which made me to think. whether this rash is because of the climatic change (this sounds really weird). coz i havn't felt like this before. please  me why I fell like this, what will be cause for this kind of rashes?.
appreciate your help!!!!!!!

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
For cold urticaria, you should avoid exposure to cold stimuli, including swimming or bathing in cold water. You can take antihistaminics like zyrtec or tegamet. Also apply calamine lotion and a hypoallergenic moisturizer.

I hope it helps. Take care and regards.

[gokul18]

Thank you Dr. That really helps....
But this rashes starts all of a sudden on a day. Last winter I didn't have this problem and even this winter too, it started suddenly( in the mid winter). Which made me to think, whether something bit me or something. But i confirmed that it is cold urticaria. I get red, itchy, only in some part od my body which is exposed to cold, like hand (fingers to wrist only) and in the feet only. other parts are preety normal. If this is some kind allergy means, i should have got that in the last winter itself, i have no clue why it started suddenly.
It would be great help, if you suggust some skin lotion, which would atleast help my rashes
thank you once again and appreciate your help!!!!!!!!!

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
From the symptoms it can be cold urticaria or hives. Hives (medically known as urticaria) are red, itchy, raised areas of skin that appear in varying shapes and sizes. They have a tendency to change size rapidly and to move around, disappearing in one place and reappearing in other places, often in a matter of hours or days.

Apply calamine lotion and mild steroid cream and take some oral antihistaminic like Benadryl. If the symptoms persist then please get it seen from a dermatologist. I hope it helps. Take care and regards.