What Is Cold Urticaria?

Cold Allergy: What Is It? Turkey National Allergy and Clinical Immunology Society (AİD) has issued warnings about 'cold allergy'. If your skin swells, itches or even puffs up when the weather gets cold, you may have cold allergy. AİD Chairman Prof. Dr. Dilşad Mungan stated "During these cold days in our country, cold allergy can lead not only to simple skin problems such as redness and numbness, but also to serious issues such as sudden fainting, shock and breathing difficulties." The Turkey National Allergy and Clinical Immunology Society has emphasized that allergy-related disorders manifest more quickly during winter months, and those with high allergic sensitivity need to be cautious during this period. As cold weather arrives, attention must be paid to cold-induced urticaria, known in common usage as "cold allergy" or "cold hives". Cold allergy manifests itself through symptoms of swelling, puffiness, redness, numbness, tingling and itching on the skin as skin temperature decreases. Not only cold air but also cold water, sea, pools, and even contact with cold objects can cause hives (urticaria) and allergic edema (angioneurotic edema). Moreover, these symptoms can occur widely throughout the body, not just in areas exposed to cold.

Can Lead to Sudden Fainting and Shock

Turkey National Allergy and Clinical Immunology Society Chairman Prof. Dr. Dilşad Mungan stated: "We most frequently observe symptoms of cold allergy in the hands, feet and face areas in outdoor environments where the skin has the most contact with cold. However, we should not evaluate this allergy solely as being caused by the cold air we are exposed to. Those who have this allergy can encounter many allergic symptoms in other environments or physical contacts where they are exposed to cold. For example, when they eat ice cream, they may experience sudden swelling in the tongue, lips and throat, making it difficult to breathe, and even the airway can swell and close. Similarly, when entering a cold pool or sea, drops in blood pressure, shock and sudden fainting can occur. Research findings emphasize that cold allergy is not just a simple hive but can lead to breathing difficulties, hypotension, dizziness, disorientation, fainting and even allergic shock (anaphylaxis)."

Cold Allergy Can Persist for Many Years!

Prof. Dr. Dilşad Mungan, who also noted that the easiest way to prevent cold allergy is to avoid cold weather, said: "To diagnose cold allergy, we use an ice contact test where we expose the patient's skin to ice. Following this contact lasting between 5 and 10 minutes, we observe the skin's reaction and whether it becomes red and swollen. In treatment, the first step is prevention of attacks, that is, avoiding exposure to cold. During cold weather, allergy medications should be used under doctor supervision as a preventive measure; in serious cases, patients are advised to carry pen-shaped adrenaline auto-injectors with them. Dressing warmly without cold exposure, avoiding products such as ice cream and ice, and refraining from cold water activities are also of great importance in treatment," he said.