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Allergy to frost
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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Allergy to frost is also called cold allergy or thermal allergy. This is a relatively new symptom of an allergic reaction associated with a general weakening of the immune system.
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What are the symptoms of an allergy to frost?
Frosty air, just a cool wind, even in the summer, suddenly come bad weather, can cause unpleasant and incomprehensible sensations, usually in the face area. Less hands suffer, in general, all unprotected areas of the body can become a target for this type of allergy, such as cold. Hyperemic areas are covered with a rash, then small papules develop, blisters are possible. Also, eyes that start to water, suffer from reddening of the sclera, followed by swollen eyelids. Often a person, referring to an ophthalmologist, describes the symptoms of ailment, like sand in the eyes, itching in the eyelid region, loss of vision. In medicine, allergology does not have a separate species, to which all of the above symptoms belong. In fact, nosology "allergy to frost" or "cold allergy" does not exist. The reason is simple. Cold, frost, wind are not an allergen, the body is simply not capable of producing antibodies to natural phenomena. Frosty air can only be a trigger mechanism and trigger the process of an allergic disease. Thus, an allergy to frost is a pseudo- allergy. If a person suffers from an allergy, sensitivity to any external factor is increased. CEC - circulating immunocomplexes are able to disintegrate in the thermal regime, but the cold can activate them. Also one of the reasons allergists call chronic diseases of non-allergic etiology. Consequently, the general condition of the body is the basis for possible allergic manifestations, including cold allergies. Reducing the protective function of the immune system, disruption in the digestive system, liver disease, especially hepatitis, cholelithiasis and many other pathologies - all this is fertile soil for the invasion of not only allergens, but other harmful substances.
What signs indicate a cold allergy?
Allergy to frost is most often manifested by urticaria, hyperemia (reddening) of open areas of the body. If you do not take timely measures, the allergy to frost continues to develop and a person's itching sensation spreads throughout the body. Combing leads to erosive lesions, microcracks, blisters appear. Most often these symptoms affect the inner sides of the hands and feet, as well as the face and neck. Increasingly, in the clinical practice of allergists, cases of cold reaction to the scalp began to occur. On the lips develops cheilitis, which is often called a "fever". Possible headaches by the type of migraine, which are not stopped by usual analgesics.
How is the allergy to frost treated?
Allergy to frost does not lend itself to standard antiallergic treatment. Neither antihistamines, nor immunomodulators sometimes can not cope with persistent symptoms in the cold. Therefore, it is necessary to find out the cause of the underlying underlying disease, carry out diagnostic measures and begin treatment of this disease.
Allergy to frost and food
In the food should not eat chilled foods, ice cream, cold drinks. Just one sip of cold juice can provoke an allergic process or return it after a long and persistent treatment.
Allergy to frost is a transitory phenomenon, seasonal. Nevertheless, it must be remembered that cold allergy also includes provocation by cold air in principle. Therefore, it is better to prevent, prevent this unpleasant phenomenon, so that it does not repeat in the summer and does not spoil the holiday season.
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How is the allergy to frost prevented?
Allergy to frost is not a phenomenon that can not be avoided. Prevention is quite simple - it's clothing that matches the season and the weather. On their hands - gloves or mittens, on their feet - warm shoes with a high bootleg, a neck - a scarf, a head - a headdress. Linen is also preferable to wear warm from natural materials. In general, any contact with synthetics can trigger an allergic reaction, and the cold will further intensify allergic manifestations. As a preventive measure, it is worth noting the preliminary intake of warm tea, which should be drunk immediately before going out. Unprotected areas of the body - the face needs to be protected with a special cream that does not contain allergens, preferably greasy. Bold protector will help the skin to maintain the desired level of moisture and avoid drying the epidermis. Contact with any cold matter, whether cold water or snow, should be excluded. If the rash, hyperemia has already appeared before the visit to the doctor, compresses from chamomile broth can be applied to the affected areas, covered with healing and emollient, and with low-fat baby cream. Papules, blisters should not be opened and generally touched, if the skin membrane is damaged, and the exudate began to stand out, you can treat these places with drying antiseptics, greenery.