Cold allergy

Low ambient temperatures are usually associated with a high probability of developing colds. It is with this cause-and-effect relationship that cold allergy is perceived as a symptomatic manifestation of colds or viral diseases - rhinitis, conjunctivitis, urticaria. However, there is one significant difference - the symptoms of cold allergy pass almost immediately after the cold temperatures cease to act, while colds continue to manifest themselves regardless of the temperature of the air or water.

Since the end of the last century, allergies have been one of the leading diseases among the most common diseases that occur in people of different ages. A large number of allergens that can provoke the human body to violent responses sometimes significantly complicates the precise determination of the true cause of an allergic reaction. For a long time, low temperatures could not be linked in any way to the occurrence of allergic reactions, but allergies to cold are quite common.

Why does cold allergy occur?

It is impossible to predict all possible reactions that may occur to the action of certain external factors in an organism in which all protective functions are weakened. Cold allergy, like any other type of allergy, develops due to a weakened immune system, chronic disorders in the gastrointestinal tract, and thyroid gland. The presence of minor foci of infection in the body that have a small but constant effect, for example, carious areas in the teeth, chronic, frequently and sluggishly recurring cholecystitis or pyelonephritis, can become an excellent platform for the addition of allergic reactions in the future.

The reasons for which one can with a high degree of probability suspect a predisposition of the body to allergies, in particular to such a condition as an allergy to cold, include vascular diseases, problems with the heart muscle, the presence in the anamnesis of acute viral infections, for example, lupus. Frequent interaction with chemicals in everyday life, these include various cleaning and washing agents - exposed areas of the body, especially the skin of the hands, become incredibly sensitive to strong irritants, which include low air and water temperatures.

Symptoms of cold allergy

Cold allergy has symptoms similar to many diseases of infectious etiology. In connection with this factor, several types of allergy are distinguished, which proceed according to the principle:

• urticaria;
• conjunctivitis;
• rhinitis;
• dermatitis.

Allergic cold urticaria is more common than other manifestations of cold allergy. Under the influence of cold, exposed areas of the body: hands, face, neck, - begin to become covered with reddish spots and itch slightly. The rapid addition of itching contributes to severe scratching and the appearance of blisters. Blisters are isolated, in severe cases they tend to merge, the skin, throughout the affected areas, is strongly hyperemic. The similarity with a nettle burn led to the birth of the name of this symptomatic manifestation of an allergic reaction.

Cold allergy, which occurs according to the principle of urticaria, passes after the effect of low temperatures ceases, within a few hours. In severe cases, in the presence of serious concomitant diseases, an allergic reaction to cold must be treated according to the basic principle provided for all types of allergies.

Allergic cold dermatitis differs from cold urticaria in that instead of blisters, a small rash and severe peeling of the skin appears.

The manifestation of signs of conjunctivitis and rhinitis, which occur only in cases of exposure to frosty air or cold water, and disappear without a trace after moving to a warm place, clearly indicates the cold nature of the origin of the allergic reaction.

Let's look at an example. While swimming in an open body of water, the water temperature of which is below the comfortable level, or taking a cold shower, the whites of the eyes turned red, profuse lacrimation appeared, accompanied by a burning sensation in the eyes. Water runs from the nose, or, conversely, nasal breathing is difficult due to its congestion. There are signs of the development of both conjunctivitis and rhinitis at the same time. But after the person drank a cup of tea and put on warm underwear, all the unpleasant symptoms went away on their own. After some time, the same water procedure is repeated with the immediate appearance of all the above symptoms. An attentive person will be able to quickly tie all the facts together and independently make a diagnosis - an allergy to cold.

How is cold allergy recognized?

One of the most accessible diagnostic methods that can confirm or refute the assumption of the cold nature of allergy is considered to be a skin reaction to a piece of ice. This method can be used at home, there will be no harm from it. You need a small piece of ice, which should be applied to the skin area and held until it melts completely. It is advisable to limit the waiting period to fifteen minutes. If during the experiment on the skin area that was exposed to cold, signs of an allergic reaction began to appear, such as: severe redness, with a rash or blisters, severe itching, turning into a burning sensation, in this case the diagnosis of cold allergy is obvious and is considered confirmed.

This diagnostic method should not be considered the only correct one. There are cases when a piece of ice did not give a positive result, but cryo proteins were found in the blood test, which are cryo antibodies confirming the predisposition to cold allergy. If you suspect an allergic predisposition, you should contact an allergist and undergo a full range of all available diagnostic methods.