Cold allergy treatment

Treatment of cold allergy depends on the stage of the immune response to the effects of temperature changes in the environment.

The stages of a standard allergic reaction may be as follows:

• Stage I of allergy is immunological. The body encounters an allergen for the first time, sensitization begins, that is, the production of antibodies.
• Stage II of allergy – formation of biologically active components – mediators involved in the immune response – acetylcholine, histamine, serotonin, heparin. Mediators provoke dilation of blood vessels and cause hyperemia (redness) of the skin.
• Stage III of allergy – obvious signs of an allergic reaction in the form of a widespread or localized rash, swelling, up to Quincke's edema and anaphylactic shock.

Cold allergy, the treatment of which differs from the therapy of other types of allergic reactions, is characterized by the fact that it always lacks the first stage, that is, the sensitization stage. Cold exposure immediately provokes the appearance of allergic mediators, most often histamine. Cold allergy (meteoallergy) develops in people with obvious or hidden diseases of internal organs, for example, chronic tonsillitis or pyelonephritis.

Treatment of cold allergy is primarily aimed at eliminating symptoms, which may be as follows:

1. Cold urticaria manifests itself as itching and a rash on the skin. The rash, in turn, is quite specific - the skin is covered with small blisters. Urticaria most often appears 5-10 minutes after the interaction of the supercooled organism with heat, that is, not in the frost itself, but after a person enters a warm room. In cold air, the vascular system reflexively narrows, slows down its work, in warm conditions the vessels expand too sharply. Also, urticaria can be provoked by specific proteins that activate their function when interacting with cold. Microbiologists have identified this protein and called it cryoglobulin. When supercooled, sensitive proteins seem to stick together and begin to secrete anaphylotoxin, which enters the skin through the bloodstream. Urticaria can be provoked by cold air temperature (frost), cold water, and even washing dishes or drinking cold drinks. The rash is most often localized on the face and hands, less often on the feet and inner thighs. A characteristic feature of cold urticaria is swelling near the eyes or mouth. Treatment of cold allergy consists of simply moving a person to a warmer place, even if there is a rash. You should also change into warmer, dry cotton clothes and drink a hot drink - tea, herbal infusion. If the allergic reaction does not go away, you can take the simplest, over-the-counter antihistamine - Claritin, Diazolin, Zodak. It is also recommended to use drugs that activate peripheral circulation, vitamins PP, C, A, E. Cold urticaria is diagnosed using an original test, named after its creator - the Duncan test. A small piece of ice is brought to the person's skin, checking how the skin will react. If small blisters appear in the area of local cooling, then cold allergy is diagnosed, the treatment of which is selected individually.
2. Allergic rhinitis, which is considered pseudoallergic in case of meteoallergy. This type of rhinitis is provoked only by cold exposure. Cold allergy treatment involves standard treatment in such cases - vasoconstrictor nasal drops before going outside. Drops will not get rid of a runny nose completely, but will significantly reduce the amount of mucous discharge. Allergists also advise for preventive purposes to perform acupressure of biologically active points of the face.
3. Cold dermatitis, which is characterized by the appearance of fairly large reddish spots all over the body. Obviously, the release of histamine disrupts the nutrition of the skin and dermatitis develops. Most often, spots cover areas of the body exposed to the cold - the face, arms, neck, less often cold dermatitis is visible on the back or stomach. A characteristic feature of these manifestations is the fact that in the warmth the spots do not disappear, but on the contrary, become more pronounced. The skin dries out, peels, blisters appear. Treatment of cold allergy of this type is carried out by an allergist and dermatologist. As a rule, corticosteroids are prescribed both in tablet form and in the form of ointments. The patient's clothing should be made only of natural materials, preferably loose-fitting. Baths with the addition of a decoction of celandine, chamomile, string are indicated. Antihistamines are usually prescribed at the initial stage of treatment, but they are ineffective.
4. Allergic cold cheilitis or inflammation of the lips. The edges of the lips are very hyperemic, itchy, sometimes covered with small blisters. Treatment of cold allergy with such manifestations can consist of both taking antihistamines and applying special hygienic creams, which are called cryocreams. If cheilitis is accompanied by a bacterial infection, which is not uncommon, since allergic papules often burst and become infected, local antibacterial therapy is carried out. The so-called "angular cheilitis" is more a manifestation of a herpes infection than a cold allergy, and accordingly, they require different treatment - immunomodulatory.
5. Allergic conjunctivitis, which is called pseudoallergic in case of meteoallergy. In the cold, the eyes water a lot, since the cold provokes a narrowing of the sensitive nasolacrimal canal. Physiologically, a certain amount of mucous secretion is constantly produced in the nasopharynx, in case of cold allergy it is not able to penetrate into the right place - the nasopharynx, but flows through the eyelids into the eyes. Treatment of cold allergy, manifested by conjunctivitis, is not carried out with the help of standard vasoconstrictor ophthalmic drops, they can only aggravate the symptoms. The simplest remedy = to leave the cold area and move to a warm room, in the warmth, lacrimation soon stops. Also, if meteoallergy is detected, you should not use eye cosmetics and, if possible, do not wear contact lenses. Lenses on an inflamed eyeball can cause real conjunctivitis or inflammation of the cornea. Sunglasses or glasses with a UV filter will help.
6. Cold allergy can manifest itself in the form of symptoms similar to those of migraine. Cold migraine or pseudohemicrania is characterized not only by a headache, but also by a feeling of frozen jaws - they literally "twist" from the cold. If timely measures are not taken and cold allergy is not treated, a person's trigeminal nerve may become inflamed. In addition to antihistamines, common sense is needed, which suggests that when going out into the cold, you need to take care of a warm headdress, preferably covering your ears. Also, in cold air, you should not drink chilled drinks or ice cream.
7. Shortness of breath and respiratory spasm. Cold allergy can indeed cause bronchospasm, in which the airways narrow too sharply and actively. Such hyperreactivity of the bronchial tree often indicates the onset of bronchial asthma. Treatment of cold allergy, which is accompanied by respiratory disorders, should be carried out comprehensively by a pulmonologist and allergist. Independent preventive measures include covering the nose and mouth with a warm scarf, and breathing in the cold should be done only through the nose.

Cold allergy treatment is quite long, it all depends on how timely a person consults a doctor. In addition, the etiology of cold allergy is still being clarified, just a few years ago such a diagnosis was not made at all, since meteoallergy is not provoked by a specific allergen. Most often, women suffer from cold allergy, the first signs of the disease can appear at a young age - from 20 to 25 years. Cold allergy is treated throughout the cold season, a gentle hypoallergenic diet is also indicated, excluding from the menu all citrus fruits, fried, spicy or smoked dishes, red wine, hard cheeses, nuts, eggs. Cold allergy, the treatment of which does not have a universal standard scheme, is extremely insidious and its manifestations can constantly change. It is believed that this type of allergy can be in people with reduced immunity, so it would not be superfluous to carry out immunomodulatory therapy. Autolymphocyte therapy or autohemotherapy is also a progressive method. During lymphocyte therapy, specially treated lymphocytes obtained from the patient's blood are introduced into the body. The treated lymphocytes are capable of not only reducing the intensity of allergic reactions, but also, in principle, teaching the body to adequately perceive cold exposure. The course of autolymphocyte therapy lasts for a month, then after three months it must be repeated.