Causes of Cold Allergies and Prevention

Cold allergy or in medical terms is called cold urticaria is a skin reaction to cold that causes the appearance of itching rash and the skin becomes reddish.

The severity of cold allergy symptoms that appear in each person is different. Some people may lose consciousness, have very low blood pressure, and even the worst can cause death

Teen age is the age most commonly affected by cold allergies, but usually disappears completely within a few years.

Symptoms of Cold Allergies (Cold Urticaria)
Usually cold allergy symptoms appear when the skin is exposed to cold water or cold weather (below 4 degrees Celsius). Cold allergy is also more risky to appear in conditions that are windy and humid. Here are some cold allergy symptoms that can occur.

• The hand feels swollen when holding a cold object.
• Appearing hives that itch on the skin area exposed to cold air.
• Lips and throat feel swollen when eating cold food or drink.
• Reddish skin.

Allergic reactions are usually most severe when the entire body is exposed to cold temperatures, such as when swimming in cold water. The reactions can potentially endanger life, such as swelling of the throat and tongue making breathing difficult, blood pressure dropped dramatically, heart palpitations, fainting, and swelling of the arms and legs.

In general, cold allergies will disappear by itself after several weeks or months, but some are lasting longer. If the throat or tongue feels swollen, feeling dizzy, and difficulty breathing, see a doctor immediately.

Cold Allergy Causes (Cold Urticaria)

Cold allergic reactions occur when the release of histamine and other chemicals into the bloodstream triggered by cold weather. Some things are thought to be the cause of cold allergies, including genetic factors have too sensitive skin cells, viruses or certain diseases. But the exact cause why the body reacts so to the cold is unknown.

There are several factors that can increase the risk of cold allergies, namely:

1. Children and teenagers. This age is most often exposed to cold allergies and usually improves by itself in a few years.
2. Certain basic diseases. There are some health problems or diseases, such as cancer or hepatitis which increase the risk of cold allergies.
3. Infection. Those who have recently had infections such as pneumonia or pneumonia are at higher risk of cold allergies.
4. Genetics. There are children who inherit this disease from their parents, but this is very rare.

Diagnosis of Cold Allergies (Cold Urticaria)

To diagnose cold allergy is easy, simply by putting ice cubes on the skin for five minutes. If after a while after moving ice cubes appear red bumps, then you suffer from a cold allergy.

In some cases where cold urticaria is suspected to be caused by another disease, your doctor may suggest additional tests of blood or other tests.

Cold Allergic Treatment (Cold Urticaria)

There is no cure for cold allergy. Treatment is given to reduce the symptoms of the disease and prevent symptoms from occurring in the future. Treatment is usually given by the doctor is with antihistamine drug classes. However, regular doses of antihistamines are known to be ineffective, so more helpful are high-dose non-sedative antihistamines.

Commonly prescribed medications are:

1. Omalizumab. These drugs are usually used to treat asthma, but can also cure some people with cold urticaria.
2. Antihistamines (eg fexofenadine and desloratadine). These drugs inhibit histamine substances in the body that produce allergic symptoms.
3. Cyproheptadine, an anthistamine drug that works by inhibiting nerve reactions that lead to cold allergy symptoms.
4. Doxepin. These drugs are commonly used to treat anxiety and depression and are known to alleviate cold allergy symptoms.

Cold Allergic Prevention (Cold Urticaria)

Prevention of cold allergies can be done with some things like below.

1. Avoid eating cold foods and drinks to prevent swelling of the throat.
2. Consumption of drugs as prescribed by a doctor.
3. Tell your doctor or medic if you are going to have surgery to prevent cold allergy symptoms in the operating room.
4. Before exposure to cold weather, it is advisable to take antihistamines.
5. Protect your skin from drastically decreased temperatures or cold weather.
6. Bring an adrenaline injection wherever you go to anticipate if an anaphylactic reaction occurs.

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