UNDERSTANDING COLD ALLERGIES
Cold Allergy or - in medical terms - called Cold Urticaria is a skin reaction to cold that causes itchy welts to appear and the skin becomes red in color.
The severity of cold allergy symptoms that appear in each person is different. Some people can lose consciousness, experience very low blood pressure, and even the worst can cause death.
Adolescence is the age most often affected by cold allergies, but usually it will disappear completely within a few years.
SYMPTOMS OF COLD ALLERGY (Cold Urticaria)
Cold allergy symptoms usually appear when the skin is exposed to cold water or cold weather. Cold allergies are also more at risk in windy and humid conditions. The following are some of the symptoms of a cold allergy that can occur
- When holding a cold object, the hand feels swollen.
- Itchy welts appear.
- When consuming cold food or drinks, the lips and throat feel swollen.
- Reddish skin.
- As the skin becomes warmer, the symptoms get worse.
In more severe cases, potentially life-threatening symptoms may occur such as swelling of the throat and tongue making it difficult to breathe, as well as anaphylactic reactions that can cause blood pressure to drop dramatically, heart palpitations, fainting, swelling of the arms and legs ortorso.
Anaphylaxis is a body reaction that occurs due to hypersensitivity to an allergy-triggering element.
People with cold allergies who swim in cold water to expose their entire skin to cold water, can experience a severe reaction that can lead to loss of consciousness and drowning.
In general, cold allergies will go away on their own after a few weeks or months, but some last longer. If your throat or tongue feels swollen, feels dizzy, and has difficulty breathing, see a doctor immediately.
CAUSES OF COLD ALLERGY (Cold Urticaria)
Cold allergic reactions occur due to the release of histamine and other chemicals into the bloodstream triggered by cold weather. However, the exact reason why the body reacts this way to cold is not known.
There are several factors that can increase the risk of developing a cold allergy, namely:
- Children and teenagers. They are the age most affected by cold allergies and usually get better on their own within a few years.
- Certain underlying diseases. There are several health disorders or diseases, such as cancer or hepatitis that increase the risk of developing cold allergies.
- Infection. Those who have recently had an infection such as pneumonia or pneumonia are more at risk of developing a cold allergy.
- Genetics. There are children who inherit this disease from their parents, but this is very rare.
DIAGNOSIS OF COLD ALLERGY (Cold Urticaria)
Diagnosing a cold allergy is very easy, just put an ice cube on the skin for five minutes. If after a while after moving the ice cubes appear red bumps, then you have a cold allergy.
COLD ALLERGY TREATMENT (Cold Urticaria)
There is no medicine that can cure cold allergies, but treatment to prevent or reduce the symptoms of this disease can be done by taking antihistamines.
In addition, you can consult with your doctor to ask for prescription drugs that suit you. Some prescription medications that can be used to treat cold allergies are cyproheptadine, omalizumab, and doxepin.
PREVENTION OF COLD ALLERGY (Cold Urticaria)
Prevention of cold allergies can be done by several things as below.
- To prevent swelling of the throat, avoid consuming cold foods and drinks.
- Take medication as prescribed by the doctor.
- Tell your doctor or medical officer if you are going to have surgery to prevent cold allergy symptoms from developing in the operating room.
- Before exposure to cold weather, it is advisable to take an antihistamine.
- Protect skin from temperature drops or cold weather.
- Carry an adrenaline shot with you wherever you go to prevent an anaphylactic reaction from occurring.