Today, allergies in various forms are observed in 80% of people around the world. They can occur for various reasons, which must be taken into account when prescribing treatment. One of the varieties of allergic reactions is cold urticaria, which is currently found in one out of a thousand people. Therefore, few people know about this disease. But it is important to understand the causes of the pathology, its symptoms and treatment. This allergy occurs as a response to the effects of lower temperatures on the human body. It develops rapidly, has the appearance of a urticaria, which usually passes on its own after a while.
Description and description of the problem
Cold urticaria occurs due to an increased sensitivity of the body to the effects of cold, which manifests itself in the form of rashes (urticaria) or red spots in open areas of the body, accompanied by itching and swelling. This reaction occurs a few minutes after exposure to low temperatures. Rashes usually appear on the face, upper limbs. An allergic rash forms on the lips after drinking cold drinks. Rashes can be present for several hours, and then disappear on their own.
Pathology develops as a result of a violation of the reaction of blood vessels that are located in the surface layer of the skin. Low temperatures provoke mast cell degranulation, resulting in the release of histamine and various mediators.
In some cases, blisters appear on the skin, usually this occurs in the presence of other diseases in humans, for example, pathology of the thyroid gland or lupus erythematosus. With a hereditary disease, negative reactions on the skin usually occur on exposure to wind. In some cases, the disease is accompanied by headaches, increased blood pressure, and even Quincke's edema (with severe hypothermia).
The disease is most often diagnosed in women (both young and old), as well as in children older than 5 years. Most often, the pathology is chronic and practically does not respond to therapy.
Varieties of pathology
In medicine, it is customary to distinguish several types of this disease:
- Acute chronic pathology. Itching appears on exposed areas of the skin, followed by swelling and blisters on the skin. Then rashes, red spots form. In severe cases, the appearance of chills, pain in the joints and muscles, weakness. Such a pathology can be observed from a couple of weeks to several months.
- Recurrent urticaria. This species develops in the cold season (autumn, winter), as well as when exposed to cold water on the skin.
- Family (hereditary) pathology. It manifests itself in the form of a maculopapular rash, which forms half an hour after exposure to cold. In medicine, cases have been recorded when the disease developed 30 hours after the action of the cold. Rashes at the same time constantly itch.
- Reflex cold urticaria. Its appearance is caused by the occurrence of a local reaction to cold in the form of a rash around the area of the skin that has been cooled. In some cases, such a reaction can occur with hypothermia of the whole organism.
Causes of the disease
As you know, cold urticaria is an allergy to cold. But such a phenomenon, according to doctors, is not an independent disease, but a symptom of another ailment that has a somatic character. The human body gives such a reaction to the cold due to the fact that it is weakened by the presence of a latent disease, the causes of which have not been established. Some doctors tend to argue that the development of an allergic reaction is associated with the production of cryoglobulins in the body - special proteins that activate histamine, which causes allergies. The following provoking factors also contribute to this:
- Decreased immunity.
- Infectious and parasitic diseases.
- Chronic pathologies of an inflammatory nature.
- Disorder of the digestive tract.
- Long-term use of antibacterial and hormonal drugs.
- Genetic predisposition.
- Food allergy.
Therefore, doctors recommend treating not the manifestation of symptoms of pathology, but the underlying disease, which provokes the development of negative phenomena.
In most cases, cold urticaria (photo attached) develops in those who have chronic infections in the form of sinusitis, bronchitis, pyelonephritis, cholecystitis and so on. People with intestinal dysbiosis and impaired liver function are often also very sensitive to cold. Each person has a different degree of sensitivity to cold. For some, allergies develop at an air temperature of -20 ° C, for others - at -8 ° C, and for others, pathology can occur even when washing with cold water.
Symptoms and signs of pathology
Usually the symptoms of cold urticaria appear in the form of rashes and red spots (urticaria), which become pale when pressed on them. Rashes can occur from a few minutes to several months, depending on the form of the disease. Most often, the rash occurs on the face, hands, inner thighs and knees. With extensive damage, hypotension and collapse may occur. In severe cases, asthma, edema of the internal organs, chronic weakness and neurosis can develop. In addition, pathology is always accompanied by burning of the skin, a person constantly itches his skin.
Often the disease is masked by SARS, dermatitis and the common cold. Upon contact with cold, a person’s head, neck and face muscles begin to hurt, and nausea appears. Such phenomena can occur not only when exposed to subzero temperatures, but also when using cold drinks and food products.
In rare cases, Quincke's edema, anaphylactic shock, or laryngeal edema may develop. Typically, such phenomena occur with prolonged exposure to cold on people with high sensitivity to it.
Pathology begins to manifest itself in the fact that a person has itchy skin on his hands, which eventually becomes dry, becomes covered with cracks and rashes. In young women who wear thin tights in the cold season, rashes appear on the back of the knees and on the inside of the thighs. After the urticaria appeared, the face and limbs begin to swell, runny nose, itchy nose, sore throat, conjunctivitis, lacrimation, difficulty breathing, shortness of breath appears.
In children, cold urticaria appears on the face, in particular on the cheeks. The skin begins to redden, then there is a burning sensation and a rash in the form of herpes.
Often, this pathology occurs against the background of other diseases, for example, vitamin deficiency, VSD, thyroid disease, dermatitis, rhinitis. In this case, the disease will proceed in a more severe form.
Diagnosis of the disease
Cold urticaria, the photo of which is provided in this article, is diagnosed by an allergist. He studies the history of the disease, examines and interviews the patient. Further laboratory tests of blood and urine for cryoglobulin level are prescribed. Also, the doctor can prescribe such examination methods as feces analysis for the presence of worms, rheumatic tests, radiography, ultrasound of the abdominal cavity organs, ECG, skin biopsy, as well as a test for antithyroid antibodies. These studies are conducted to identify the causes of the development of pathology.
Cold urticaria: Duncan test
Be sure the allergist conducts a cold test. For this, a piece of ice is placed on the skin of the limb for 3 minutes. Then the skin condition is evaluated. In the presence of a cold reaction in the form of a rash, they speak of urticaria. If a minor rash appears on the body, then the patient is referred to a dermatologist for an additional examination.
After a comprehensive examination, during which the causes of the disease were identified, the doctor develops an individual therapy program.
What do you need to do first?
Usually, the treatment for cold urticaria is prescribed exactly the same as with any other type of allergy. The main thing to do is to eliminate contact with a provoking factor, that is, cold. In the winter season, it is recommended to wear clothes made from natural fabrics, to avoid hypothermia and prolonged exposure to the street. In case of hypothermia, it is recommended to take a hot bath or shower, to warm the limbs as much as possible.
Drug therapy
A drug that can completely cure this disease has not yet been invented. Therapy is aimed at eliminating only the symptoms of pathology. The doctor may prescribe the following drugs for cold urticaria:
- Antihistamines to block the release of histamine and eliminate the symptoms of the disease. This includes drugs such as Claritin, Suprastin, or Loratadin.
- Creams and ointments to eliminate discomfort on the skin, relieve swelling and redness. These drugs include Fenistil.
- Magnesium sulfate to relieve inflammation.
- Bronchodilators in case of bronchospasm.
- Immunosuppressants if hereditary cold urticaria is observed.
- In advanced and severe cases, "Omalizumab" or "Cyproheptodyne" are prescribed, which act more purposefully.
- Glucocorticosteroids and plasmapheresis to cleanse the blood of cryoglobulins.
To make the treatment process more effective and faster, the doctor recommends adjusting the diet, excluding citrus fruits, chocolate and smoked foods from the diet.
Alternative treatment
Alternative medicine can be used after consulting a doctor. The most effective tool in this case is a coniferous bath. To prepare such a bath, it is necessary to brew the branches of needles and add them to the water. A bath is taken for about 20 minutes, then the body is rinsed with clean water.
Blueberries also give a good effect. Of them make compresses that are applied to the affected areas of the skin to relieve inflammation and redness. The berries are pre-ground, applied to the skin and wrapped with a towel, hold the compress for about 5 minutes.
To relieve itching, a herbal emulsion is used. To do this, you need to take one spoonful of celandine, burdock and calendula, pour the mixture with vegetable oil and leave for 12 hours. Ready emulsion lubricate the affected areas 3 times a day.
For the treatment of children, mummies are often used. For this, 1 g is diluted in 1 liter of boiling water. This solution is used in 50 g at the age of 3 years, and 70 g at the age of 7 years. Adults can drink 100 g of the drug. You can also lubricate the affected areas of the body with this tool, but in this case, the mummy is diluted with 100 ml of boiling water.
Well-known juice of lemongrass. The affected areas are rubbed with this juice after the person has returned from the street to a warm room. This remedy helps eliminate itching and swelling. Celery juice also eliminates unpleasant symptoms. It must be consumed daily in the amount of half a teaspoon 3 times a day before meals.
Forecast and Prevention
Usually cold urticaria has favorable forecasts. In severe cases, the development of Quincke's edema or anaphylactic shock is possible, but this is extremely rare. The disease is treated on an outpatient basis, hospitalization is possible only in extremely severe cases.
In order to prevent, it is necessary to prevent hypothermia of the body. It is recommended to lubricate exposed skin with cream from the cold and always before going out. It is not recommended to wear synthetic and woolen clothing, as it provokes the development of the disease. If the disease begins to manifest, it is necessary to leave the street, warm up the limbs, take a hot bath.
Doctors recommend hardening the body in the summer. In this case, the water temperature must be reduced gradually. It is also important to eat right. In the diet you need to enter those foods that contain vitamin E. It is not recommended to eat cold foods and water. In the summer, you can swim in the ponds only near the shore.
Doctors do not recommend abusing antihistamines, since immunity to this group of drugs can develop. It is recommended that after the first year of use of such medicines, they should be consumed in a minimum dosage once every 7 days.
Adhering to all the rules and recommendations can significantly reduce the risk of developing cold urticaria. Those who know about the predisposition of their body to a similar disease can prevent its development. When the first symptoms appear, it is necessary to contact a medical institution, since only a doctor can prescribe an effective and efficient treatment that will help quickly get rid of skin rashes and redness.