Hand allergy to cold is a rather rare and not fully understood phenomenon, the exact causes of which have not yet been clarified. Doctors only know that the hypersensitivity of the human body to cryoglobulin (its own protein), which, when exposed to low temperatures, begins to change, is to blame for this disease. This process causes the so-called cold urticaria.
This disease is especially activated in winter, when the air temperature drops below zero. However, sometimes hand allergy to cold worries patients even in the summer season (with sudden hypothermia, after swimming in cool water, etc.).
Definition of concept
Under the cold urticaria understand an allergic reaction that manifests itself in open areas of the body. These are rashes in the form of red spots caused by exposure to low temperatures.
Despite the fact that thisthe disease is called an allergy, it has nothing to do with a real allergic reaction. Frost, dampness and cold are physical factors, not a sensitizing agent.
Causes of pathology
Doctors are sure that hand allergy to cold is not an independent pathology. This is just one of the symptoms of any somatic disease. The reaction in the form of urticaria is manifested by the body, weakened by the latent and prolonged course of the disease.
As mentioned above, the culprit for the manifestation of hand skin allergy to cold is a special protein (cryoglobulin), and low temperature serves as a trigger. The course of the whole process is given by various predisposing factors in the form of a decrease in immunity, as well as the presence of parasitic, colds and infectious diseases.
Another reason that a person is allergic to cold hands is problems with the digestive system in the form of cholecystitis, chronic gastritis or ulcers. But experts are sure that in addition to these and many other chronic ailments, they can cause the body to react to a decrease in ambient temperature.
For children, cold allergies most often develop as a continuation of food allergies.
Causes of urticaria
Allergy to cold on the hands (see photo below) has a rather complex mechanism of appearance and development, which modern medicine is not yet able to fully figure out.
However, there are certain factors that trigger her symptoms. They are:
- contact with cold water that occurs in everyday life while washing dishes or when cleaning, as well as when swimming in natural reservoirs;
- a sharp transition of a person from an environment with normal temperature conditions to a windy environment with low air temperature;- eating too cold food or drinks.
All these factors work only if the human body has a weakened immune system.
Symptoms of pathology
Hand allergies to cold are often disguised as dermatitis. That is why it is very difficult to distinguish it from this disease. An allergy to cold on the hands (see photo below) begins with a simple scratching of the skin. Then the hands become dry. The skin on them becomes coarse and covered with small cracks. Then there are rashes like urticaria. After that, the hands swell.
In addition to urticaria with its dense pinkish-red rashes, blisters can also appear on the skin. Their formation is accompanied by an unpleasant burning sensation and itching. Most often, a cold allergy on the hands resembles nettle burns, for which, in fact, it got its second name.
The body can show more enhanced reactions. This happens when cold rain or snow hits the surface of the skin. At the same time, the hands are covered with red edematous vesicles filled withclear liquid. All these symptoms become pronounced immediately after warming the chilled areas of the skin. Then gradually they disappear, and already after 30-60 minutes the skin becomes clean. In some cases, rashes persist for a week, and sometimes longer.
Also, a person who is predisposed to an allergy to cold, after going out into the cold, begins to sneeze. At the same time, he also has a runny nose. Such symptoms are associated with mucosal damage. All this causes difficulty in the respiratory function.
The reaction of the body to low temperature sometimes manifests itself as an allergy to cold on the hands and eyes. At the same time, the organs of vision turn red, starting to tear and itch. At the same time, swelling of the area around the eyes and eyelids appears. Often it becomes painful for a person to look at. He has itchy eyes and other discomforts that are worse in bright daylight.
Cold allergy on the hands is determined by some additional features. These include:
- shortness of breath;
- headaches;
- general malaise;
- pressure drops.
Such manifestations bring a person great discomfort and contribute to the appearance of irritability in him, and also reduce efficiency.
Cold urticaria in children
Redness of the baby's hands when going outside may well be a natural reaction of the body. It is possible to distinguish cold urticaria only if the child complains of itching that torments him in the places of the rash. But in any case, you need to consult a doctorallergist.
Reaction to cold occurs in children:
- while walking in cold seasons;
- when swimming in the pool;- when in contact with cold water, as well as when eating ice cream.
Types of low temperature allergies
Cold urticaria can be:
1. Acute or chronic. This form of pathology begins with intense itching of open areas of the skin, sometimes spreading to the entire body. Further, edema occurs in the lesions, manifested in the form of blisters. In acute pathology, individual areas of the skin are covered with intense red rashes, similar to a nettle sting. Severe forms of the disease are accompanied by general malaise, muscle and joint pain, increased heart rate and severe weakness. Such exacerbations last for several weeks, and sometimes they can disturb a person during the entire cold period.
2. Recurrent. This form appears only in autumn, winter and early spring. At other times, it is aggravated by skin contact with cold water.
3. Reflex. This form of allergy is a local or general reaction of the body to the cold. Its manifestations are a rash that has arisen in the zone of direct contact with low temperatures.
4. Family. This is a rare form of allergy that is transmitted to humans by genus. This pathology is characterized by a maculopapular rash, accompanied by burning. This reaction occurs 0.5-3 hours after contact with cold. Symptoms of familial urticaria are joint pain and chills, as well as periodic manifestationsfever.
5. Cold erythema. The manifestation of this type of pathology is accompanied by reddening of the skin with pronounced painful sensations in the affected areas.
6. Cold dermatitis. The skin with this form of the disease is very flaky and itchy. With the aggravation of the pathology, edema is also observed.
Cold Urticaria Test
All the above symptoms should not be confused with the body's natural defense against wind and cold, which do not cause much discomfort to a person and quickly disappear in a warm room. But at the same time, it is important for both the patient and the doctor to determine in a timely manner the nature of the reaction to cold. To do this, you can go through a complex examination, which uses special equipment. But there are simple ways that are applicable even at home.
So, you can put a piece of ice on the elbow bend for 10-15 minutes. If at the same time urticaria appears, then this indicates a predisposition of the body to cold allergies. But if you have any doubts, it is still better to consult a doctor. After all, to accurately determine allergies, you will need a blood test.
Treatment
What to do for those who have an allergy to the skin on their hands? The symptoms and treatment are well known to those skilled in the art. However, the answer that doctors give does not always suit patients. Doctors will recommend completely eliminating exposure to the allergen, that is, frost and cold. And to do this is almost impossible. But in any case, those who suffer fromwinter allergies, you will need to wear warm clothes made from natural fabrics outside and try to avoid hypothermia.
It should also take into account the fact that the degree of sensitivity in each person is an individual indicator. Some suffer from an allergic reaction already at minus 8-10 degrees, while others - at minus 24-28. There are also people who have redness on the skin already when washing with cool water. In addition to warnings, there are many means, the use of which will significantly reduce the consequences of pathology.
Drug use
If a person has an allergy to cold hands, the treatment of this disease will be similar to the elimination of a true allergy. Of the medications, antihistamines such as Claritin, Tavegil and Suprastin are prescribed. It should be borne in mind that some drugs produce a hypnotic effect, and, therefore, they are forbidden to be used before performing work that requires speed of reaction or concentration. In severe cases, the doctor may prescribe some immunosuppressants, as well as plasmapheresis to cleanse the blood of glucocorticosteroids, cryoglobulins.
Often, cold allergy is a manifestation of chronic infection with sinusitis or bronchitis, tonsillitis or pyelonephritis. Bad teeth can also provoke its manifestation. In this case, the doctor should prescribe appropriate drugs to eliminate these ailments.
Predisposition toallergies, including those to cold, are people with impaired bowel and liver function. In these cases, the treatment of the underlying disease will eliminate the unpleasant symptoms.
It is also worth remembering that those who have an allergy to the skin on their hands (symptoms and treatment of pathology are the subject of our attention) should be under constant medical supervision, since the reaction of the body is individual for each patient.
Using ointments
When diagnosing "cold allergy", creams sold in the pharmacy chain are sometimes used. However, their use will require prior consultation with a specialist.
How to treat an allergy to cold on the hands? To eliminate unpleasant symptoms, you should pay attention to antihistamines for external use. These include ointment for allergies to cold on the hands of "Gistan N", as well as "Skin Cap". Only the fact that these funds contain a hormonal substance should be taken into account.
With the help of La Cree ointment, allergy to cold on the hands (symptoms) can be effectively eliminated. And the treatment reviews are generally characterized as effective. However, the "La Cree" ointment also has some contraindications. It cannot be used by those patients who are allergic to the herbs contained in it. Some patients with the manifestations of urticaria are perfectly helped by a regular baby cream or some kind of greasy cream.
When deciding the question "How to cure an allergy to cold on the hands?" do not forget about the aids that will saveskin from irritation.
Treatment of children
Children are very uncomfortable with cold allergies. The red spots and rashes that appear on their hands after a winter walk are itchy and can even become inflamed. Such a child should be taken out for walks less often in cold weather, and when visiting the street, dress him correctly and lubricate his hands with baby cream.
As for antihistamines, they can be given to a child only as prescribed by a doctor. At the same time, the baby needs not only to be treated, but also to strengthen his immunity.
Use of folk remedies
Nature has given us many natural products that can be used to eliminate allergies to cold hands (symptoms). And treatment in adults (as well as in children) will be safe and quite effective.
So, raspberry is a great folk remedy. Its dry and crushed roots in the amount of 50 g should be poured with 0.5 liters of water, and then darkened for 30-40 minutes over low heat. The broth thus obtained is cooled and filtered. Drink the drug should be 2 tbsp. spoons in the morning, in the afternoon and at bedtime. The course of treatment with raspberries is two months. Such a decoction can also be used for prevention purposes. In this case, it should be drunk two months before the onset of cold weather.
Red beets and sunflower seeds help with allergies. These products must be eaten in winter in any quantity and in all forms. Effective from the disease is freshly squeezed beet juice. It should be drunk three times a day for half a glass. Help with allergies andfreshly squeezed celery juice. It is taken in 0.5 teaspoons three times a day before meals.
A solution prepared from 1 g of mummy and 1 liter of boiling water perfectly helps with cold allergy symptoms. Raw materials dissolved in water without sediment are recommended for adults 100 ml in the morning, 50 ml for children, and 70 ml for younger students. The same drug, only at a higher concentration (1 g per 100 ml), is recommended as an external agent. They lubricate the skin of the hands.
Folk healers recommend using blueberries as well. They should be rubbed and applied as a compress to the lesions.
In order to eliminate dryness, peeling, itching and redness of the skin in children with cold allergies, a solution is prepared from pine shoots in vegetable oil. For this, raw materials are pre-prepared. Pine shoots should only be young. They are taken in a 1:1 ratio to vegetable oil and the mixture is infused for five months in a dark place. The resulting drug is rubbed into the child's skin.
Allergic edema is perfectly eliminated by drinking birch sap. This drink is an excellent general tonic, which also regulates the water-s alt metabolism in the body, while producing a mild diuretic effect. You can consume juice in any quantity, but for an adult it should not exceed one liter per day, and for children - from 200 to 500 ml (depending on age).
If, when returning from a cold street to a warm room, a person is hauntedsevere itching caused by a cold allergy, hands and other parts of the body can be gently rubbed with lemongrass juice.
