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 currently occurs in one person in a thousand. 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 low temperatures on the human body. It develops quickly, has the appearance of urticaria, which usually resolves on its own after a while.
Characteristics and description of the problem
Cold urticaria occurs due to the increased sensitivity of the body to the effects of cold, which manifests itself in the form of rashes (urticaria) or red spots on exposed areas of the body, accompanied by itching and swelling. This reaction occurs a few minutes after exposure to low temperatures. The rash usually appears on the face, upperlimbs. On the lips, an allergic rash is formed after drinking cold drinks. Rashes may 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, which are located in the surface layer of the skin. Low temperatures provoke degranulation of mast cells, 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 a person, such as thyroid disease 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, an increase in 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 untreatable.
Varieties of pathology
In medicine, it is customary to distinguish several types of this disease:
- Acute-chronic pathology. Exposed areas of the skin will itch, then swelling and blisters on the skin. Then rashes, red spots are formed. In severe cases, chills, joint and muscle pain, and weakness may occur. Such a pathology can be observed from a couple of weeks to several months.
- Recurrent urticaria. Thisthe species develops in the cold season (autumn, winter), as well as when the skin is exposed to cold water.
- Family (hereditary) pathology. It manifests itself in the form of a maculopapular rash that forms half an hour after exposure to cold. In medicine, cases have been recorded when the disease developed 30 hours after exposure to cold. The rashes are constantly itchy.
- 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 \u200b\u200bthe skin that was cooled. In some cases, such a reaction may occur when the whole body is hypothermic.
Causes of disease development
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 inflammatory pathologies.
- Disorder of the digestive tract.
- Prolonged use of antibacterial and hormonal drugs.
- Geneticpredisposition.
- Food allergy.
Therefore, doctors recommend treating not the manifestation of the symptoms of pathology, but the underlying disease that 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. Also, people with intestinal dysbacteriosis and impaired liver function often have a high sensitivity 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, the manifestation of pathology is possible even when washing with cold water.
Symptoms and signs of pathology
Usually, the symptoms of cold urticaria are rashes and red spots (urticaria) that turn pale when pressed on. Rashes can be observed from several minutes to several months, depending on the form of the disease. The rash most commonly occurs on the face, arms, inner thighs, and knees. With extensive damage, hypotension and collapse may occur. In severe cases, asthma, swelling of the internal organs, chronic weakness and neurosis can develop. In addition, the pathology is always accompanied by burning of the skin, the person constantly itches the skin.
Often the disease is disguised as SARS, dermatitis and the common cold. Upon contact with cold, a person begins to ache in the head, muscles of the neck and face,nausea occurs. Such phenomena can occur not only when exposed to sub-zero air temperatures, but also when consuming cold drinks and foods.
In rare cases, Quincke's edema, anaphylactic shock, or laryngeal edema may develop. Usually such phenomena occur with prolonged exposure to cold for people with high sensitivity to it.
Pathology begins to appear with the fact that a person itches the skin on his hands, which eventually becomes dry, covered with cracks and rashes. In young women who wear thin tights during the cold season, rashes appear on the back of the knees and on the inside of the thighs. After the urticaria has appeared, the face and limbs begin to swell, a runny nose, itchy nose, sore throat, conjunctivitis, lacrimation appear, breathing becomes difficult, shortness of breath appears.
Children develop cold urticaria on the face, particularly on the cheeks. The skin begins to redden, then a burning sensation and a rash in the form of herpes appear.
Often this pathology occurs against the background of other diseases, for example, beriberi, VVD, thyroid disease, dermatitis, rhinitis. In this case, the disease will proceed in a more severe form.
Diagnosis of 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 blood and urine tests are prescribed for the level of cryoglobulin. The doctor may alsoprescribe such examination methods as fecal analysis for the presence of worms, rheumatic tests, radiography, ultrasound of the abdominal organs, ECG, skin biopsy, and a test for antithyroid antibodies. These studies are carried out to identify the causes of the development of pathology.
Cold urticaria: Duncan test
Be sure the allergist conducts a cold test. To do this, a piece of ice is placed on the skin of the limb for 3 minutes. Then the condition of the skin is assessed. 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, 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 should I do first?
Usually, the treatment for cold urticaria is exactly the same as for any other type of allergy. The main thing to do is to eliminate contact with the 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
No such drug has yet been invented that can completely cure this disease. Therapy is aimed at eliminating only the symptoms of pathology. Doctormay 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 there is hereditary cold urticaria.
- In advanced and severe cases, Omalizumab or Cyproheptodine are prescribed, which act more purposefully.
- Glucocorticosteroids and plasmapheresis to cleanse the blood of cryoglobulins.
To make the treatment process more efficient and faster, the doctor recommends adjusting the diet, excluding citrus fruits, chocolate and smoked meats from the diet.
Unconventional treatment
Traditional medicine can be used after consulting a doctor. The most effective remedy in this case is a coniferous bath. To prepare such a bath, you need to brew branches of needles and add them to the water. The bath is taken for about 20 minutes, then the body is rinsed with clean water.
Also, blueberries give a good effect. Compresses are made from them, which are applied to the affected areas of the skin to relieve inflammation and redness. The berries are pre-rubbed, applied to the skin and wrapped in a towel, the compress is kept for about 5 minutes.
To relieve itchingapply herbal emulsion. 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. The finished emulsion lubricates the affected areas 3 times a day.
Mumiyo is often used to treat children. For this, 1 g is diluted in 1 liter of boiling water. This solution is consumed by 50 g at the age of up to 3 years, and 70 g at the age of up to 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.
Lemongrass juice has proven itself well. The affected areas are wiped with this juice after the person has returned from the street to a warm room. This remedy helps to eliminate itching and swelling. Also well eliminates unpleasant symptoms of celery juice. It should be consumed daily in the amount of half a teaspoon 3 times a day before meals.
Forecast and prevention
Usually, cold urticaria has a favorable prognosis. In severe cases, angioedema or anaphylactic shock may develop, but this is extremely rare. The disease is treated on an outpatient basis, hospitalization is possible only in extremely severe cases.
For the purpose of prevention, it is necessary to prevent hypothermia of the body. Open areas of the skin are recommended to be lubricated with a cream from the cold and always before going outside. It is not recommended to wear synthetic and woolen clothing, as it provokes the development of the disease. If the disease began to appear,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 temperature of the water must be reduced gradually. It is also important to eat right. In the diet, you need to introduce those foods that contain vitamin E. It is not recommended to eat cold foods and water. In summer, you can swim in the reservoirs only near the shore.
Doctors do not recommend the abuse of antihistamines, as immunity to this group of drugs can develop. It is recommended that after the first year of using such medications, use them at a minimum dosage of 1 time in 7 days.
Adhering to all the rules and recommendations, you can significantly reduce the risk of developing cold urticaria. Those who know about the predisposition of their body to such a disease can prevent its development. When the first symptoms appear, you must contact a medical institution, since only a doctor can prescribe an effective and efficient treatment that will help you quickly get rid of the rash and redness on the skin.
