Cold Urticaria (Cold Hives)

[mommymonster]

I have cold urticaria. Basically, it means if I get really chilled, I break out in hives. This is a relatively new thing, and it's pretty annoying. I tend to wear socks and a hoodie most of the time, which usually prevents the worst of the hives. My worst times are in the winter when the air is both cold and damp (we live in the Pacific Northwest, and there's a ton of cold and damp days).  We're planning to move to Wisconsin, which has me excited and concerned on a lot of levels. I've not been in Wisconsin during the winter when the cold urticaria has been an issue. Does anyone else deal with this and live in the Midwest? How do you cope during the winter? 

[lollie010]

We live in the southeast so no comparison on the temps, but my DH has cold urticaria and it's miserable for him. Cold damp air is the trigger--even temps in the 40s cause problems. His is accompanied by a drop in blood pressure and he's actually passed out before. The doctor cautions him about cold water lakes and pools. :( He carries benedryl and should carry an epi, but doesn't always. I'm sorry you are dealing with this!

[happi duck]

I hope you hear from a Wisconsin boardie!

 

I've lived in the pnw and the Midwest (though not wi). Ime, the Midwest is dry in the winter just colder.

 

I prefer cold and dry to milder and damp.

 

I hope you get some answers and that ultimately your move is great.

 

(hugs)

[ErinE]

I have this. For many years, I lived close to the Canadian border so I needed to be prepared to stop an outbreak.

 

Wear socks and slippers inside the house. Once an outbreak starts, it was tough for me to calm down my body's reaction so keeping every part of me warm was important.

 

Wear layers, especially thermal underwear. When it was bitterly cold, I wore thermal underwear everyday. I also wore fleeces over my regular clothes. Sweaters weren't enough to keep me warm.

 

When you are outside, hat, gloves, and scarves are just as important as a good jacket. I grew up in the Deep South so it took me awhile to learn that something around your neck can make being outdoors much more pleasant.

 

Use heavy lotion every day, especially on your legs and arms. The reaction was worse if my skin was dry.

 

Take Benadryl if you have a flare-up. Do all the above to prevent the hives, but if they appear, Benadryl will help calm the reaction.

 

I spent a lot of time outdoors and was only bothered by the hives when I didn't adequately prepare.

[MercyA]

I actually know someone who lives in Wisconsin and had this. During one attack, she felt her throat start to close up, dialed 911, and passed out. She was home alone. Thanks be to God, the EMT's arrived in time. I believe she had to take prophylactic antihistamines for a while and carry an epi-pen with her. I think extreme changes in temperature were most dangerous for her. Thankfully, it's a condition that usually doesn't last for ever, and as far as I know she is pretty much over it.

[ktgrok]

Hmm...would taking allergy medicine daily, like people do for say, pollen allergies, help? 

[gardenmom5]

have you had a thorough check-up to look for any nutritional deficiencies?  and by someone who will actually "look".

 

read up on how to dress for cold. there are several things to look for, types of layers, types of fibers, etc., but you will stay warm.

 

not all hives are allergy related.  antihistamines don't do much, if anything, for those.  the rec'd antihistamine for allergy hives is actually Zyrtec, not benadryl.

[mommymonster]

I have this. For many years, I lived close to the Canadian border so I needed to be prepared to stop an outbreak.

 

Wear socks and slippers inside the house. Once an outbreak starts, it was tough for me to calm down my body's reaction so keeping every part of me warm was important.

 

Wear layers, especially thermal underwear. When it was bitterly cold, I wore thermal underwear everyday. I also wore fleeces over my regular clothes. Sweaters weren't enough to keep me warm.

 

When you are outside, hat, gloves, and scarves are just as important as a good jacket. I grew up in the Deep South so it took me awhile to learn that something around your neck can make being outdoors much more pleasant.

 

Use heavy lotion every day, especially on your legs and arms. The reaction was worse if my skin was dry.

 

Take Benadryl if you have a flare-up. Do all the above to prevent the hives, but if they appear, Benadryl will help calm the reaction.

 

I spent a lot of time outdoors and was only bothered by the hives when I didn't adequately prepare.

 

ErinE, Thank you so much for your response! I'm sorry you deal with this, but your advice is super helpful. I have had super dry skin this summer, so I'm going to try slathering on the lotion. I had a crazy flare up yesterday, and would love to try to calm my skin down. It's great to know that I should be able to be outdoors as long as I prepare. Thank you again!

 

I actually know someone who lives in Wisconsin and had this. During one attack, she felt her throat start to close up, dialed 911, and passed out. She was home alone. Thanks be to God, the EMT's arrived in time. I believe she had to take prophylactic antihistamines for a while and carry an epi-pen with her. I think extreme changes in temperature were most dangerous for her. Thankfully, it's a condition that usually doesn't last for ever, and as far as I know she is pretty much over it.

 

Well that's pretty much terrifying! I am wondering about temperature changes at this point. We don't really get "cold" in the part of Oregon we live in. It's mostly on the chilly side of things. I guess I'll need to practice keeping warm, which is going to be great? You mention that it didn't last forever for your friend. Do you know if she did anything to lessen her reactions (supplements, medicine, whatever)?

 

 

 

have you had a thorough check-up to look for any nutritional deficiencies?  and by someone who will actually "look".

 

read up on how to dress for cold. there are several things to look for, types of layers, types of fibers, etc., but you will stay warm.

 

not all hives are allergy related.  antihistamines don't do much, if anything, for those.  the rec'd antihistamine for allergy hives is actually Zyrtec, not benadryl.

 

Gardenmom5, the thought of a nutritional deficiency is interesting -- I'd love to be able to eat, or supplement, this problem away. That being said, I do think I'm going to have to learn to "dress for success", or at least some serious warmth. 

[sgo95]

My DH had this a few years ago. One February, he got a bad cold, followed by the whole family getting the stomach flu, followed by another bad cold.  After he recovered, he discovered that when his skin was exposed to the cold, he would break out in hives.  Even if he was in a warm house, but holding a cold bowl of ice cream, his hands would puff up.  He talked to his doctor and was told his immune system had probably been very stressed and gone a little haywire?.  Also she said the cold urticaria might last forever, or it might just go away on its own.  We lived in the Philly area and he had to cover as much of his skin as possible when he was outside.  But by the next winter, it had stopped without us doing anything special, thankfully.  Best of luck to you in your move : ).

[Peach]

I get this too in the winter - SW Montana. It's dry as a bone here but exposed skin will get all red and itchy if I am not careful about it. Generally it's only my hands, and having thiem in really cold water does it too, but sometimes legs if they are exposed.

[MercyA]

Well that's pretty much terrifying! I am wondering about temperature changes at this point. We don't really get "cold" in the part of Oregon we live in. It's mostly on the chilly side of things. I guess I'll need to practice keeping warm, which is going to be great? You mention that it didn't last forever for your friend. Do you know if she did anything to lessen her reactions (supplements, medicine, whatever)?

 

I'm sorry, I don't know what she used other than the prescription antihistamines, but I can tell you what I did for my own heat urticaria.

 

For several months, I had to take antihistamines continuously. I found that a prescription version of Zyrtec (plus Benadryl when necessary) helped the most. For a while I also took Pepcid, which believe it or not is also an antihistamine. I found the suggestion online, but my doctor agreed that it was a good idea.  

 

I also put myself on a low histamine diet to lessen the histamine load in my body. You can google high and low histamine foods. Changing my diet was when I really turned the corner and started seeing the most improvement. 

 

My friend had her worst attack after she was jogging outside in the winter, so just be aware of symptoms if you are exercising outside.

 

Good luck! This will likely not last forever. 

[barnwife]

I don't have this but I am a WI boardie!

Winters are generally cold and dry. I hang dry laundry inside because I hate using the dryer and because I want that moisture in the air in the house.

Otherwise, it seems like covering skin as much as possible seems like the way to go.

Welcome to WI!

[Isabella]

ErinE, Thank you so much for your response! I'm sorry you deal with this, but your advice is super helpful. I have had super dry skin this summer, so I'm going to try slathering on the lotion. I had a crazy flare up yesterday, and would love to try to calm my skin down. It's great to know that I should be able to be outdoors as long as I prepare. Thank you again!

 

 

Well that's pretty much terrifying! I am wondering about temperature changes at this point. We don't really get "cold" in the part of Oregon we live in. It's mostly on the chilly side of things. I guess I'll need to practice keeping warm, which is going to be great? You mention that it didn't last forever for your friend. Do you know if she did anything to lessen her reactions (supplements, medicine, whatever)?

 

 

 

 

Gardenmom5, the thought of a nutritional deficiency is interesting -- I'd love to be able to eat, or supplement, this problem away. That being said, I do think I'm going to have to learn to "dress for success", or at least some serious warmth. 

 

I'm glad you said the bolded!  I used to suffer with heat/cold/salt induced urticaria.  This meant my own sweat, or the ocean, as well as cold or hot weather would have me flare up so much that I looked like I'd been stung by ants all over my body.  In the end, my throat and ears would swell noticeably. 

 

I began a clean-eating diet, and I have now had no problems for over 10 years.  Basically I cut out most grain, dairy, sugar, and I live a paleo lifestyle (well, 80%, I'd say).  I have lots of vegetables, a moderate amount of meat, and a good quantity of high quality fats.  Perhaps it won't work for everyone, but I'm sure diet plays a massive part.  I believe if the diet is good, you are giving your body all the tools to mend itself of many issues.  The body has an amazing healing capacity, but we need to give it the right tools (food).

 

If you want to test it, I think a month or two would show you whether your urticaria responds positively to it. 

I hope you'll try it....I'm certain you won't be sorry! :-)

Good luck!

[mamakelly]

My son has cold water urticaria. He developed it 6 years ago after he had pneumonia. His symptoms have gradually lessened over the years, but we still have to be cautious and manage it carefully. Have you seen an allergist? I was able to find one who specializes in cold urticaria, and he was a wealth of knowledge for us. They even used ds as a test subject at some of their events. My son takes allergy meds when he is going to be exposed to cold water, it really helps. He still carries an epi pen for emergencies.