Cold allergy is one type of allergy that needs to be taken seriously, especially for those who are frequently exposed to cold and damp environments. Cold allergy is also known as cold urticaria in medical context, where the skin exhibits a reaction in the form of itchy hives and turns red upon exposure to cold environment.
Cold urticaria (ur-tih-KAR-e-uh) is a skin reaction to cold that appears within minutes after cold exposure. Affected skin develops itchy welts (hives).(Mayo Clinic)
Although cold allergy is not always a threat to health, the severity of symptoms that appear varies for each individual. Symptoms range from mild itching to loss of consciousness, very low blood pressure, and in worst case scenarios, even death, making it crucial for anyone who experiences cold allergy symptoms to seek medical help immediately.
Cold Allergy Symptoms to Watch Out For
Cold allergy symptoms can occur when the skin comes into contact with cold water or cold weather. Some of the main symptoms of cold allergy include swelling of the hands when holding cold objects, hives that cause itching, swelling of the lips and throat when consuming cold food or beverages, and skin turning red.
In more severe cases, anaphylaxis (a life-threatening acute allergic reaction) can occur, which can cause a drastic drop in blood pressure, palpitations, fainting, or even death.
Understanding the Causes of Cold Allergy
Cold allergy occurs due to the release of histamine and other chemicals that circulate in the bloodstream triggered by cold weather. However, the exact reason why the body reacts this way to cold is not yet known. Some factors that can increase the risk of contracting cold allergy include children and adolescents, underlying health problems or diseases such as cancer or hepatitis, infections such as pneumonia or lung inflammation, and genetic factors.
Treatment for Cold Allergy
There is no cure for cold allergy, but treatment to prevent or reduce the symptoms of this disease can be done by consuming antihistamines, which help reduce itching and swelling on the skin.
In addition, prevention can be done by several things, such as dressing warmly when in cold environments, especially for those who are susceptible to cold allergy, consuming antihistamines before being exposed to cold weather, protecting the skin from cold weather, and carrying adrenaline injections to prevent anaphylaxis reactions from occurring.
Conclusion
Cold allergy is one type of allergy that we need to be aware of, especially for those who are frequently exposed to cold and damp environments. Cold allergy can show serious and life-threatening symptoms, so it is important for anyone who experiences cold allergy symptoms to seek medical help immediately.
In this article, readers can understand the symptoms, causes, and treatment for cold allergy that need to be known. Although cold allergy does not have a cure, treatment can be done to reduce symptoms and prevent dangerous symptoms from occurring. It is important for us to understand this condition and take the appropriate preventive measures to reduce the risk of cold allergy.
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