Cold allergy or cold urticaria is a response
the body’s response to the negative effects of external stimuli. Of
the names of this disease becomes clear that it occurs under
exposure to low temperatures. A few years ago the official
medicine rejected the existence of cold allergy, arguing
This fact is the absence of an allergen. After all, it is logical to assume that there is no
allergen, then there is no allergy. And it turns a kind of vicious circle.
The cause of cold allergies is cold, but cold itself is not
may be allergenic since it is physical
impact. At the same time, bright symptoms and specific
manifestations of the disease make you think that cold allergies are all
does exist. Moreover, more recently, the number of people suffering
this pathology is growing rapidly.
Content
- Causes of development
- Clinical picture
- The main forms of cold allergies
- Stage cold allergies
- Diagnosis of the disease
- Treatment
- Prevention
Contents
Causes of development
But why does cold allergy develop? In fact
this reaction of the body has nothing to do with the present
allergic reaction. Cold, like dampness, heat or frost is
physical effects, not allergens (substances) that cause
increased sensitivity. In this case, due to what and how
does an allergic reaction develop? Specific substance
(allergen), getting to us in an organism, provokes emission of a histamine
into the bloodstream that causes the body’s immediate defensive reaction in
form of redness, rash and itching. In case of cold allergy such
the reaction does not exist, as there is no pathogen-allergen. But cases
from practice have shown that cold allergy does exist.
In this case, it is appropriate to talk about an unpredictable reaction.
immune system in the cold. The causes of this pathology more often
most of all caused not by the cold reaction itself, but by concomitant
pathologies occurring in the body. For example, by some
debilitating diseases that affect the body in full
volume, weaken the immune system and lead to changes in metabolism
substances. There is an opinion that the development of the disease is associated with
synthesis in the body of specific proteins – cryoglobulins,
which are histamine activators (mediator
inflammation), which triggers allergic reactions. Starts up
This allergic reaction is cold, and help him to run this
process a variety of states:
- autoimmune diseases;
- oncological diseases;
- immunodeficiency states;
- chronic processes in the body;
- infectious pathology.
Oncological, autoimmune and infectious processes in the body
contribute to the development of cold allergies, but only due to
reduce the body’s defenses. Depletion of body defenses
also cause chronic inflammatory processes that occur in
the body.
Sometimes provoke a cold allergy can be a combination
of the above pathological conditions.
So, to summarize, we can say that cold allergy
develops due to a decrease in the protective properties of the organism.
Existing chronically processes in the body deplete the immune system,
allowing allergic reactions to develop.
Clinical picture
Cold allergy occurs immediately when exposed
negative temperature on the body. On open skin areas
rashes appear, most often this face, hands, lips. Rash has
bodily – pink color, dense texture, which
accompanied by itching. Usually the rash lasts for several hours,
after exposure to cold, then disappears without a trace.
Symptoms of cold allergies are not as safe as they can
seem at first glance. The disease is painful
condition that deplete the patient, especially if they arise
against the background of chronic, infectious pathologies, autoimmune disorders
or thyroid dysfunction. With a general supercooling
the body may experience severe itching, heavy rashes,
General discomfort: headaches, lowering of arterial
pressure, and in severe cases even angioedema.
Also known is a hereditary form of cold allergy. it
a very rare form that is accompanied by itching and burning, and
occurs in several members of the same family.
The main forms of cold allergies
Cold allergy has several forms:
- cold urticaria;
- cold dermatitis;
- cold rhinitis;
- cold conjunctivitis;
- hereditary cold urticaria.
Cold urticaria appears in open areas of the body,
in contact with cold air. It is usually such
parts of the body like: face, neck, arms. This form appears strong
itching, flushing, pain and blistering. Affected areas
can merge, forming one continuous conglomerate.
Cold dermatitis is manifested by the following symptoms: itching,
redness and peeling of the skin.
Cold rhinitis is characterized by the above symptoms, but to
they join the discharge from the nose. It is noteworthy that at the entrance
in a warm room a runny nose immediately passes.
With cold conjunctivitis, the patient experiences tearing and
pain in the eyes, which immediately pass in a warm room.
Hereditary cold urticaria is a very rare disease.
With this pathology, allergy symptoms do not appear immediately, as in
other cases, and a few hours after staying at
cold There are cases of the appearance of allergies a day after
contact with cold. A characteristic symptom of this form is
maculopapular rash.
Stage cold allergies
Cold allergy has three stages of development:
- The first stage is immunological. The first meeting of the body with
allergen causes hypersensitivity of the body. In response to
allergic pathogen (allergen) should be produced
antibodies. This is precisely the function of hypersensitivity.
And already the subsequent stages directly cause allergic
the reaction, in the case of secondary ingestion of the allergen in the body. - The second stage is characterized by the formation of biologically
active chemicals (mediators) that are involved in
the process of forming an allergic reaction. Allergies are usually
cause: histamine, serotonin, heparin, which expand
vessels cause redness of the skin and other manifestations. - The third stage is the allergic reaction itself, which
manifested by symptoms of allergies in the form of serious complications: edema
Quincke and anaphylactic shock.
It should be noted that cold allergy is
pseudo-allergic reaction, characterized by the absence
allergen that would have provoked it. It can be called
non-immunological reaction, since the period is not formed
hypersensitivity to allergen (cold). This allergic
the reaction occurs instantly and mediators are produced instantly
allergies that cause symptoms of this form
allergies.
Diagnosis of the disease
To diagnose cold allergies is not so easy, because
the clinical picture of the pathology is similar to other
diseases, including colds. For example, and runny nose, and
lacrimation observed in colds and allergies. None
However, some differences between the two diseases are still
are observed. If you are allergic to cold, itchy throat, ears,
nose, but body temperature indicators do not change. But how to find out
exactly what disease are the symptoms? Can be held in
home conditions the next test. You need to take a piece of ice and
attach it to the inside of the forearm. If the skin is white
or red, then this is a normal reaction of the skin to cold, but if
blistering or swelling has formed, then we can talk about the presence of cold
allergies.
Differential diagnosis is carried out with the following
diseases:
- atopic dermatitis;
- neurodermatitis;
- idiopathic dermatosis;
- allergic to animal fur;
- allergic to perfume composition.
Sometimes a person comes out into the cold in a fur coat made from animal fur,
returns home with allergy symptoms. He regards the situation
like a cold allergy, but in fact he may be allergic
on animal fur. Also, with perfume allergies,
deodorants and other cosmetic compositions.
Treatment
The same methods are used in the treatment of cold allergies.
treatment, as in the treatment of conventional allergies. The main successful
The criterion for treating cold allergies is to eliminate
provoking factor causing the disease – cold. To tell
exactly when and at what temperature will the allergic reaction begin
impossible, because the degree of sensitivity in all people
individual. Some people have allergies when they have fever.
-20-25, in others at a temperature of -5-10. In some cases
allergic reaction may occur even after washing with cubes
ice For this reason, first of all you should avoid
hypothermia of the body, but if hypothermia is still
happened, you should take a warm shower or bath.
Of the medicines used are well known.
antihistamines tavegil, claritin, suprastin. Often
Telfast is prescribed to prevent the development
allergy symptoms. These drugs should be used constantly,
because rejecting them will allow the symptoms to come back again even when
contact with cold water.
Patients are also prescribed fortifying drugs,
supporting the immune system. When bronchospasms occur
use drugs expanding bronchi – bronchodilators. AT
severe cases prescribe glucocorticosteroids, procedure
plasmapheresis, which is able to clear the blood from
cryoglobulin.
It should be remembered that cold allergy develops in humans.
weak, non-tempered with foci of chronic infection in the body.
Therefore, you should eliminate the cause of the main disease, and then treat
consequence
One of the most effective innovative treatments
Allergy is autolymphocytotherapy. The essence of the method is
subcutaneous administration of autologous (own) immune cells,
isolated from the venous blood of the patient. Lymphocytes are injected subcutaneously.
upper arm. The course of treatment is 6-8 procedures twice.
in Week. Autolymphocytotherapy has no side effects and
allows you to completely eliminate the symptoms of allergies.
Prevention
Preventive measures of this disease consist in rehabilitation
chronic inflammatory foci of infection and hardening
organism.
It is imperative to identify and treat the underlying disease, which
adversely affects the immune system. In this case, cold
allergies can go away by itself. So how to exclude the reasons
causing this pathology is not always possible, you need to learn
a few simple rules:
- in frosty weather, you should wear warm, fur things:
woolen socks, scarves, warm sweaters, hats, gloves; - clothes should be made of natural material. It is very important,
since artificial, synthetic things do not hold heat and can
cause secondary allergies; - before going out, about half an hour must be lubricated
open areas of the body (face, hands) with a fat, protective cream. If a
there is a need to apply a moisturizer then remember
that it can be applied on the face only 30-40 minutes before the exit to
frost. Then apply a protective cream from the winter series and you can safely
go out into the cold; - being in the cold, you should breathe through the nose, as the nose filters
air and preheats it; - You should drink hot tea or another before going to the frost.
warm drink, it will help to warm the body and not freeze on
frost For the same reason, it is advisable to carry a thermos with
hot drink; - Be sure to perform hardening and strengthening procedures.
immunity. To do this, be sure to consult a doctor who
selects the appropriate tempering tactics. - complete balanced nutrition will help strengthen the protective
strength of the body and resist cold allergies,
Do not self-medicate, as you can seriously harm
to the body. After all, most often allergic to cold is only secondary.
a disease that develops due to a decrease in immunity.
It often happens that the underlying disease is sluggish,
hidden character that erodes and depletes the body, and to reveal
the underlying cause of the disease is not always easy. For this reason
should entrust your life and health to a competent specialist.
