I06 -- February 2008 -- Allergic to the Cold

Intro: February is a time of year when people tend to complain about the cold. Sure, cold weather can be a nuisance, but did you know that some people are actually allergic to it? It’s true. You can be allergic to the cold. More from Mayo Clinic.

THE COLD OF WINTER. SOME PEOPLE HATE IT. OTHERS EMBRACE IT. AND SOME, LIKE MELISSA KERLIN, ARE ALLERGIC TO IT. IT’S CALLED COLD URTICARIA.

“THEY’D BE LIKE, YOU’RE ALLERGIC TO WHAT?”

“IT IS POSSIBLE FOR PEOPLE TO DEVELOP AN ALLERGY TO THE COLD.”

“MY EARS WOULD GET NUMB UNTIL THEY WERE BURNING,.”

AND SHE’D GET HIVES. SO WHENEVER MELISSA HEADS OUT IN TEMPERATURES BELOW 45-DEGREES SHE BUNDLES UP.

“HEAVY COAT, MITTENS…”

IT’S NOT JUST COLD WEATHER THAT CAUSES PROBLEMS. MELISSA CAN’T EAT ICE CREAM OR DRINK COLD LIQUIDS.

“MY THROAT WOULD JUST CLOSE UP, SWELL UP.”

OR SWIM IN COOL WATER.

“WITH EXTREME COLD EXPOSURE OR TOTAL BODY EXPOSURE THERE CAN BE A MASSIVE RELEASE OF HISTAMINE AND SIGNIFICANT BODY SWELLING, EVEN A DROP IN BLOOD PRESSURE AND THIS COULD BE A LIFE-THREATENING SITUATION.”

DR. JAMES LI SAYS IN SOME PEOPLE, THE COLD, LIKE MANY ALLERGENS, TRIGGERS MAST CELLS IN YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM TO RELEASE HISTAMINE AND OTHER CHEMICALS. THIS CAUSES AFFECTED SKIN TISSUE TO BECOME INFLAMED, RED, ITCHY AND SWOLLEN. AND IF THIS REACTION HAPPENS IN AN AREA SUCH AS YOUR THROAT, YOU COULD BE IN TROUBLE. MELISSA TAKES ANTIHISTAMINES EVERY DAY AND CARRIES AN EPINEPHRINE AUTO-INJECTOR.

SO HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOU’RE ALLERGIC TO THE COLD? TAKE THE ICE CUBE TEST. THE ICE CUBE TEST INVOLVES PUTTING AN ICE PACK ON YOUR FORE ARM TO SEE IF THERE’S A REACTION. IF I WERE ALLERGIC TO COLD, THIS PATCH WOULD BE RED AND RAISED.

MELISSA’S WAS. AND NOW SHE ENJOYS THE WINTER WEATHER FROM THE INSIDE LOOKING OUT.

FOR MEDICAL EDGE, I’M VIVIEN WILLIAMS.

Anchor tag: Melissa also has to be careful about air-conditioning, which could cause her skin temperature to drop.

Dr. Li says there’s no way to tell who will become allergic to the cold. It’s rare, but if you suspect you might be, talk to an allergist to see if you should restrict any cold-related activities.

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