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Allergic to Cold?Local expert says media report is inaccurateA recent report by USA Today claims people are allergic to cold weather, but some experts say it’s not possible. Sue Lovekin, an Anchorage resident, is just one of many Americans who suffer from a medical condition known as “cold urticaria,” which causes redness, itching, swelling and hives when a person is exposed to cold temperatures and can be compared to having an allergic reaction. But it's not an allergy, according to Dr. Thad Woodard, a pediatrician with the Alaska Center for Pediatrics. Woodard says people are being misinformed, and are assuming that because they experience some of the allergy symptoms that it's an allergy; he says anyone can have an allergic reaction to anything but it doesn't mean that it's an allergy. He says a person has to be tested for specific antibodies, which can be genetic. If these particular cells come into contact with certain substances like food or dust, your immune system can overreact in self-defense, which is called an allergic reaction. He says cold weather is not a substance, and can't be tested. “You can take an ice for example and there's a standard length of time you put it on your arm to see if it hives up, and it tells us you if you have that potential risk,” says Woodard. While millions of Americans are allergic to different things, Dr. Woodard says chances are you're not allergic to the cold. |
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Kim said on Wednesday, Feb 15 at 3:46 PM
I have been "allergic to the cold" for over 10 years now. I tend to get the itchy hives on the fronts of my legs, I guess that's where the most contact of cold material to my skin occurs. A few years ago, I made the mistake of going in a hot tub outside in the middle of the winter and when I got out, my entire body reacted and covered in hives. I went almost into shock, I felt faint etc. A friend had some Benedril that I promptly took and the swelling went down and I felt better. If this was not an allergic reaction, would that work?I don't think it's accurate to say it's not an allergy. I think it's more for me than just cold, it's wet cold that soaks into my skin. Anyways, it's really annoying and apparently for some it's more serious but it's definately a condition that needs addressed.
81438852maribel said on Tuesday, Jan 31 at 5:14 PM
I have this condition. I think it's real!
80701368robert. said on Tuesday, Jan 31 at 6:57 AM
you are misinforming the people doc. this is a real problem.Just because you cannot fix it, do not mean this is in our heads.
80668403mason said on Tuesday, Jan 31 at 6:35 AM
this doctor is only giving examples of things people already know, of course people are allergic to food,dust etc. But i am certain because i have
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