Cold allergies are hives that appear due to cold air. Cold allergy is characterized by bump and itching on skin, emerging minutes after exposure to cold temperatures.
Cold allergy usually occurs in adolescents who are growing up. This allergic reaction will go away on its own, but can also be treated with anti-allergic drugs if it is felt to be bothersome. Once gone, allergic reactions can reappear if the sufferer is exposed to cold temperatures.
To prevent allergic reactions, sufferers are advised to avoid cold temperatures. Cold allergies usually get better after a few years, but they can last a lifetime.
Cold Allergy Symptoms
The main symptom of a cold allergy is hives. Hives are bumps on the skin, which are red and itchy. The size of the bumps that arise vary, ranging from as wide as a green pea to as wide as a grape.
These symptoms appear on the skin exposed to cold temperatures, can be water or air. Hives are more common as a result of exposure to humid and windy air. When the skin temperature begins to warm, symptoms can actually worsen. Hives can last for 2 hours, before eventually disappearing on their own.
In addition to hives, cold allergies can also cause swelling of parts of the body that touch cold objects, for example:
- On the hands, due to holding cold objects.
- On the lips, after consuming cold food or drinks.
When hcurrent to dokter
As previously mentioned, hives due to cold allergies generally last for 2 hours. Consult a doctor if hives do not improve for up to 2 days. In addition, you also need to consult a doctor if the hives become more widespread and a fever appears.
A severe allergic reaction can occur when the whole body is exposed to cold temperatures, for example when swimming in cold water. This severe allergic reaction called anaphylactic shock can be life threatening. Immediately go to the emergency department (IGD) if symptoms appear in the form of:
- Swollen face
- Dark view
- A cold sweat
- Heart beat
- Hard to breathe
Cold Allergy Causes
Cold allergy occurs when the skin is exposed to cold water or cold air. When exposed to cold temperatures, the patient's body will release the chemical histamine, which is a chemical that causes an allergic reaction.
Not yet known why cold air can cause allergic reactions. Having sensitive skin is one of the factors thought to be the cause. In addition, there are several other factors that can increase the risk of cold allergies, namely:
- AgeChildren and adolescents are the age group most commonly affected by cold allergies, but they usually clear up on their own within a few years.
- Suffering psickA person who has cancer or hepatitis, and has recently had an infection, is more at risk of developing a cold allergy.
- DescendantsChildren whose parents suffer from cold allergies are also at risk of developing cold allergies.
Cold Allergy Diagnosis
To find out if your hives are caused by a cold allergy, try placing an ice cube on your skin for 5 minutes. If after removing the ice cubes, red bumps appear on the skin, you most likely have a cold allergy.
It is recommended to consult a doctor to find out the cause of the hives experienced. The doctor will ask about the symptoms that appear, as well as the disease that is currently or has been suffered, then the doctor will perform a physical examination. The doctor may also repeat the test with an ice cube to confirm a cold allergy.
If other causes are suspected, the doctor will perform additional tests to confirm it, such as blood tests or urine tests. The type of examination carried out depends on what disease the doctor suspects.
How to overcome Cold Allergy
Cold allergies will go away on their own after a while. But if the symptoms are bothersome, cold allergy sufferers can relieve it by taking drugs. Especially if the sufferer experiences serious allergy symptoms, such as shortness of breath.
The main treatment for cold allergies is to avoid the trigger, namely cold temperatures. However, if you have to move in cold temperatures so that the appearance of an allergic reaction cannot be avoided, sufferers can use drugs to relieve symptoms.
In addition to relieving and overcoming allergic reactions, cold allergy medications can also prevent allergic reactions from reappearing.
Medicines that can be used to relieve cold allergy symptoms are antihistamines. Antihistamines are usually given to relieve cold allergy symptoms cetyrizine, loratadine, or desloratadine.
In addition, there are H2 antagonist drugs that can help relieve cold allergy symptoms if regular antihistamines don't work. Examples are ranitidine, famotidine, and cimetidine.
In addition to antihistamines, other medicines that can also be used to relieve cold allergy symptoms are:
- Corticosteroids.
- Capsaicin rub.
- Omalizumab.
- receptor agonist drugs leukotrienes, as zafirlukast and monteklast.
If a cold allergy sufferer goes into anaphylactic shock, the doctor will give an injection epinephrine.
Cold Allergy Prevention
Although cold allergy symptoms can go away on their own and can be relieved with medication, avoid exposure to cold air as much as possible to prevent an allergic reaction.
Prevention of cold allergies can be done in the following ways:
- Protects skin from exposure to air, water, or cold objects.
- Avoid consumption of cold food and drinks to prevent throat
- Take medication according to a doctor's prescription.
- Inform the doctor or medical officer before surgery, to prevent cold allergic reactions in the operating room.
- Consult with your doctor about whether or not to take antihistamines before traveling to places where the weather is cold.