The chills redden the cheeks and invigorate us, even if sometimes it can slightly frost the nose and ears. But in the warmth everything quickly returns to normal. However, to a deep regret, not at all. In some people, even at zero air temperature, the body for no reason is covered with a rash. And starts to itch furiously. Another person in the cold is overcome by a continuous cold. And the third can not wipe the tears from the reddened eyelids. With different symptoms, the reason for all these people is one - an allergy to cold.
If you or your friends have similar symptoms, you must find out if there is an allergy to the cold and how to deal with it. Especially sensitive people react differently to the sharp cooling of open parts of the body. With cold allergies, sometimes even simple ice cream can cause swelling of the tongue and larynx. This ailment is called an allergy, although in fact, this response to cold exposure has nothing to do with a true allergic reaction. The mechanism of allergy to cold significantly differs from the usual allergy - there is a reaction to the substance-allergen, and here on the temperature. Experts classify the reaction to cold as pseudoallergia, since the allergen per se is absent. Determine if there is an allergy to cold, you can by the following signs:
• Cold urticaria - itchy blisters appear on the skin, similar to a nettle burn;
• Cold dermatitis - the skin itches, and the dermis (its upper layer) is scaly. In severe illness, general swelling of the body is observed;
• Cold rhinitis (runny nose) - the nose lays only in the cold, the symptoms disappear completely in a warm room;
• Cold conjunctivitis - severe tearing and stinging in the eyes in frosty air.
Favorite location of cold urticaria - places that are in direct contact with the cold environment (skin of the face, hands, ears, mucous lips). Sometimes red spots can merge, forming a large area of damage and causing swelling of surrounding tissues. The rashes are rather dense, pink or whitish in color, accompanied by an intolerable itch. They usually last for several hours, and then completely disappear. When the urticaria spreads to the entire body, the itching becomes unbearable, the temperature rises. With a severe form of cold allergy, chills, general malaise, joint and muscle pain, tachycardia (rapid heartbeat), severe weakness, headache, dyspnea. Patients may occasionally complain of nausea and abdominal pain. Spontaneous exacerbation of cold allergy can continue for a couple of weeks, and in severe cases - even months, sometimes - the entire cold period of the year. The average duration of the first exacerbation is 1.5 years, that is, cold urticaria may appear in the summer when swimming in cold water. Without the use of special treatment, cold urticaria takes an average of 6 to 7 years.
Allergy to cold is not so safe. In people especially sensitive to it, under the influence of cold, an allergy to a cold of rapid type can develop - anaphylactic shock. This is an allergic reaction of an immediate type that occurs when the allergen has a second effect on the body, in our case cold. In the most severe cases, the blood pressure may drop sharply against the background of a shock reaction. Signs of anaphylactic shock - the appearance (immediately after cooling) of severe weakness, nausea, chest pain, fear of death, which are rapidly growing. Along with this, blood pressure decreases, sticky cold sweat, skin suddenly becomes pale, a person may even lose consciousness. In such cases only emergency medical care can save lives. The instant course of anaphylactic shock mostly ends with death.
The disease can develop at any age, but the average age of the diseased is 25 to 30 years. The first attack usually happens after 30-35 years. If you ever had such problems in your life, you can independently check if there is an allergy to cold. To do this, put a piece of ice on your hand for a quarter of an hour. If there is a rash or blister, go to an allergist or an immunologist. The sensitivity of your skin to cold is increased. Cold urticaria is not just an annoying inconvenience, but a general "distress" signal from the body. Experts are sure that a cold allergy is not an independent disease, but only a symptom that accompanies some kind of somatic disease. Sensitization of the body, that is, its increased sensitivity, is promoted by various chronic diseases - sinusitis, tonsillitis, cholecystitis, dental caries, and also helminths (worms). To get rid of cold allergies, you must first cure these diseases.
Combating allergy to cold can be various methods. Even Chukchi could not get used to the cold, but they resist the cold with the help of tempering the body. Mothers lower the unwrapped child for a minute in the snow, after which he only sleeps more tightly. And we, in order to prevent relapses of cold allergies, it is necessary to begin hardening of the skin even in the summer. Well-proven swabbing and dousing with water with a gradual decrease in water temperature. First, you should prepare water with a temperature of 25 - 20 degrees. And in a consequence in 3 - 5 days the temperature is gradually reduced, bringing to 15 - 10 degrees. After 5 - 6 days, try to lower it again. Gradually, the water temperature is brought to +10 degrees. After water treatment, you must rub the body with a towel before redness of the skin. If the water temperature is reduced gradually and regularly carry out such procedures, even the child will not have any unpleasant sensations. If, with a decrease in temperature, an allergic reaction occurs - hives will appear, then the temperature of the water should be raised by a degree higher.
Another method to combat allergy to cold. If there are no contraindications, go to the bath, warm up there, steam with a broom, and then sweat with cool water. In a snowdrift or wormwood it is not necessary to rush, but it is necessary to use contrasting water procedures.
To overcome the cold allergy, you need to treat it as a serious disease! Carelessly brush off such a reaction to the cold can not. At the first signs of this disaster, it is worth forever abandoning bravado all the cold season to go without a hat, in a light jacket and shoes on a thin sole - I, supposedly, have good immunity. In frosts - a scarf to the ears and a hat on the eyes, and on the hands it is better to pull on fur gloves. Underwear - only from cotton, because synthetics and wool intensify manifestations of cold urticaria.
People who are exposed to cold allergies, before going out on a frosty day, are recommended face, neck, hands to lubricate with a layer of baby cream or melted butter. Although neither cryocreams (winter special cosmetics) nor oil will save from cold allergies, but they at least will help protect the skin from overdrying. From such creams to refuse it is impossible, especially if the skin is peeling and dry. After all, it is more vulnerable and permeable. Especially before physical factors - dampness, frost, wind. Nutritious quality cream for women is recommended to apply on face for half an hour before going out. Hygienic lipstick in winter is useful to everyone.
People suffering from cold allergies will have to refuse in winter to visit water parks and swimming pools - "water" urticaria is expressed by much more severe symptoms than "air". From food it is necessary to exclude everything that irritates the mucous membrane of the gastrointestinal tract, highly roasted and smoked meat - in the first place. In the diet should be introduced products rich in fatty acids - sea fish and high-quality vegetable oils.
You can use at home warm baths with starch or decoction of chamomile, which act soothingly. Drug treatment methods of this pseudoallergia do not bring the expected effect. Reception before going out to the street antiallergic drugs brings relief for a short period of time. But in the absence of targeted treatment in the future is manifested more often. So you can not pass by a specialist doctor. If there is an allergy to the cold, how to deal with it correctly only the specialist will tell.