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An allergist highlights a rare condition that causes some people to have an allergic reaction to cold temperatures.
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CLEVELAND - Are you sick of the winter weather and ready for spring?
Many of us are, and it turns out you can actually be allergic to the cold.
“There are definitely individuals who can have something called cold-induced urticaria. This is a situation where patients are exposed to lower temperatures, and they can actually break out in hives or develop swelling at all of those sites that are cold for them,” explained Sandra Hong, MD, an allergist for Cleveland Clinic.
Dr. Hong said a person can develop this rare condition at any age.
And when it comes to cold weather, there isn’t a certain temperature that triggers it.
You could notice the symptoms while walking outside on a chilly winter day or when you step inside a cooler at a convenience store.
Dr. Hong said touching a cold surface or exposing yourself to frigid water can bring on symptoms as well.
So, what do you do if you think you have this condition?
“I absolutely would have them seek guidance from an allergist for multiple different reasons,” Dr. Hong said. “One, we want to make sure that it's the true diagnosis. Two, there are medications that can help with this. Three, there are other diseases that can masquerade like cold-induced urticaria, and we would want to make sure those aren't causing any of these symptoms.”
Aside from medications, Dr. Hong said bundling up and trying to stay as warm as possible in the winter can help.
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