Cold Urticaria is a disease that is often misunderstood by people who do not suffer from it. I have suffered from temperature related hives since the age of eighteen, being covered in hives multiple times a day has caused a multitude of problems for me. I have learned how to better control my hives over the past six years and to be prepared for sudden changes in temperature. Fortunately, there are a few treatment options for those who suffer from cold urticaria.
Treatment Option For Cold Urticaria #1: Antihistamines
Hives are an allergic reaction, caused by the release of histamines into your body. Antihistamines such as Benadryl, Clariton, and Zyrtec are all available over the counter and can help treat your cold Urticaria. I usually take one Clariton a day and that helps reduce the itching caused by my hives, but the hives still appear on my body.
When treating your cold urticaria you may find it beneficial to take a fast acting antihistamine such as Benadryl directly before doing an activity that would put you in contact with the cold. These activities can be as simple as walking to your car on a cool day or swimming in cold water.
Everyone is different so be sure to ask your doctor what he or she recommends and you may have to try a variety of different antihistamines to find what is the best treatment for your cold urticaria.
Treatment Option For Cold Urticaria #2: Clothing
While this may seem like a no brainer, many people who suffer from cold urticaria forget to take basic precautions in cold weather. Everyone is different, some people get more hives in cold water or in colder temperatures than other people with cold urticaria. Always dress in layers and be sure to carry extra coats and blankets in your car so that you are prepared for changes in weather.
Treatment Option For Cold Urticaria #3: Be wary of cold foods and drinks
Some sufferers of cold urticaria can get hives from eating cold foods and drinks such as ice cream and soda cans. When eating and drinking cold foods you can wear gloves to protect your hands from the cold. If you do not have gloves or feel silly using them in public a layer of napkins around the cold food or drink can work while being a bit more discreet.
Treatment Option For Cold Urticaria #4: Relocation
Living with cold urticaria can be even more difficult for people who live in colder climates. An Alaskan winter can be like a prison sentence for a suffer of cold urticaria. While relocation may not be the most ideal treatment option for cold urticaria, it can be one of the most effective. This can be a treatment option of last resort, but you have to decide how important your health is to you and to your family.
Sources:
http://iml.jou.ufl.edu/projects/Spring05/Bernfeld/index.html
http://dermnetnz.org/reactions/cold-urticaria.html
