Cold urticaria

Cold Urticaria

Cold Urticaria (pronounced: ur-ti-ka-ri-a) is a skin reaction to cold that appears within minutes after cold exposure. Affected skin develops reddish, itchy welts (hives).

Etymology

The term "urticaria" comes from the Latin urtica, meaning "nettle", and the suffix -aria, meaning "pertaining to". The term "cold" is from the Old English ceald, both meaning low temperature.

Symptoms

People with cold urticaria experience widely different symptoms. Some have minor reactions to the cold, while others have severe reactions. Swimming in cold water is the most common cause of a whole-body (systemic) reaction. This could lead to very low blood pressure, fainting, shock and even death.

Causes

Cold urticaria occurs when the skin is exposed to a sudden drop in air temperature or to cold water. Damp and windy weather can also trigger this skin reaction in some people. The exact cause of cold urticaria is unknown in most cases, but it can be inherited as an autosomal dominant trait.

Treatment

Treatment for cold urticaria may include antihistamines taken before cold exposure. In severe cases, a combination of medications may be necessary.

Related Terms

• Hives
• Antihistamines
• Autosomal dominant

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Cold urticaria
• Wikipedia's article - Cold urticaria

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