Hand allergy to the cold is a rather rare and not fully understood phenomenon, the exact causes of which have not yet been elucidated. Doctors know only that the human body's hypersensitivity to cryoglobulin (its own protein) is to blame for this disease, which, when exposed to low temperatures, begins to change. This process causes the so-called cold urticaria.
This disease is especially activated in the winter, when the air temperature drops below zero. However, sometimes an allergy in the hands to cold worries patients in the summer season (with severe hypothermia, after bathing in cool water, etc.).
Definition of a concept
By cold urticaria is understood an allergic reaction that manifests itself in open areas of the body. These are rashes in the form of red spots caused by exposure to low temperature.
Despite the fact that this disease is called allergy, it has nothing to do with a real allergic reaction. Frost, dampness and cold are physical factors, and not a substance that increases the sensitivity of the body.
Causes of pathology
Doctors are sure that an allergy in the hands to the cold is not an independent pathology. This is only one of the symptoms of any somatic disease. The reaction in the form of urticaria is manifested by the body, weakened by a latent and prolonged course of the disease.
As mentioned above, the culprit that manifests an allergy of the skin of the hands to cold is a special protein (cryoglobulin), and the low temperature serves as the trigger for this. The course of the whole process is given by various predisposing factors in the form of a decrease in immunity, as well as the presence of parasitic, colds and infectious diseases.
Another reason that a person is allergic to cold in his hands is a digestive system in the form of cholecystitis, chronic gastritis or an ulcer. But experts are confident that in addition to these and many other chronic ailments, they can cause an organism's reaction to lower ambient temperatures.
As for children, they have a cold allergy most often becomes a continuation of food allergies.
Causes of urticaria
An allergy to cold on the hands (see photo below) has a rather complicated mechanism of appearance and development, which modern medicine is not yet able to figure out to the end.
However, there are certain factors that provoke the manifestation of its symptoms. They are:
- contact with cold water that occurs in everyday life when washing dishes or when cleaning, as well as when bathing in natural reservoirs;
- a sharp transition of a person from an environment with normal temperature conditions to a windy environment with a low air temperature;
- eating too cold food or drinks.
All these factors work only if the human body has a weakened immune system.
Symptoms of pathology
An allergy to cold hands is often masked as dermatitis. That is why it is very difficult to distinguish it from this disease. An allergy to cold hands (see photo below) begins with a simple scratching of the skin. Then the hands become dry. The skin on them coarsens and becomes covered with small cracks. Then there are rashes like hives. After this, the hands swell.
In addition to urticaria with its dense pinkish-red rashes, blisters can also appear on the skin. Their formation is accompanied by an unpleasant burning sensation and itching. Most often, a cold allergy on the hands resembles a
nettle burn, for which, in fact, it got its second name.
The body may also exhibit more intense reactions. This occurs when cold rain or snow gets on the surface of the skin. In this case, the hands are covered with red edematous vesicles filled with a clear liquid.
All these symptoms become pronounced immediately after warming the chilled areas of the skin. Then gradually they disappear, and after 30-60 minutes the skin becomes clean. In some cases, rashes persist for a week, and sometimes longer.
Also, a person predisposed to an allergy to cold, after entering the cold, begins to sneeze. At the same time, he has a runny nose. Such symptoms are associated with mucosal damage. All this also causes difficulty in respiratory function.
The body's reaction to low temperature sometimes manifests itself as an allergy to cold in the hands and eyes. In this case, the organs of vision turn red, starting to tear and itch. At the same time, a swelling of the area around the eyes and eyelids appears. It often hurts a person to watch. He has pains in his eyes and other uncomfortable sensations, which intensify in bright daylight.
Cold allergies in the hands are also determined by some additional signs. These include:
- shortness of breath;
- headache;
- general malaise;
- pressure drops.
Such manifestations bring a person great discomfort and contribute to the appearance of irritability in him, as well as reduce efficiency.
Cold urticaria in children
Redness of the baby's arms when going out may well be a natural reaction of the body. Cold urticaria can be distinguished only if the child complains of itching, which torments him in places of rash. But in any case, you need a consultation with an allergist.
The reaction to cold occurs in children:
- during walks in the cold seasons;
- when swimming in the pool;
- in contact with cold water, as well as when using ice cream.
Types of Allergies to Cold
Cold urticaria can be:
1. Acute or chronic. This form of pathology begins with intense itching of open areas of the skin, sometimes spreading to the entire body. Further in the foci of lesion, edema occurs, manifested in the form of blisters. In acute pathology, certain areas of the skin are covered with intense red rashes similar to a nettle bite. Severe forms of the disease are accompanied by general malaise, pain in the muscles and joints, increased heart rate and severe weakness. Such exacerbations last for several weeks, and sometimes they can disturb a person throughout the cold period.
2. Recurrent . This form appears only in autumn, winter and early spring. In other periods, it worsens when the skin comes in contact with cold water.
3. Reflex . This form of allergy is a local or general reaction to cold. Its manifestations are a rash that has arisen in the area of direct contact with low temperatures.
4. Family friendly . This is a rare form of allergy, transmitted to humans by gender. For this pathology, a maculopapular rash is characteristic , accompanied by a burning sensation. This reaction occurs 0.5-3 hours after contact with cold. Symptoms of family urticaria include joint pain and chills, as well as periodic manifestations of fever.
5. Cold erythema. The manifestation of this type of pathology is accompanied by reddening of the skin with pronounced painful sensations in the affected areas.
6. Cold dermatitis. The skin with this form of the disease greatly flakes and itches. With an aggravation of the pathology, edema is also observed.
Cold urticaria test
All of the above symptoms should not be confused with the body's natural protection from wind and cold, which do not cause a person much discomfort and quickly go away in a warm room. But at the same time, it is important for the patient and the doctor to determine in a timely manner what kind of reaction the cold has. To do this, you can go through a complex examination, which uses special equipment. But there are simple ways that are applicable even at home.
So, for 10-15 minutes you can attach a piece of ice on the elbow. If hives appear, this indicates a predisposition of the body to cold allergies. But in case of any doubts it is still better to consult a doctor. After all, to accurately determine allergies, you will need a blood test.
Treatment
What to do for those who have an allergy to skin on their hands? Symptoms and treatment are well known in the art. However, the answer that doctors give does not always suit patients. Doctors recommend completely eliminating the effects of the allergen, that is, frost and cold. And to do this is almost impossible. But in any case, those who suffer from winter allergies will need to wear warm clothes made from natural fabrics outside and try to avoid hypothermia.
It should also take into account the fact that the degree of sensitivity in each person is an individual indicator. Some suffer from an allergic reaction already at minus 8-10 degrees, and others at minus 24-28. There are also people in whom redness on the skin appears when washing with cool water. In addition to warnings, there are many remedies whose use will significantly reduce the consequences of pathology.
Drug use
If a person has an allergy to cold in his hands, the treatment of this disease will be similar to eliminating a true allergy. From medications, antihistamines such as Claritin, Tavegil and Suprastin are prescribed. It should be borne in mind that some drugs produce a hypnotic effect, and, therefore, they are forbidden to use before performing work that requires a quick reaction or concentration. In severe cases, the doctor may prescribe some immunosuppressants, as well as plasmapheresis to cleanse the blood of glucocorticosteroids, cryoglobulins.
Often, a cold allergy is a manifestation of a chronic infection with sinusitis or bronchitis, tonsillitis or pyelonephritis. Its teeth can also provoke its manifestation. In this case, the doctor should prescribe appropriate drugs to eliminate these ailments.
A predisposition to allergies, including cold, have people with impaired intestinal and liver functions. In these cases, the treatment of the underlying disease will eliminate unpleasant symptoms.
It is also worth remembering that those who have an allergy to the skin on their hands (symptoms and treatment of pathology are the subject of our attention) should be under the constant supervision of a doctor, since the reaction of the body in each patient is individual.
The use of ointments
When making a diagnosis of “cold allergy”, creams sometimes sold in the pharmacy chain are sometimes used. However, their use will require prior consultation with a specialist.
How to treat allergies to cold on the hands? To eliminate unpleasant symptoms, you should pay attention to antihistamines for external use. These include an ointment for allergies to cold on the hands of “Gistan N”, as well as “Skin Cap”. It should be taken into account only the fact that the composition of these funds contains a hormonal substance.
With the help of La Cree ointment, an allergy to cold on the hands (symptoms) can be effectively eliminated. And reviews are basically characterized as effective. However, La Cree ointment has some contraindications. It can not be used by those patients who are allergic to the herbs contained in it. For some patients, from the manifestations of urticaria, an ordinary children's or some oily cream helps perfectly.
When deciding the question "How to cure an allergy to cold in the hands?" Do not forget about auxiliary products that will save the skin from irritation.
Treating children
For children, a cold allergy causes great discomfort. Red spots and a rash appearing on their hands after a winter walk, itch and may even become inflamed. Such a child is less likely to be taken out in cold weather for a walk, and when visiting the street it is correct to dress him and lubricate the handles with baby cream.
As for antihistamines, they can be given to a child only as directed by a doctor. At the same time, the baby needs not only to be treated, but also to strengthen his immunity.
The use of folk remedies
Nature has given us many natural products that can be used to eliminate cold allergies in the hands (symptoms). And treatment in adults (as in children) will be safe and effective enough.
So, raspberries are a great folk remedy. Its dry and crushed roots in an amount of 50 g should be poured into 0.5 l of water, and then darkened for 30-40 minutes on low heat. Thus obtained broth is cooled and filtered. Drink the drug should be 2 tbsp. tablespoons in the morning, in the afternoon and before bedtime. The course of treatment for raspberries is two months. Such a decoction can be used for prevention. In this case, it should be drunk two months before the onset of cold weather.
Red beets and sunflower seeds help with allergies. These products must be eaten in winter in any quantity and in all forms. Effective from the disease is freshly squeezed beet juice. It should be drunk three times a day in half a glass. Help with allergies and freshly squeezed celery juice. It is taken in 0.5 teaspoons three times a day before meals.
From the symptoms of cold allergies, a solution prepared from 1 g of mummy and 1 liter of boiling water helps perfectly. Raw materials dissolved in water without sediment are recommended for adults at 100 ml in the morning, for babies 50 ml, and for younger students 70 ml. The same drug, only in a higher concentration (1 g per 100 ml), is recommended as an external agent. They lubricate the skin of the hands.
Folk healers recommend the use of blueberries. They should be grinded and applied in the form of a compress to the lesions.
In order to eliminate dryness, peeling, itching and redness of the skin in children with cold allergies, prepare a solution of pine shoots in vegetable oil. For this, raw materials are pre-harvested. Pine shoots should only be young. They are taken in a ratio of 1: 1 to vegetable oil and the mixture is insisted for five months in a dark place. The resulting drug is rubbed into the skin of the child.
Allergic edema is perfectly eliminated by drinking birch sap. This drink is an excellent tonic, which also regulates the water-salt metabolism in the body, while producing a mild diuretic effect. You can consume juice in any quantity, but for an adult it should not exceed one liter per day, and for children - from 200 to 500 ml (depending on age).
If, when returning from a cold street to a warm room, a person does not have severe itching, the cause of which is a cold allergy, then hands and other parts of the body can be gently wiped with juice obtained from lemongrass.