Posted By: Elle
Do you have Cold Urticaria? Try the ice cube test to see! - 07/24/09 03:19 PM
Hi there, dear brothers and sisters
I love swimming and in my years did challenge many to swim in cold water as I wasn't afraid to do so. Have you ever went swimming in the winter, or the earliest of spring when the ice just barely melted? Anyway, I did several times.
However, as I got older and my opportunities to swim gotten reduced by not living near open waters. But when I did have an opportunity to swim in a beautiful spot, at time(as it didn't happen all the time) I started to feel not so good after 10 minutes in the water and pass out. Good thing I made it to shore before passing out I couldn't understand what was going on, and always attribute this to polluted waters. I couldn't associate this to me; as I always benefitted from a very healthy life because of our wonderful health message. Never suffered from anything major, nor have any condition, really. Don't even have allergies whatsoever.
Anyway, as I had more opportunities to swim and, at time, the fainting was even associated in the most remotest areas where the waters was virtually "clean", then I even got more confused. (confusion is the only condition I mostly suffer from )
Then one day, I discovered that an area of my arm swelled up after holding, with my arm against my body, a bottle of cold water that had been in the fridge. That area was tingling and itchy too! I couldn't believe it, it was an allergic reaction.
Here's an description of the condition :
I don't do the recommended treatment, I like to do NEWSTART. My condition had gone away the past year and I even could swim with my children. However, I just realize yesterday, that the condition came back. So I'm leaning to believe there's a spiritual factor related to this. I've been reading today that they found that it's related to "gluten intolerance". But I've was free from the condition many times without being free from gluten. However, I will heed to the facts and suspect that a high intake of gluten could increase the susceptibility to the condition.
Here's another reference that makes the distinction between acquired and inherited Cold Urticaria :
My condition comes and goes and I did experience all 3 symptoms. #3 occurred when swimming however I'm gratefull the Lord preserve my life as I do like to go for long swims and once was heading to cross a lake, but turned back in time to pass out on the shore.
Well I thought it would be good to share this with you all since this condition is somewhat common and in some cases could be fatal.
Here's how to do the ice cube test at home :
I love swimming and in my years did challenge many to swim in cold water as I wasn't afraid to do so. Have you ever went swimming in the winter, or the earliest of spring when the ice just barely melted? Anyway, I did several times.
However, as I got older and my opportunities to swim gotten reduced by not living near open waters. But when I did have an opportunity to swim in a beautiful spot, at time(as it didn't happen all the time) I started to feel not so good after 10 minutes in the water and pass out. Good thing I made it to shore before passing out I couldn't understand what was going on, and always attribute this to polluted waters. I couldn't associate this to me; as I always benefitted from a very healthy life because of our wonderful health message. Never suffered from anything major, nor have any condition, really. Don't even have allergies whatsoever.
Anyway, as I had more opportunities to swim and, at time, the fainting was even associated in the most remotest areas where the waters was virtually "clean", then I even got more confused. (confusion is the only condition I mostly suffer from )
Then one day, I discovered that an area of my arm swelled up after holding, with my arm against my body, a bottle of cold water that had been in the fridge. That area was tingling and itchy too! I couldn't believe it, it was an allergic reaction.
Here's an description of the condition :
Originally Posted By: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cold_urticaria
Cold Uriticaria
Symptom: When the body is exposed to the cold, hives appear. Hives result from dilation of capillaries which allow fluid to flow out into the surrounding tissue which is the epidermis.They resolve when the body absorbs this fluid. The border of a hive is described as polycyclic, or made up of many circles, and changes as fluid leaks out and then is absorbed. Pressing on a hive causes the skin to blanch distinguishing it from a bruise or papule. Hives can last for a few minutes or a few days, and vary from person to person. Also a burning sensation occurs. During a severe reaction, hypotension, which can be life-threatening, can occur. A serious reaction is most likely to occur if the hives occur with less than 3 minutes of exposure (during a cold test).
Cause : The hives are a histamine reaction in response to cold stimuli, including a drastic drop in temperature, cold air, and cold water. There are many causes for cold hives, most are idiopathic (meaning they have no known cause). Some rare conditions can cause cold hives, and it can be useful to test for these conditions if the cold hives are in any way unusual.
Diagnosis : Diagnosis is typically obtained by an allergist or other licensed practitioner performing a cold test. During the cold test, a piece of ice is held against the forearm, typically for 3–5 minutes. A positive result is a specific looking mark of raised red hives. The hives may be the shape of the ice, or it may radiate from the contact area of the ice.
Treatment: Obviously, the most important thing is to stay warm. Some air conditioned rooms and pools may be too cold for the skin. Warming up immediately after exposure to cold temperatures usually helps control the hives before they get worse. Although, the hives do not instantaneously disappear after warming the affected area(s), warming up afterwards reduces the recovery time it takes for the hives to go away. Some patients report that spreading butter or vegetable shortening on their affected areas reduces the risk of future eruptions.
Allergy medications containing antihistamines such as Benadryl, Zyrtec, Claritin, Periactin and Allegra may be taken orally to prevent and relieve some of the hives (depending on the severity of the allergy).[2] There are also topical antihistamine creams which are used to help relieve hives in other conditions but there is not any documentation stating it will relieve hives induced by cold temperature.
Cold hives can result in a potentially serious, or even fatal, systemic reaction ( anaphylactic shock ). People with cold hives may have to carry an injectable form of epinephrine (like Epi-pen or Twinject) for use in the event of a serious reaction.
Contrary to popular belief, immersing the affected area in hot water or a warmer environment does not improve conditions. Immersing the affected area in warm water or a warmer environment is a means of which is used to help bring the allergic reaction under control so it does not become worse.
The best treatment for this allergy is avoiding exposure to cold temperature.
Ebastine has been proposed as an approach to prevent acquired cold urticaria.[3]
Symptom: When the body is exposed to the cold, hives appear. Hives result from dilation of capillaries which allow fluid to flow out into the surrounding tissue which is the epidermis.They resolve when the body absorbs this fluid. The border of a hive is described as polycyclic, or made up of many circles, and changes as fluid leaks out and then is absorbed. Pressing on a hive causes the skin to blanch distinguishing it from a bruise or papule. Hives can last for a few minutes or a few days, and vary from person to person. Also a burning sensation occurs. During a severe reaction, hypotension, which can be life-threatening, can occur. A serious reaction is most likely to occur if the hives occur with less than 3 minutes of exposure (during a cold test).
Cause : The hives are a histamine reaction in response to cold stimuli, including a drastic drop in temperature, cold air, and cold water. There are many causes for cold hives, most are idiopathic (meaning they have no known cause). Some rare conditions can cause cold hives, and it can be useful to test for these conditions if the cold hives are in any way unusual.
Diagnosis : Diagnosis is typically obtained by an allergist or other licensed practitioner performing a cold test. During the cold test, a piece of ice is held against the forearm, typically for 3–5 minutes. A positive result is a specific looking mark of raised red hives. The hives may be the shape of the ice, or it may radiate from the contact area of the ice.
Treatment: Obviously, the most important thing is to stay warm. Some air conditioned rooms and pools may be too cold for the skin. Warming up immediately after exposure to cold temperatures usually helps control the hives before they get worse. Although, the hives do not instantaneously disappear after warming the affected area(s), warming up afterwards reduces the recovery time it takes for the hives to go away. Some patients report that spreading butter or vegetable shortening on their affected areas reduces the risk of future eruptions.
Allergy medications containing antihistamines such as Benadryl, Zyrtec, Claritin, Periactin and Allegra may be taken orally to prevent and relieve some of the hives (depending on the severity of the allergy).[2] There are also topical antihistamine creams which are used to help relieve hives in other conditions but there is not any documentation stating it will relieve hives induced by cold temperature.
Cold hives can result in a potentially serious, or even fatal, systemic reaction ( anaphylactic shock ). People with cold hives may have to carry an injectable form of epinephrine (like Epi-pen or Twinject) for use in the event of a serious reaction.
Contrary to popular belief, immersing the affected area in hot water or a warmer environment does not improve conditions. Immersing the affected area in warm water or a warmer environment is a means of which is used to help bring the allergic reaction under control so it does not become worse.
The best treatment for this allergy is avoiding exposure to cold temperature.
Ebastine has been proposed as an approach to prevent acquired cold urticaria.[3]
I don't do the recommended treatment, I like to do NEWSTART. My condition had gone away the past year and I even could swim with my children. However, I just realize yesterday, that the condition came back. So I'm leaning to believe there's a spiritual factor related to this. I've been reading today that they found that it's related to "gluten intolerance". But I've was free from the condition many times without being free from gluten. However, I will heed to the facts and suspect that a high intake of gluten could increase the susceptibility to the condition.
Here's another reference that makes the distinction between acquired and inherited Cold Urticaria :
Originally Posted By: http://dermnetnz.org/reactions/cold-urticaria.html
The onset of rash after exposure to cold differs between the acquired and hereditary forms.
In the acquired form, symptoms become obvious in 2-5 minutes after exposure and last for 1-2 hours.
In the hereditary form, symptoms may not become obvious until 9 to 48 hours after exposure and may last for up to 24-48 hours.
Signs and symptoms of cold urticaria include:
1. Itchy weals (urticaria) and angioedema that may be localised (affecting certain parts of the body) or generalised (rash over the whole body).
2. In some cases systemic symptoms may develop
.....-Shortness of breath, wheezing
.....-Abdominal pain, gastrointestinal ulcers
.....-Rapid and irregular heartbeat
3. In very severe cases hypotension (drop in blood pressure), shock, collapse and even death may occur
In the acquired form, symptoms become obvious in 2-5 minutes after exposure and last for 1-2 hours.
In the hereditary form, symptoms may not become obvious until 9 to 48 hours after exposure and may last for up to 24-48 hours.
Signs and symptoms of cold urticaria include:
1. Itchy weals (urticaria) and angioedema that may be localised (affecting certain parts of the body) or generalised (rash over the whole body).
2. In some cases systemic symptoms may develop
.....-Shortness of breath, wheezing
.....-Abdominal pain, gastrointestinal ulcers
.....-Rapid and irregular heartbeat
3. In very severe cases hypotension (drop in blood pressure), shock, collapse and even death may occur
Well I thought it would be good to share this with you all since this condition is somewhat common and in some cases could be fatal.
Here's how to do the ice cube test at home :
Quote:
Cold urticaria can be diagnosed by applying an ice cube against the skin of the forearm for 1-5 minutes. A distinct red swollen rash should develop within minutes in the area exposed to the cold-stimulation test if a patient has cold urticaria.