The Snow Queen or the Consequences of a Cold Allergy

At a time when it gets colder outside, all body systems adapt to weather changes. The skin plays a particularly important role in this process. With a decrease in temperature to ten degrees and below, many are faced with such unpleasant sensations as itching, redness and swelling of exposed areas of the body. All of these symptoms can be manifestations of a cold allergy. The reason for its development can be not only exposure to cold air, but also contact with water or objects that have a low temperature. Read more about cold allergy and its manifestations on estet-portal.com in this article.

Clinical picture and methods of treatment and diagnosis of cold allergy

Most often, cold allergy affects young and middle-aged people, especially those with a tendency to atopy. It is worth clarifying that not all reactions to  exposure to cold have an allergic component in their pathogenesis.

Low temperature can damage the skin mechanically, due to the destruction of keratocytes by crystallization of water in these cells.

Also  trophic changes contribute to skin damage. They occur due to vasospasm due to cold. Many people are not even aware that they have a cold allergy. In this regard, they do not take measures to prevent this condition, which ultimately leads to deeper damage.

Cold Allergy:
•    clinical picture and diagnosis of cold allergy;
•    pathogenetic mechanisms due to which cold allergy occurs;
•    effective treatments for cold allergies;
•    how to protect yourself from frost and avoid cold allergies.

Clinical picture and diagnosis of cold allergy  

Define  the presence of a cold allergy can be done in a simple way: an ice cube is placed on the front surface of the forearm, if & nbsp; within 1-5 minutes, a red spot forms under it, which rises above the surface of the skin — this indicates an allergy to the cold.

Also, signs of a cold allergy are:
•    itchy erythematous spots — urticaria;
•    edema  skin and mucous membranes;
•    burning in the area of ​​the rash;
•    rhinitis and conjunctivitis of allergic origin;
•    lowering blood pressure up to collapse;
•    tachycardia;
•    increase in respiratory rate, whistling remote wheezing.

These proteinaceous formations tend to settle on the vessel wall and promote degranulation of mast cells, which release histamine and other inflammatory mediators. As a result, swelling of the deep layers of the dermis and subcutaneous fat develops, redness and itching appear.

Effective treatments for cold allergies

First line drugs  in the treatment of cold allergies, blockers of H1 histamine receptors are considered: cetirizine, loratadine, desloratadine. But, according to the latest data,  these medicines in the standard dosage do not have the desired effect.

For effective treatment of cold allergy, it is important to use both systemic therapy and topical agents.

Leukotriene receptor antagonists such as montelukast and topical corticosteroids have been beneficial.

How to protect yourself from frost and avoid cold allergies

The basic method of cold allergy prevention is hardening, which contributes to the desensitization of the body in relation to the cold allergen. The use of protective cosmetics also has a beneficial effect on the skin. It is desirable that these are oil-based creams. Any water-based moisturizers, especially those applied to the skin right before exposure to cold air, on the contrary, increase cooling and cold allergy symptoms. Competent care for skin prone to cold allergies, its protection and nutrition — the main conditions contributing to the disappearance of cold allergies.