Allergy to cold in a child: causes, symptoms and treatment

An allergy to cold a child may occur not on walks in frost, but and in contact with snow, rain, or when taking a cold drink. Symptoms of a cold allergy bring a lot of unpleasant moments to a child. This disease has its own characteristics. On the one hand, it can go away on its own after a few seasons. On the other hand, an allergic reaction to cold can trigger the development of bronchial asthma. Therefore, parents should know what a cold allergy looks like and how it treats 

• Child allergy to cold: symptoms and causes
• Cold Allergy Symptoms
• 3 reasons for cold allergy
• How to Treat Cold Allergy in Child

Child allergy to cold: symptoms and causes of appearance

Some children are much more sensitive to the cold than their peers. They don't just get cold on the street, but cover with rashes and blisters. This specific reaction can often be confused with other allergies or common cold.

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Allergy to  cold in a child has its main difference — symptoms do not go away immediately in a warm room, but keep for several days. In  medicine, it can still be called "cold dermatitis" or "cold urticaria". It is not known exactly why this disease occurs. It is quite rare in infants and slightly more common in children 6-7 and 12 years. According to one version, cold allergy has become often diagnosed due to changes in the lifestyle of children. The body of a modern child is weakened due to mental overload, constant being in the room and lack of physical activity.

Read also: A healthy lifestyle for a student: what in includes 

Cold Allergy Symptoms

1. Rash, itching, burning and redness appear on the face, arms, shoulders, legs. Blisters often occur.

2. Runny nose, sneezing, swelling of the nasal mucosa, lacrimation appear on the street. May lead to respiratory failure. In a warm room, these symptoms quickly disappear.

3. Headaches, deterioration in general condition, fever, weakness.

4. Patients may experience swelling of the tongue, lips, and throat after taking cold drinks.

A cold allergy in a child can be confused with allergy to outerwear down ​​or wool. In this case, you need to change clothes and observe the body reaction.

Also, do not confuse cold urticaria with Raynaud's syndrome, which is associated with a high sensitivity of blood vessels to cold. With this disease, the tips of the fingers on the hands and feet freeze, the nose, lips, and ears can change their color. When a child begins to rub his fingers, they turn white and hurt. This indicates a  impaired circulation and requires a consultation with a rheumatologist.

Read also: Child knees hurt: cause and first aid

A simple test can help you determine if your child is allergic to cold. Wrap a piece of ice in a plastic bag and apply it to the forearm for 2-3 minutes. Watch the child  10-20 minutes. If you are prone to cold urticaria, the skin may experience blisters, burning, and  ;itch.

3 reasons for allergy to cold

1. Allergies can be provoked by infections: measles, hepatitis, herpes, pneumonia. Even a banal SARS and caries can cause a non-standard reaction of the body to cold.

2. Sedentary lifestyle of children and  unbalanced diet. They don spend little time outside and go in for sports.

3. Chronic diseases (tonsillitis, pharyngitis, rheumatoid arthritis) also cause cold allergy.

Cold urticaria can come on suddenly and disappear after a few seasons. But sometimes it is aggravated in the summer when swimming in the sea or after drinking cold drinks. In  11% of cases, cold allergy can provoke bronchial asthma, so it should be treated and alleviate the symptoms.

Read also: Child has a headache: main causes

How to Treat Cold Allergy in Child

Although cold allergies can go away on their own, it's best to see a doctor for treatment. He will prescribe antihistamines and special creams that eliminate unpleasant symptoms. You may need to take additional tests to rule out complications from infectious diseases or chronic diseases.

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To reduce itching of the skin, you can make baths with a decoction of chamomile or lotion with a soda solution. A special diet is also shown, in which it is recommended to eat stews and boiled dishes, sea fish, cereals, vegetables, fruits. The ban includes fried foods, chocolate, sweets and citrus fruits.

If a child suffers from allergy to cold, then continuous prevention methods should be carried out:

• Wash with warm water

• Do not consume cold drinks and food

• Dress warmly

• Before going outside, apply a hypoallergenic cream to skin.

Read also:  Activities for children in winter: what to do with your child at home and on the street

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