Don't be afraid of cold urticaria~ Here are 5 treatment methods.

The hives that had been tormenting me for a while!
Let's talk about hives, which those who have experienced them know well.
I suffered greatly from cold urticaria.
Cold urticaria is a type of hives that occurs when the skin is exposed to cold air or substances.
It is also called cold urticaria.

The initial onset was in November 2009.
I moved from the warm Gyeongsang-do region to the very cold Gangwon-do.
That November was characterized by heavy snowfall that paralyzed transportation and temperatures dropping below freezing.
At that time, I first experienced severe itching all over my body and developed hives.
My lips are swollen, but I can't open my eyes.

When I went to the hospital, I was told I have cold urticaria.
On the first day of visit, they said the condition was very severe and that an immunoglobulin injection was necessary.
About 30 minutes after the injection, the swollen lips subsided and the itching also eased.
They prescribed antihistamines and ointments, stating there is no clear treatment method.
Even after wearing thermal underwear, layering two or three pieces of clothing, and putting on a jacket, the symptoms remained the same...
Every morning when I wake up, I take an antihistamine pill.

I went to a university hospital for treatment because I felt frustrated...
They said there is no clear treatment method for hives.
Take antihistamine medication, apply ointment, and generously moisturize the skin with lotion.
They said to get enough rest, manage stress, and avoid greasy foods.

During the cold winter months, the hives were very severe, and in summer, when entering the stream or feeling cold,

Hives have just appeared.

 

 

I took one Zyrtec tablet every day for a year.

After eating, I didn't develop hives or feel itchy.

If I intentionally didn't eat sometimes, hives would appear immediately.

The quality of life declines and I lose motivation.

I have taken medication, injections, and herbal medicine, but my symptoms have not improved.

Thinking about it, temporarily, effects can be achieved with antihistamines, steroids, and other medications.

In the long run, it's not good.

 

 

 

So, I tried it this way.

I think the reason I developed hives and pain is because my immune system has weakened.

I was under a lot of stress due to a very busy schedule and didn't exercise at all during the day.

I often wore short skirts or short clothes, and my hands and stomach were always cold.

I thought I couldn't keep taking antihistamine medication like this forever.

 

Gradually reduce antihistamine medication

 

I started cutting my daily Zyrtec in half to take it.

I took half a pill for two weeks, then cut a pill into four parts and took two of those parts for the next two weeks.

I gradually started taking less of the medication I used to take every day.

 

2️⃣ Raising the body's core temperature

 

Since I was young, my hands, feet, and stomach have always been cold.

I didn't wear short, breezy clothes even in summer, and in winter I paid attention to keeping my body warm.

I did half of my appetite twice a week, made a red bean pouch, heated it in the microwave for about 2 minutes, and placed it on my abdomen while sleeping.

 

My red bean bag. Microwave it for 2 minutes and place it on your stomach.

 

Walk more than 10,000 steps every day

 

This was the most important thing.

I never really exercised before, but I definitely walked more than ten thousand steps a day.

I went hiking once every weekend and deliberately walked to the meeting place.

 

Walking to stay healthy! For health!

 

4️⃣ Pay attention to temperature and humidity

 

I kept the indoor temperature of the house between 18 and 20°C and maintained the humidity above 40%.

Even in summer, I set the air conditioner to 28-29 degrees, and even during the peak of summer, I did not take cold showers or go swimming.

I tried to avoid direct exposure to the cold as much as possible.

 

5️⃣ Improving eating habits and managing stress

 

I tried to avoid delivery food and eat balanced, healthy home-cooked meals.

We made seasoning using anchovies, dried shrimp, kelp, and shiitake mushrooms without using chemical seasonings.

I tried to reduce the schedule and minimize stress as much as possible.

 

The effects didn't come immediately from the beginning.

It took about six months to stop the medication, and I gradually felt my condition improving.

The most impactful thing was managing the body's core temperature and correcting daily habits.

I exercised daily, managed my eating habits, and handled stress.

After reducing the medication and managing it for about a year, the hives no longer appeared.

 

The reason I continue to exercise regularly, walk, have a half-appetite, and keep my body warm is also because of this.

Because I think I need to keep managing it like this, I won't get sick.

 

Hives have no major treatment method, and only antihistamines and ointment prescriptions are available, which is really frustrating.

You must consult a specialist before stopping the medication, as abruptly discontinuing it can worsen your condition.

If you are suffering from chronic cold urticaria like me (a condition that persists for more than six months)...

If you gradually reduce the medication and pay attention only to lifestyle and basic body temperature management, you will see gradual improvement.