Apply ice to your skin for 10 minutes… If it changes like this, be sure to wear gloves when going out.

Office worker Kim began experiencing itching and pain in his hands in early November. His hands also began to turn red more frequently when he went out. Fearful, not knowing what was causing his condition, he went to the hospital, where he was diagnosed with "cold urticaria."

 

◇Hives caused by sudden temperature changes

 

Cold urticaria is a skin condition triggered by cold air, cold water, or ice. It typically occurs when the body warms up after exposure to a cold environment. The cause of cold urticaria is still unknown. However, it is believed that the sudden temperature change caused by exposure to the cold triggers an excessive immune response, causing the hives. Cold urticaria is known to occur most frequently in young adults aged 18-25.

Cold urticaria is mostly acquired. Depending on the symptoms, it can be classified as ▲primary, ▲reflex, and ▲secondary. In primary cases, itching begins a few minutes after a cold stimulus is applied to the skin, lasting 30 minutes to an hour. Full-body exposure to cold temperatures can lead to hypotension, dizziness, and even shock. Reflex cold urticaria does not cause symptoms when only a small area of ​​the skin is exposed to a cold external stimulus, but widespread hives occur when the entire body is exposed. Secondary acquired cold urticaria, which accounts for about 5% of patients, can cause the skin to turn red or purple, and symptoms last for more than 24 hours. In this case, it is recommended to get a blood test to rule out another disease.

 

◇No clear treatment… Gloves and socks are essential.

 

There is currently no definitive treatment for cold urticaria. The best treatment is to relieve symptoms by taking antihistamines. Symptoms typically resolve spontaneously after 5 to 10 years. However, if hives persist, they can lead to chronic urticaria, so caution is advised.

 

Since cold stimulation is the direct cause, avoiding cold environments as much as possible is the best way to prevent it. Especially in winter, avoid sudden exposure to cold air or, conversely, sudden overheating after exposure to the cold. Always wear gloves when going outside, and immediately change socks if they become wet from sweat or water.

 

Rubbing your hands or using a heat pack can also help increase the temperature. If you suspect you have cold urticaria, we recommend using ice. If you place ice on the inside of your arm and, after about 10 minutes, develop ice-like hives where the ice was placed, you should suspect cold urticaria.

 

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There was a hand warmer,

I need to buy one

When you come from a cold place to a warm place

Suddenly my skin feels itchy~

 

I also wore long socks today,

When should I go in winter?