I am allergic to the cold (small clip of it at the end) sooo discouraged
February 28th, 2010 by admin
I am very discouraged right now. With all the cold weather ahead I feel like it’s hopeless for me. Yeah I’m kinda having a pity party.
Duration : 0:7:1
Posted in im allergic
February 28th, 2010 at 4:43 pm
I literally cannot …
I literally cannot provide any more info on the topic, so its up to the medical researchers now!
Hopefully, because I think it is a problem with IgE, research on general allergies might be able to help these conditions as well in the future. Fingers crossed, and all the best.
February 28th, 2010 at 4:43 pm
Hmm. I couldn’t be …
Hmm. I couldn’t be sure then if the shots would help the cold urticaria, you’ll just have to wait and see I guess. 19yrs is a typical age to get acquired cold urticaria, I first noticed mine around 15 because when I swam I would get a very superficial rash over my body. I didn’t think much of it though. But recently within the last year or two my allergies to my dog suddenly got worse, and not suprisingly my cold urticaria is quite bad now too. I must be some kind of developmental thing.
February 28th, 2010 at 4:43 pm
OMG it’s for all …
OMG it’s for all kinds of things. Everytime I go they have to seperate the shots into two syringes due to all the things I’m allergic to. I don’t even get shots for everything. They only chose the most severe. I never had allergies until I was around 30yrs old. The allergy to cold however started when I was around 19yrs old.
The doctor told me people are born predisposed to allergies and that something usually sets them off. I belive it was a rental home with mold that did it.
February 28th, 2010 at 4:43 pm
Do you know what …
Do you know what the allergy shots are for? I.e. are they for multiple allergens or just one?
Doctors are generally clueless (even most allergists/immunologists) about this condition, which is why I’ve had to research it myself. The bottom line is though, even if the condition doesn’t improve there is still a chance (albeit, a remote one) that the condition will suddenly disappear. But even if it doesn’t just be thankful you cold urticaria and not solar urticaria! That would seriously suck.
February 28th, 2010 at 4:43 pm
I get two shots a …
I get two shots a week and it’s been 2 years now. I have to take them for around 5 yrs. I walk/jog quite a bit for cardio. I like to do 3 miles and I guess on average I do it 4-5 times a week. Every once in awhile I skip a week. As for stress, fortunately I don’t stress out much. I’m a pretty happy person most of the time.
The few doctors I’ve spoken to about this condition seem to have no answers for me. You have given me more info than they have LOL.
February 28th, 2010 at 4:43 pm
Benadryl is a first …
Benadryl is a first generation antihistamine, which means it will knock you out. You need to find a second, or third, generation one. Xyzal is one of these (however, they still make me a bit drowsy). I hope I haven’t been too technical, but unfortunately given what I believe is the pathology of the condition, it is not likely that any time soon there will be a cure. But you can’t let it control you life, and you need to try and think +ive thoughts and keep stress levels down.
February 28th, 2010 at 4:43 pm
But as you mention …
But as you mention you are allergic to many things, unfortunately each of those allergies contributes to the overall IgE count. So shots for only one allergen (e.g. dust mite) probably wouldn’t reduce the overall level (does that make sense?). Therefore, and finally, the only other way I can think of which might help in the long run are general strategies to reduce allergy severity – cardiovascular exercise, eating well, reducing stress (meditation might be helpful).
February 28th, 2010 at 4:43 pm
So really the only …
So really the only long term solution to this problem is to reduce your IgE levels. The only way I can think of which might achieve this is immunotherapy (successive allergy shots). You mention that you are already getting these? Apparently you have to get shots of increasing potency over a long period (up to three years for any effect – I know it sucks).
February 28th, 2010 at 4:43 pm
Sorry I’ll continue …
Sorry I’ll continue where I left off yesterday (Youtube wouldnt let me post anything more). So as I was saying, some studies have shown that systematic increases in exposure to the cold over months can desensitise the reaction one gets, so in the long run it probably wouldnt help to completely avoid the cold. However, this exposure method only works in the duration of the time you are doing it. Once you begin to avoid the cold again your skin seems to revert back to its original condition.
February 28th, 2010 at 4:43 pm
Very interesting. I …
Very interesting. I was told I could take something like benadryl but then that would only make me drowsy which would defeat the purpose because obviously I’d be taking it to leave the house. My husband asked me about exposing myself to cold over time but I have been exposed off and on for years and it has only gotten worse. I probably need to try a non drowsy antihistamine. I wish there were more studies on this condition! It’s annoying as heck! I break out indoors all the time.
February 28th, 2010 at 4:43 pm
However, although …
However, although depending on the severity of your condition, these may not provide complete relief. I have found XyZal to be an effective brand. Try different ones (non drowsy is obviously preferable). Also some studies have shown that systematic increases in exposure to the cold over months can desens
February 28th, 2010 at 4:43 pm
Therefore, I …
Therefore, I believe there are two conditions required for cold urticaria:
1. Raised IgE levels
2. Mast cells (cells near the skin which release histamine) which have weak membranes and ‘rupture’ more easily than usual.
IgE binds to these mast cells which contain histamine which is subsequently released. The histamine causes the inflammation. Therefore temporary solutions to cold urticaria can be to take a large dose anti-histamine.
February 28th, 2010 at 4:43 pm
Hey there …
Hey there imskinnyinside, I’m glad you mentioned you get allergies to all kinds of other things. From personal research I am convinced that cold urticaria is partly caused by raised IgE levels in the blood. IgE is an antibody (immune system function) which is raised in people with hayfever, asthma, other allergies etc. However if IgE was the sole contributor that would mean every allergic person would have this cold allergy which clearly isn’t true.
February 28th, 2010 at 4:43 pm
yeah i get them to …
yeah i get them to but the suk part is that i cant go in the water ether if the water is cold i will get bumbs nd they look just like yours they ichh a lot nd i hate going out side cause im afraid of wat people may think….i get them in my face 2 but if i was to were shorts nd is cold they will turn red then they will pop out I HATE IT!!! i feel yu
February 28th, 2010 at 4:43 pm
i have the same …
i have the same thing dont fell bad and i live in upstat ny
February 28th, 2010 at 4:43 pm
My allergy may not …
My allergy may not be as severe as some, but when i know i’m going outside and it’s going to be cold, i take Zyrtec and it prevents the hives almost every time. But like I said, i don’t know how severe yours is.
February 28th, 2010 at 4:43 pm
So am I.
So am I.
February 28th, 2010 at 4:43 pm
Yes, I am
Yes, I am
February 28th, 2010 at 4:43 pm
I am living i Nova …
I am living i Nova Scotia Canada. I have not been able to go out in months. I have to run to a heated car. We have had severe cold temperatures here and my cold allergy is severe. If you know how I can send you a photo of my skin let me know. Nice chatting.
February 28th, 2010 at 4:43 pm
I’m in Texas where …
I’m in Texas where we don’t have even really have winter. I couldn’t survive anywhere else LOL
February 28th, 2010 at 4:43 pm
Mine fees itchy …
Mine fees itchy when before they pop out on top but also it feels like large rocks under my skin. I think it is my blood vessels swelling. So they go under my skin as well as on top red lumps. Where do you live? It is nice chatting with someone who knows what it is like. People think i am making it up until they see me break out.
February 28th, 2010 at 4:43 pm
No they aren’t …
No they aren’t lumps under my skin they are above. They end up looking like huge irritated mosquito bites. I try not to scratch and I get warmed up as soon as possible so that they can go away.
February 28th, 2010 at 4:43 pm
Thank You for …
Thank You for replying to me. Does your hives feel like lumps under your skin? Mine feel like I get red spots but lumps under my skin. I can’t even run to my car if is not next to my door and it has to be heated for me . I have a photo on my computor to send you by email but I don’t know how to send it on this.
February 28th, 2010 at 4:43 pm
My doctor basically …
My doctor basically told me there is nothing that can be done for that. I just have to take benadryl and see if it helps but all that does is make me sleepy and then I don’t wanna go outside so it’s no good.
February 28th, 2010 at 4:43 pm
Just wondering, I …
Just wondering, I am from Nova Scotia and I am having a hard time with cold allergy. Are you by any chance from Cape Breton?