I'M ALLERGIC TO COLD | How I Manage Cold Urticaria Symptoms | My Strange Allergy

I'M ALLERGIC TO COLD | How I Manage Cold Urticaria Symptoms | My Strange Allergy
In today's video, I'm talking about my strange allergy to cold temperatures and my experience when I found out I have cold urticaria. I'm also sharing a few tips on how I manage cold urticaria symptoms, such as cold-induced hives, itching, and swelling.

I discovered that I have cold urticaria when I was 16, and the first reaction I get when I say I'm allergic to the cold is "What? That's not a thing. You're just overdramatic." But anyone who has cold urticaria knows that it is very real. Breaking out in hives is the worst feeling, and it can even be embarrassing at times, but the best way to manage symptoms is to prevent them in the first place.

Have you heard of cold urticaria before? Do you know someone with cold urticaria? If so, be sure to share this video with them! I would love to meet someone who also has this strange allergy. Be sure to leave a comment sharing your reaction to this video! Thank you so much for watching! I truly appreciate each and every one of you! ~ Lauren

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~About Me~
✦ How old am I? 22
✦ Where did I grow up? Louisiana
✦ Where do I live? Texas
✦ What is my job? Quality Engineer
✦ Am I married? Yes! To my best friend Josh!
✦ How old is Josh? 27
✦ What is my dream? To be a full-time content creator serving you!

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#coldurticaria #imallergictocold #mystrangeallergy

[welchenjoyer]

I’ve had heat and cold urticaria for about 4 years now and it’s comforting to know people are experiencing and dealing with the same thing that I do :D

[jasonberry]

Hey team cold urticaria 🖐️ keep up the fight

[EstefiPonce]

Omg! finally! I have cold urticaria since I was 5, i'm 26 turning 27 this year, and i NEVER crossed irl another person with it, usually my teachers would be noticed at the start of the year but they had to call my parents when it get worst, just in case. It was never a life or death situation, but in my city the weather is wet (that's not the word i'm looking for, sorry, english is not my first language) and that, for me at least, is the worst, like if it's dry cold the urticaria is not so bad. As I said, not life or death but every winter, or even summer if i go to the beach (and I live in a beach city) i will go into to the sea and I can't stop my skin from itching.. or when i wait the bus, when younger to school, when older to work. I just live with it. When i mention that i have allergie due to cold, people thinks that i'm saying like "i hate cold so much.. i have allergy to it" or something like that, and I'm like no.. I wish it was like that, i'm acctualy suffering a little but for long periods of times, sometimes it itches so mutch that i can't think, i even cried a couple of times, cause i couldent get to anywhere warm to begin to be stable again. It's like a bad companion that likes to be with me half of the year and make my life a little more difficult.
But really, it's been so many years and never meeting anybody that has or knows abot it.. i just forget that i have it until it's cold again

Sorry if anybody reads this, it's long and not well redacted, sorry.

Big hug if you are one of us, and if you don't, big hug anyways

[mohammaddawood]

I have cold urticaria. What has completely eliminated it for me is eliminating nightshades which are Tomatoes, potatoes, egg plant and peppers (bell, jalapeno, cayenne, chilli etc). I started with carnivore diet and slowly introduced foods until i reached the conclusion that nightshades create a histamine intolerance for me. Hope you all find this helpful.

[arlowesley]

I never knew this was a thing! People have always thought I was insane when I try to explain this to them. Sometimes it literally feels like I’m having some kind of attack. I can hardly think when it happens.

[mamasota]

when i tell people “i’m allergic to the cold” .. they laugh and think i’m joking 🥲 I started getting this in 2016 in the winter. so not sure if it’s permanent. even when i hold a cold drink in my arms up the stairs, there’s hives all on the area that i held it in.

[sheenamordasiewicz]

I was diagnosed with cold urticaria by an allergist and suffered for 15 years with it without any advice other than I should not go outside or in cold water. I couldn't even get something out of my fridge with no gloves or drink cold water!
I NO LONGER HAVE COLD URTICARIA🥳...I was prescribed very high doses of prednisone (60mg at first) for 1 year because of a serious drug reaction called DRESS Syndrome. Now I am off the prednisone after 1.5 years since my reaction and I no longer have any reaction to the cold🤷‍♀️ I've told my doctors but nobody seems interested in knowing why this is🤯.
I have been tested for lupus but negative. I have eczema and continue to suffer from random hives and skin reactions though never from cold temperature. This condition is seriously debilitating, isolating and painful. My heart goes out to everyone who suffer from it💗 Thanks for making this video!

[soullink]

I just find I have this cold urticaria. I never had this problem before. I still don't know the reason. I live in NY. This winter would be the first winter with this problem.

[momokoko]

I'm much worried 🥺..
Its been three days its happening to me...I don't know anything about this shit but it really annoys me...
I'm now 18....I always felt itchy in winter but this winter my body burns and swallows...it's really unbearable... I can't have a bath peacefully even with warm water...😐😥...oh God I'm too scared...the health system here is not really good...

[CleaningwithKim]

Wow! I’ve never heard of this before! 😳 I’m sure there will be people out there who can relate and you are also spreading awareness which is so awesome! 💕

[CleanSimpleTogether]

You explained your story so nicely Lauren! This video was so informative for those who are experiencing the same thing! I can't imagine dealing with this but I'm so glad you researched and found things that help you!

[XLAdvRider]

Well done, Lauren. There's not much info on CU because it's so rare and the symptoms are mild and not particularly life threatening. For me however, I finally confirmed my CU while surfing. I had a reaction all over my body at once and it lowered my blood pressure and I felt dizzy, weak and slightly nauseous. I got out of the water immediately. A friend with me that day is a doctor and checked me out but had no idea what it was. I dried off and changed and drove home and it was gone basically as soon as I warmed up. Googled it and did the "ice cube test" and put an ice cube on my forearm for a few minutes and sure enough it produced a hive. My doctor said he'd heard of it but never seen it in 35 years! Went to a dermatologist and all he said is yep, you have CU (take an antihistamine before being in cold). I read it's a cryoglobulin that releases histamine when exposed to cold. I do believe your diet theory has a lot of merit as I changed to paleo and eliminated a lot of sugar from my diet and my CU seems to be less of an issue. At one point I thought I was over it then had a reaction one day so I suspect it's diet. If you look at other autoimmune disorders like Crohn's disease it seems to have followed the development of the modern diet (sugar and processed foods). Some people have it so bad they can't drink cold liquids or eat ice cream and have even moved to warmer areas like Hawaii or Florida. I was living in MI for two years and it wasn't an issue until I moved back to CA (age 34) and was working in an office where the AC was kept a bit on the cool side. I noticed my hands would get a bit red and itchy then after using the bathroom and washing my hands (hot water wasn't working) it would get worse. One interesting theory I read is it could be a genetic adaptive abnormality given it seems to me more common among people with heritage from Northern Europe. The theory is if you work with your hands in cold water a lot such as fishing, it could be a benefit as it can keep your hands from going numb so you have more dexterity when they're cold. People from Africa are more susceptible to sickle cell anemia but it happens to give them immunity to malaria. The ability to digest milk sugar (lactase) began among just one group of people in Europe who raised cattle (most of the world's people can't). Epicanthic eye folds among Asian people are an advantage in areas where dust blows a lot. About 20% of people sneeze when they go from a dark room out into the sunshine (myself and my kids) with the theory that coming out of a dirty dusty cave it may have been a good idea to get that stuff out of your nose quickly. People in the US can search for clinical trials being conducted for CU at clinicaltrials(dot gov) and you'll find a few if you're interested in participating in one. There's also a CU group on Facebook. There's a similar condition people get when exposed to vibration if you can believe it. Reynaud's Syndrome is similar too but I don't think produces hives; just cold hands.

[frankpeter]

Looking through the comments I see a lot of people have onset of cold urticaria within the last few months, mine started a few weeks ago, and I wonder why there isn't a national database for symptomatology.
Mine started a few days after I got a monkeypox vaccine.

[theresankounkou]

I have also I started having it since I was 16 too. I’m still struggling with it. Winter is my worst nightmare. I usually gets triggered by walking, running and drastic weather change from hot to cold. I get itchy and the feeling of burning in my legs and bums. When I exercise I tend to avoid the treadmill at all cost. I dream always warmly during winter my legs usually wear over the knees boots. I also take this medication that seems to work but sometimes it doesn’t. I am planning to see a doctors to run some test and see if he can get on treatment. It’s the worst thing ever like I wouldn’t wish it upon anyone. It kinda reassuring that I am not the only who’s struggling with this.

[nooffense]

This makes me feel a lot less alone. Thank you :)❤️

[iftikarahmed]

I too have cold urticaria from birth as my mom is in same condition.
But since I live in India I'm good at this region as it is not so cold in winter seasons also.thank god I live in India love u India

[tiabobia]

I was diagnosed with Cold Urticaria when I was 18 but had symptoms start around age 15. The worst part for me is that I live in Canada so its a struggle to manage most of the year. I am super thankful that you have shared your tips on what helps you, I'll be trying them out this year for sure!

[aygulmemet]

It's so weird how this condition just suddenly appeared when I was 18. And then I'm told that there's no cure for it??!!

[ahsaiiara]

Hey, my name is Shara and I'm 22 and currently realize that I have that too. First time I realized was when I eat ice cream I noticed my lips are itchy but I ignored it. Until I saw my face on the mirror and my lips swollen. Even then I still didn't think it was allergic. Until now, when I'm texting this comment. I was rubbing my face with ice cubes to cool my pimples bcs some people say it's good and I also did it before and nothing's happened. But tonight, when rubbing it was fine, ofc COLD, but after that my face feels itchy and burn. I never felt burn not even when the ice cream incident. So I look myself on the mirror and my face even my fingers are swollen. Thankfully I live in Southeast Asia which is warmer than Western country so hopefully it will make less allergic reaction happen. Hope for the best for you guys. Love from Indonesia 💙

[lisab]

I developed cold urticaria 4yrs ago I was 36yrs old. The night before I was completely unaffected by the cold the next morning my hands started started swelling because the steering wheel was cold. My skin reacts to cold air, cold surface contact and cold water. I was under extreme stress at the time but other than that I am unsure of what else could have triggered this. Luckily my throat doesn't swell but my lips do if I'm eating icecream.