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Cold allergy
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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As the name suggests, a cold allergy is the result of a negative response of the body to cold temperatures. It is rare when an allergic reaction is attributed to the action of cold. The manifestation of cold allergy is not at all different from any skin allergic reaction, all the same signs of hives or dermatitis. Cold, only, acts as the main allergen, and therefore, the pattern of the course of cold allergy is the same as that of other species, although with small intrinsic features, which are slightly lower.
Development of the first signs can begin immediately, after contact with the cold environment, and may have a deferred nature, that is, arise after a few hours, when a person already will be in a warm room. The cold allergy was isolated in an independent form more recently, before that it was included in the total number of allergic reactions with the manifestation of skin symptoms. Then came the period when allergies were divided into the main type of allergen. Including: food, temperature, medicinal, seasonal and other types of basic allergens.
What are the symptoms of cold allergy?
Symptoms of cold allergies are considered, mainly, external changes in skin, such as: redness, hives, the appearance of burning, itching and rash. The swelling of the skin and mucous membranes can be expressed more or less. Cold allergies can occur without swelling, but very rarely. Basically, there are swelling of the mucous membranes of the nose, in view of which nasal breathing is either difficult or completely absent. Irritation of the mucous eye leads to increased lacrimation, a strong expansion of the blood vessels, because of which eyeballs have pronounced vascular veins. The general color of the mucous eye acquires a reddish hue.
It is important to note the fact that the manifestation of all the symptoms ceases either immediately after the elimination of the main allergen, or after a few hours, moreover, without special therapeutic methods. This, the cold allergy is different from all other species. It is enough to warm a man, give him a cup of hot tea, and there will be no trace of allergies. However, all this will help only if there is an accurate belief that the allergy is caused by the cold.
If a person has a strong predisposition to different allergies, then the cold allergy will flow with complex-combined symptoms, capable of causing a strong intoxication of the body, signs of which will be attacks of nausea, occasionally vomiting, high body temperature. In such situations, you need to be prepared for the fact that the swelling of the mucous membranes is not limited to the nasopharynx. With a rough start, it is possible to develop bronchospasm, which is dangerous not so much as an attack of bronchial asthma, but as a swelling of the entire larynx leading to a stopping of breathing. Such a type of edema is usually called a Quincke's edema, by the name of a doctor who first described the mechanism of development of this pathology, which at that time had the name "giant urticaria."
How is cold allergy treated?
Definitely, medical measures must be initiated without fail, with any signs of allergic reactions. That's just not necessary to treat specific symptoms, and competently and comprehensively approach the analysis of the situation, to find out the reasons why the body decided precisely so, roughly, to respond to interference in its affairs of negative factors from the outside. If the cold allergy occurs more than once, has a pronounced seasonality or recurs every time, when meeting with its provocateur, it can become a bright signal to the fact that the defenses of the body are weak, you need urgent support for immunity. Before the beginning of active actions, it is necessary to eliminate all negative internal factors, which can be chronic diseases and foci of pustular infection.
To successfully solve all problems, you should visit such doctors as a therapist and an allergist. Each of the specialists will assign a set of diagnostic and laboratory studies, appropriate and necessary for this particular case. Based on the data received, further actions will be coordinated and aimed at achieving full recovery.
Drug therapy is fully consistent with the principle of treating all types of allergies. The use of ointments based on corticosteroids, to remove skin reactions, ingestion of antihistamines and sorbents, preparations that improve digestion and thus facilitate the rapid removal of all toxic substances from the body that have formed there as a result of metabolic processes. Increase daily intake of liquid to two liters, in order to purify the blood and enhance the therapeutic effect of taking medicines.
How is cold allergy prevented?
In view of the fact that cold allergy manifests itself only when it comes into contact with the cold environment, it is possible to adjust to the conditions of external factors in such a way that meeting with unpleasant manifestations of this disease will be minimally probable. Even in the cold season, there are ways to avoid manifestations of a condition such as cold allergy. Dress in warm clothes made of natural fabrics or special synthetics, designed for extreme climatic conditions. Have a thermos with a hot drink. As already mentioned, mugs of hot tea are enough to relieve the signs of rhinitis and to reduce the manifestation of all the symptoms of hives caused by cold.
Cold allergy, with the right approach to its prevention and timely support of the body's defenses, can leave your life forever.