Cold Urticaria (hives in response to cold)

[VeryStressedMum]

Does anyone else's child have this? My ds, 3.10 years, has, over this winter, developed this condition it seems. When he is exposed to very cold air the bits of skin which are exposed become covered in big hives.

I give him piriton and keep him warm and it goes down.

I spoke to the doctor who I don't think had ever heard of it, but he just said it's nothing to worry about.

I'm really worried that he'll have a severe allergic reaction, and there's' no way I'm taking him swimming now!

Has anybody else got this, was wondering if they grow out of it and is it harmless like the doctor said?

He has a mild egg allergy, eczema and asthma too.
His asthma has been quite bad lately, and all through the winter so I wondered if the two (cold urticaria and asthma) were linked?

I hate all this especially the asthma, I have to go check on him when he's sleeping in case he can't breathe and is dying - I know I sound totally morbid and mad.

Now I worry at nursery he 'll be playing outside and have a huge reaction to the cold.

I get urticaria for all sorts of reasons (inc dermographic urticaria), and used to get the cold version when cycling in cold winds as a student. I still get urticaria off and on, but it has never developed into anything serious, just been annoyingly itchy.

I think it is linked to a general allergic tendency - I get mild hayfever, am allergic to cats and various things trigger eczema - but I don't think it is particularly linked to severe reactions. Egg allergy and asthma might point more in that direction though. Have you seen an allergy specialist? The GP might be able to refer you if there is a pattern of things developing.

Thanks for your reply. I asked the nurse once not all that long ago if he could have allergy testing but she said they don't like to do allergy testing unless vitally important because of the risk of having a bad reaction to the testing.

Haven't a clue if that's true, but I think I'm going to make an appointment to see doctor about getting him tested.

Hi Verystressedmum, my dd (5) also has developed this this winter. i think it may have been after a virus she had over xmas time. she was fine during the very cold weather and snow but the last few months will get urticaria every time she is out in the cold. she had eczema when she was a baby but otherwise has no other allergic tendencies. My GP also didnt seem worried but i have been asked oto be referred to a paediatrician to try and get more information on how this may develop.
I know what you mean about worrying about them being in the cold- and it is so hard to avoid this time of year! i have also stopped her swimming as she used to say the water was cold in the pool. it is a shame.
let me know how your ds gets on and good luck!

I have dermographism and cholinergic urticaria (mainly heat induced)
started age 12, and I still have it now and it isn't totally controlled. I take 4 x 10mg zirtek a day and have been to an urticaria specialist at Hope hospital but have now run out of meds to try

I was also allergic to egg as a baby and stopped breathing several times (mum breastfed me having eaten egg without knowing)

My heat allergy doesn't cause me any severe problems - ok I might get covered in hives, and itch like mad but my throat and lips are never affected

I had this from when I was a toddler and took years to get diagnosed. The good news is that now I am in my late 30's and it has pretty much gone apart from a very occasional hive and I don't remember being affected much as a teenager.

As a child, I spent a lot of time on boats and in the sea. I would be fine for a while and then have to get out as the hives had all joined up and i would feel sick. The only thing that I was advised was never to dive into cold water but to get in gradually.
To be honest, I played it up a treat and never had to do cross country at school!

I took antihistimines for it. I am sure that things have moved on hugely since I had the problem but I guess the reason for my post is to let you know that you are not alone!

I am now dealing with a child with eczema which I guess is some kind of genetic to my weird skin! How stressful is all this?!

Hi OP, I know this was years ago but If you're still here please can you let me know how this planned out. My 3 year old seems to have developed it this week. It's making me really anxious! She already has egg and dairy allergy and asthma and eczema

Hi, I know this is old but my 4 year old has been diagnosed with cold urticaria & im worried sick. She reacts even on mild days if there’s a cool breeze. Did any of your children outgrow the condition/get any successful help. We’ve just been told to take antihistamines but they don’t seem to help!