Cold Urticaria anyone?

[Cocothebear]

I've never had skin issues before but a few days ago I was holding a ladder outside for my hubby in the cold and my hands suddenly started itching insanely went red and swelled slightly, it went in an hour. The next day I took my Dogg for a walk and by the time I got home my hands and legs were itching like crazy and red. I literally leave the house in the cold now and my legs and hands go red and itch like mad. Hand anyone had it come on this fast and is it always this bad?? I've been on Sertraline for 7 weeks and a week ago my GP upped my dosage. Is there a chance it's linked to this? They said it can't be as it's only affected by the cold but I just feel like my skin is ultra sensitive, even brushing it with clothing makes me itch. Feeling uncomfortable and a bit lost, any help or reassurance is very welcome. Google has of course scared the living ... out of me.

I suffer with cold urticaria, and yes, it came on very suddenly for me too. Although I'd also suffered with chronic spontaneous urticaria for some time before that. The itch is insane! Unfortunately, there isn't much you can do but wrap up super warm - thermal leggings or tights under jeans, thermal tops and gloves, etc. It's horrible because if you're out in the cold but then inside for a period, you end up dressing and undressing all day long! But there's not much else you can do.

@OdeToBarney thanks so much for your reply, I just can't belive how quickly it's started! Already wishing it was summer! I've just ordered some thermal fleece leggings from M&S so hoping they help, it's my knees it's really hitting! Thanks again for your reply x

I've just returned from a city break in Edinbrough and I've been itching since I got there with all the sight seeing. I'm glad you posted this

My daughter has this and takes two different allergy meds like piriton and certerizine.an allergy tablet will help

@Cocothebear no problem at all. I remember when I was first diagnosed (privately, because my GP could not have given less of a shit) I drove myself demented trying to find out more about it. I eventually found an excellent specialist in London who diagnosed me in about 2 minutes flat and even though there wasn't much I could do, it reassured me to know that. I did used to take antihistamines to help with the itch, but they weren't very effective even at the maximum off label dosage (4 x fexofenafine per day) and then they actually seemed to be exacerbating the problem so I stopped. You just need to work out your best coping mechanisms. And take lots of hot baths!

I have cholinergic (heat) urticaria. 28 years of it!
I'm on Xolair injections which have been life changing

@OdeToBarney I know that's exactly how I feel! I feel like somethings seriously wrong how in the hell can I suddenly be allergic to the cold?! It's the most bizarre thing and I just can't believe it's come on out of no where like that. Did the specialist say it was common out of interest? Online it says it's rare but looking on here it looks like quite a few people have it!

@witchypaws oh god that must have been so tough! I'm so pleased you've found something that's helped you.

@Cocothebear I got the impression it isn't common, but not super rare. I've come across a handful of people online that have it, but no one else in "real life"!

Mine just appeared age 11 out of nowhere
For me, change of temp is worse
So if I'm already hot in summer, it's ok. But cold to hot is awful
Try and keep warm and not go from hot to cold

I have a young teen who suddenly developed it about 18 months ago. The trigger was a sea dip in July and we ended up in A&E. I had never heard of it!! I also found it ridiculously difficult to explain to people it is a real thing. We manage it with Piriton quite successfully and lately it seems to have subsided a bit. For a time he could not eat icecream or have very cold drinks but he can now.

There is a good facebook supoort page I can recommend as well. Cold Urticaria UK.

Urticaria is very much one minute you haven't got it, the next minute you have.

Mine is chronic so I already take an antihistamine a day but since the cold snap I've had to go up to two as the itching is crazy.

I've had cold urticaria since I was 3 years old, I'm now 31 and even though I was told I'd grow out of it I still get it but not as bad anymore, I used to take antihistamines and swell up really bad on my hand and face but now I just get a rash which clears up once I'm warm again.
Think just try and stay as warm as you can and treat with antihistamines if you need to, there's no magic cure unfortunately xx

My poor other daughter has heat/light urticaria which rules her life sometimes and also has it when she’s upset

Its miserable for them!

I'm so pleased to read this as I've had chronic urticaria for over 20 years and am so sick of taking 4 x antihistamines a day which aren't really controlling it. Telephone call from my Immunologist today saying no more faffing about and I'm starting on Xolair next week. Can't hurt that I also have allergic asthma as well so will help with that too.

Sorry for jumping on your thread, OP. Hope you're doing OK.

@RainbowZebraWarrior (I've NC!) honestly it's been amazing
No hives, no side effects

Stumbled across this while looking for posts about post viral hives. I had this exact thing happen when I started sertraline many years ago. Scared me massively as I already suffer with severe health anxiety. As soon as I stopped the sertraline it went.