Red patches on legs after exposure to cold

[Hay234]

Hi everyone, can anyone tell me if you’ve experienced this. When I go out in the cold weather at the moment I end up with these red patches on my thighs that feel stingy and at times my legs go slightly purple with it and feel really cold, after about 30-60 mins of being in the warm it settles back down. Tried ringing doctors and had no luck of an appointment or speaking to anyone. I’m going to go to a pharmacist and see what they think. I’m just really worried as I do have health anxiety. I’ve added some photos. Thanks in advance.

I get this as well. Along with itching if I've been exercising

I’ve had it - I think it’s cold water urticaria

Try Googling 'chilblains'?

It's normal

Me too. Drives me crazy when out walking. I never worked out what causes it though.

@Hay234 don't fret (easier said than done when you have health anxiety, I know) It's called cold urticaria. It's harmless and very common. I get it too, and it's annoying!

Wear thermal leggings when you go out in cold, that should help!

You know you have health anxiety. You don’t need a GP. You need to use the techniques you’ve learnt to deal with the anxiety.

Same here. Cold urticaria- can't swim in the sea anymore. Didn't have it before I had my first child.

It’s really common (& annoyingly itchy). I get it with any big change of temperature - this time of year is a nightmare.

Thank you everyone, I went and spoke to pharmacist and they said it looks like a reaction to the cold weather so I’ve been and got thermal leggings and wore them on the school run and it hasn’t come up as bad, he also suggested taking antihistamine.
reason I was worried was due to the purple colour was worried it was circulation problem.
modes urticaria get better or once you have it do you always have it?

I live in Norway and I get this all the time in cold weather. It is not dangerous at all. Try to put on some moisturiser if your skin gets a bit dry and itchy.

Yep, cold urticaria - I get it, too, mostly on the front of my thighs, but sometimes on my hands and lower arms.

As others have said, it's not harmful or dangerous. It's an allergic response and has nothing to do with your circulation, so don't worry about that.

Thermal leggings / long johns AND 80DD tights are your friends! The key is to not let yourself get cold, so layer up.

If I'm going to be out in the cold for long - going to a sporting event in the winter or similar - I'll take an antihistamine too, which helps reduce the itching.

@AffIt does it come up on the skin raised? Cause Google said raised bumps where mine aren’t raised at all. Just feels normal it’s the colour that changes.

I did go and get some thermal leggings which seemed to help on the school run this afternoon. Real test will be in the morning when it’s colder.

I used to get very dry skin on my calves in winter. I was prescribed a moisturiser. I stopped shaving this year after October and it hasn't returned. Can't wait till April though!

@Hay234 not always, some will and some won't. Generally my version doesn't, it's just itchy and a bit mottled looking, very much like the pics you've posted.

Be careful with this thread, though - you've mentioned you have health anxiety and you're at risk of getting yourself trapped in a reassurance loop here.

You've seen a pharmacist and multiple people on this thread have described their own experiences of a common symptom which affects a lot of people and is nothing to worry about - just a minor annoyance.

You're fine - keep wearing the thermal leggings!

I get it on my thighs sometimes if I wear tighter trousers in the cold, I have found that wearing a long coat stops it. It feels a bit like prickly heat

@AffIt thank you, this is the first post I’ve ever done just felt if I knew other people get the same thing then I’d feel reassured.

Thank you everyone, I feel reassured and will make sure I layer up when going out in the cold. Really appreciate your replies.