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Disease found: | Urticaria (Cold) |
Current as of: | October 8, 2024 |
Disease Overview: | Chronic, reactive skin disorder in response to exposure to cold. Symptoms can last between 1 and 48 hours based on type. Familial type traced to chromosome 1q40. Other forms considered to be autoimmune disorders. [more info] |
Signs and Symptoms: | Erythema, hives, itching after exposure to cold temperatures. May be associated with fever, headache, anxiety, fatigue, palpitations, wheezing, or syncope. |
Diagnosis: | Place an ice cube on the skin of the subject's forearm for 4-5 minutes. If hives occurs within 10 minutes of stimulus removal, patient likely has Cold Urticaria. In some cases, 20-30 minutes of exposure to cold air may cause the symptoms. |
Treatment: | H1 receptor blockers and H2 receptor blockers (Tegamet) are effective. Can also use epinephrine, diphenhydramine, cyproheptadine, hydrochloride, and cetirizine. |
Clinical Management: | Prevent symptoms with warm clothing, avoiding cold baths, swimming in cold water. Patient education, stimulus avoidance, and medications. |
Referral: | Allergists and immunologists work with primary care providers to educate and manage patients.Referral to Medical Genetics Department, if available. Initial virtual care is also available through organizations like TeleRare Health. |
Clinical Trials: | Many clinical trials are currently recruiting. |