Is there an allergy to cold?

This is a little-studied phenomenon that is observed in people with cold intolerance. Cold allergy is a peculiar reaction of the human body to sub-zero temperatures, with hives appearing on the skin. Externally, the pathology manifests itself when a person is exposed to rain or cold wind, contact of the skin with snow, cold water, ice, or consumption of chilled drinks and food.

What is cold allergy

Even doctors do not come to a consensus on the answer to the question “is there an allergy to cold?”, so many of them reject such a diagnosis, arguing that there is no allergen that causes a specific reaction in the body, and cold is a physical effect. However, when exposed to low temperatures, some people experience a release of histamine, which provokes allergic reactions - vasodilation, itching and redness of the skin or mucous membranes, and the development of edema. Cold allergy is a negative response of the body to an irritant in the form of low temperature.

Symptoms of an allergy to cold

This problem can manifest itself in any way, and the symptoms of an allergic reaction can follow each other or develop in isolation, forming one pathological process. In this case, the symptoms of an allergy to cold, as a rule, are complex and occur in a certain order. By tracking the timing of their manifestation, it is possible to distinguish cold urticaria from another disease with similar symptoms. The most common signs of pathology:

  1. Quincke's edema;
  2. bronchospasm;
  3. red skin rashes;
  4. anaphylaxis.

On hands

The manifestation of cold urticaria is not yet a fully understood pathological process. Doctors can only say that irritation on the hands from cold appears due to the body’s increased sensitivity to cryoglobulin (protein), which begins to transform when a person is exposed to low temperatures. As a result of this process, an allergic reaction occurs.

Cold hand allergies, which are common today, have a complex mechanism of development and manifestation that modern medicine cannot yet explain. Often the disease is disguised as dermatitis, so it is sometimes difficult for an ignorant person to distinguish between these pathologies. An allergy to cold begins to manifest itself with itching and flaking of the skin, after which rashes similar to hives begin to appear on the skin of the hands and the limbs swell.

In addition to hives, blisters may appear on the skin of the hands, the formation of which is accompanied by unpleasant sensations - increased itching and burning. As a rule, cold allergies resemble burns. In some cases, the body reacts more seriously to an irritant - snow, frost, cold rain or wind - and the hands immediately become covered with swollen red blisters filled with a transparent substance. These symptoms become more pronounced after warming up (person's contact with warm water or clothing). After half an hour or an hour, the skin becomes clean again.

On the face

Mastocytes, cells that are found in the upper layers of the skin, are responsible for the appearance of skin allergic reactions. Cold is a strong irritant for them, so the cells react negatively to it, stimulating the occurrence of swelling, peeling of the skin, headaches, and chills. Cold allergies on the face appear with reduced immunity, but it can also be triggered by various chronic (rhinitis, sinusitis, sinusitis, etc.) and acute viral diseases.

A healthy body copes with the effects of cold, while a weakened one cannot prevent the development of unpleasant symptoms. At the same time, normally, after walking down the street in winter in the cold, redness of exposed skin occurs due to a rush of blood into the vessels, which first narrow under the influence of low temperature, and then expand in warmth. This reaction in a healthy person lasts no more than 40 minutes.

How does an allergy to cold manifest itself? In people with this type of allergic reaction, low temperature provokes:

  1. profuse lacrimation;
  2. sneezing/coughing;
  3. swelling of the tongue, larynx, lips, sinuses;
  4. the appearance of compactions and blisters;
  5. blue skin;
  6. headache;
  7. noise in ears;
  8. chills;
  9. dizziness;
  10. mild cramps;
  11. the appearance of pink or bright red spots.

On foot

Cold urticaria occurs in the lower extremities and has the appearance of a rash (more often the allergy affects the thighs and calf). Moreover, the disease is more often diagnosed in women, which is associated with wearing short skirts during cold periods of the year. An allergy to cold on the legs can only manifest itself after direct contact of the limbs with the allergen, and a reaction can be triggered by a temperature of +4 and below. Typically, symptoms of an allergic reaction on the feet are:

  1. pain, discomfort in the joints of the knees;
  2. dermatitis, which is accompanied by a small rash and peeling;
  3. small blisters on the skin of a pink-red color;
  4. chills, low-grade fever (rare).

Causes of cold allergies

Experts say that allergies to snow and frost are not an independent disease, but only a symptom of a somatic pathology. The likelihood of developing cold urticaria increases when another illness, characterized by a long duration, can greatly weaken the human body. In this case, cryoglobulin serves as a stimulator of the allergic reaction, and low temperature serves as the trigger.

The causes of cold allergies are numerous - from colds and infectious diseases, to chronic forms of pathologies, parasitic infestations and vitamin deficiency, which leads to weakened immunity. Doctors name the following factors that can cause a pathological skin reaction to cold:

  1. drinking very chilled drinks or food;
  2. direct contact with cold water (when swimming in ponds in winter, while cleaning, etc.);
  3. a person leaving a warm room into a windy/cold environment.

Types of cold allergies

The skin's reaction to cold is not fully understood, however, experts who study this phenomenon divide it into several different types. What types of cold allergies are there? There are two main types of pathological reactions:

  1. hereditary/familial (passes in an autosomal dominant manner from parent to child and manifests itself at an early age);
  2. acquired.

There are other classifications of cold urticaria. So, experts highlight:

  1. local allergy to cold (appearing in a certain limited area of ​​the body);
  2. with delayed and immediate reaction to a stimulus;
  3. systemic urticaria (severe pathological reaction of a generalized type).

Treatment of allergies to cold

You should not choose therapeutic measures to combat allergies on your own. If characteristic symptoms occur, contact a specialist who, taking into account the test results, will determine the original source of the disease and recommend adequate therapy. Treatment of allergies to cold is complicated by the specificity of the allergen - it is impossible to always avoid it. Patients with cold urticaria are treated symptomatically with antihistamines.

Cold allergy ointment

For mild symptoms of the disease, external agents are used - creams and ointments. You can buy them at any pharmacy, the main thing is to check the composition of the drugs, giving preference to those made from hypoallergenic raw materials. The ointment for cold allergies produces an effect after only a day of use, and the unpleasant symptoms of the pathology gradually disappear (burning sensation, peeling, itching, redness, etc.). Doctors recommend paying attention to the following remedies for cold urticaria:

  1. Skin cap;
  2. Gistan N;
  3. Panthenol cream or spray;
  4. D-Panthenol;
  5. La-Cri (can be used after the rash disappears to prevent their reappearance).

Cold allergy medications

To be able to breathe freely and not suffer from such manifestations of cold allergies as red rashes on the skin, itching and peeling, adults should take antihistamines during periods of exacerbations. Thanks to their action, you can quickly eliminate the unpleasant manifestations of an allergic reaction. Popular, effective medications for cold allergies that you can take when the first signs of the disease appear are:

Treatment of allergies to cold with folk remedies

Alternative medicines can be used together with antihistamines to reduce the intensity of the allergic reaction. Treatment of cold allergies may include the use of vegetable and herbal juices, tinctures, decoctions, rubs, compresses, and ointments. Badger fat is often used to treat cold urticaria, which effectively eliminates the unpleasant symptoms of the disease. Treatment of allergies to cold with folk remedies can be carried out using the following recipes:

  1. Herbal collection against cold urticaria. It is necessary to combine violet flowers, burdock roots and walnut leaves in equal proportions. Then pour 2 tbsp. l. mixture with boiling water (1 tbsp.), leave for an hour, then strain. The daily dose of the allergy medicine should be drunk 3 times.
  2. Celery juice. Prepare a fresh drink from the root of the plant and take it three times a day, ½ tsp. before meals.
  3. Tincture of pine bud oil against cold allergies. Pour young pine shoots (50 g) with the same amount of vegetable oil and leave the mixture for 5 months. Rub the resulting product easily into the rash areas 1-2 times a day.
  4. Pine baths. Pine branches need to be boiled in water and then poured into a filled bath. The remedy will help eliminate the symptoms of cold urticaria if taken daily.
  5. Oil tincture of herbs against allergies. Mix the same amount of burdock roots, calendula flowers, celandine herb, mint leaves. Pour 10 g of the product with oil in a 1:2 ratio and leave for a day. Keep the tincture in a water bath for 10 minutes, stirring the contents of the container. From the moment the product is ready, use it 3-4 times a day. After about 5-7 days, the skin will look better.

Prevention of cold allergies

People who have encountered this pathological reaction at least once must constantly follow preventive measures, since allergic diseases are chronic and tend to recur. Prevention of cold allergies implies compliance with the following rules:

  1. before going out into the cold, you should try to cover as many unprotected areas of your skin as possible with clothes (be sure to wear mittens or gloves, a scarf, a hat);
  2. use rich cream for face, hands, lip balm;
  3. pay careful attention to the choice of warm clothes - prefer models made from natural materials;
  4. use rubber gloves when cleaning;
  5. wear outerwear with a hood - it will protect from the winds.

An allergy to cold is a pseudo-allergic reaction that occurs as a result of exposure of the human body to low temperatures. Despite the fact that the disease is widespread, modern medicine has recognized its existence relatively recently.

Allergy to cold is diagnosed several times more often in women than in men. It usually manifests itself at 20–30 years of age.

Symptoms of a cold allergy can appear when exposed to cold water, being outside in cold weather, strong cold winds, or consuming cold food or drinks.

Causes and risk factors

An allergy to cold is a pseudoallergic reaction, which differs from a true allergy in the absence of certain immunological mechanisms. With pseudoallergy, the development of the inflammatory process is associated with disturbances in histamine metabolism. Experts put forward three theories to explain the development of allergies to cold:

  1. Spasm of microcirculatory vessels. Under the influence of low temperatures, a person experiences a spasm of the smallest blood vessels - capillaries, as a result of which blood supply and tissue nutrition deteriorate, which becomes the beginning of the inflammatory process.
  2. Formation of special proteins. In some people, under the influence of low temperature, special biochemical processes are triggered in the body, during which proteins are synthesized that can act as an allergen. It is these proteins that trigger the release of allergy mediators (histamine, serotonin), provoking the development of allergic inflammation. These proteins are not stable and are quickly destroyed when a person warms up.
  3. Dry skin. When skin is dry, its surface is not sufficiently protected. In the cold, because of this, cells quickly lose moisture, the skin becomes even drier and begins to peel off. This theory is confirmed by the fact that allergies to cold are most often diagnosed in people with sensitive and dry skin, as well as in elderly patients.

Factors that increase the risk of developing a cold allergy are:

Allergy to cold often develops in patients suffering from any other manifestations of allergies (pollen or household allergies, atopic dermatitis, etc.).

Forms of the disease

The following forms of cold allergy are distinguished:

Long-term allergies to cold also have a negative impact on the mental state of patients. During the cold season, many of them experience increased fatigue, nervousness, and in severe cases develop depressive states.

Symptoms of an allergy to cold

The most common manifestation of a cold allergy is cold urticaria. After contact with cold water or air on the contacted areas of the body (usually the face, neck, ears, hands), the skin begins to ache and itch very much. Then it gradually turns red and blisters form on it. In appearance, changes in the lesion are very similar to the symptoms of a nettle burn. With a large area of ​​rash, the patient’s blood pressure may drop sharply, even to the point of developing collapse.

A separate form of cold allergy is familial cold urticaria (one of the forms of cryopyrin-associated periodic syndrome). The disease is associated with a defect in the NLRP3 gene and is inherited in an autosomal dominant manner. With familial cold urticaria, symptoms of an allergy to cold do not appear immediately, but several hours after the body is exposed to low temperatures: a maculopapular rash appears on the skin.

Allergy to cold, which occurs as cold dermatitis, is characterized by the formation of burgundy or dark red spots with a slightly flaky surface on exposed areas of the skin. Their size reaches 2–5 cm in diameter. The appearance of rashes is accompanied by a pronounced burning sensation and severe itching. After some time, cracks form on the surface of the spots, then they become covered with crusts.

Cold dermatitis most often affects the skin of the hands, neck, ears and face, that is, those areas of the body that are not covered by clothing. In very rare cases, rashes can also appear on closed areas of the body, such as the inner thighs or knees.

The main symptom of cold rhinitis is a transient runny nose, accompanied by mucous discharge. Its characteristic feature is that it appears when the patient comes into contact with low temperatures, and in a warm room after warming it completely goes away on its own.

Cold conjunctivitis is manifested by increased lacrimation, eye pain, and slight blepharospasm. In the warmth, the symptoms of cold conjunctivitis go away on their own.

Exposure to cold air on the bronchial mucosa in some people leads to the development of bronchial hyperreactivity - a bronchoconstrictor reaction of the airways. Clinically this is manifested by an attack of bronchial cold asthma:

  1. labored breathing;
  2. dyspnea;
  3. cyanosis of the nasolabial triangle;
  4. on auscultation – multiple wheezing in the lungs.

Diagnostics

If a cold allergy is suspected, the patient should be consulted by an allergist. To confirm the diagnosis, a cold test is performed: a small piece of ice is placed on the patient's skin and left for 3-5 minutes. If the test result is positive, typical cold urticaria develops in the area of ​​ice contact with the skin. If necessary, pH-metry of the skin and dermatoscopy of the elements of the rash are additionally performed.

A blood test allows you to determine in the serum the presence of proteins specific to cold allergies (cryoglobulins, cryofibrinogen, cold antibodies).

In some patients, an exacerbation of cold allergy may be accompanied by the appearance of blood proteins in the urine (hemoglobinuria).

To identify the underlying disease that caused the formation of an allergy to cold, the patient is referred for consultation to specialized specialists (gastroenterologist, gynecologist, urologist, dentist, endocrinologist, etc.).

Allergy to cold is diagnosed several times more often in women than in men. It usually manifests itself at 20–30 years of age.

If there are indications, additional laboratory and instrumental examination is carried out, which may include:

Skin forms of allergy to cold should be differentiated from dermatitis caused by other causes (contact, drug, atopic dermatitis), as well as psoriasis.

Treatment of allergies to cold

Treatment of allergy to cold, first of all, consists of preventing further contact of the patient with cold (warm clothing in winter, bathing in warm water, avoiding cold food and drinks). In winter, especially on windy days, before leaving the house, any fatty cream should be generously applied to exposed skin.

In the complex treatment of cold allergies, antihistamines, multivitamin preparations, as well as drugs that improve microcirculatory circulation and trophic processes are used. In addition, identified concomitant diseases are treated.

For patients with mild symptoms of cold allergy, hardening procedures are recommended. Hardening begins with dousing with warm water (water temperature 37–37.5 °C). Every five days the water temperature is lowered by one degree, gradually bringing it to 10 °C. If, with the next decrease in water temperature, clinical manifestations of an allergy to cold occur, the temperature is again raised to a tolerable level, then after a few days it is reduced again. Hardening treatment is allowed only in patients with a mild course of the disease. In the case of a severe cold allergy, dousing with cold water can lead to the development of anaphylactic shock, a potentially life-threatening complication.

A relatively new method of treating cold allergies is autolymphocytotherapy, which consists of injecting the patient with lymphocytes previously obtained from his own blood. The course usually includes 8 procedures, performed every other day. Autolymphocytotherapy has proven itself to be an effective and at the same time safe method of treating cold allergies.

Diet for allergies to cold

If allergies to cold worsen, it is recommended to adhere to a hypoallergenic diet. The following should be excluded from the diet:

  1. spicy, salty, fatty and fried foods;
  2. strong broths;
  3. spices;
  4. smoked meats;
  5. sausages;
  6. seafood;
  7. eggs;
  8. ice cream;
  9. processed and sharp cheeses;
  10. industrially made sauces (ketchup, mayonnaise);
  11. pickles and marinades;
  12. some vegetables (bell peppers, tomatoes, spinach);
  13. nuts;
  14. mushrooms;
  15. citrus;
  16. confectionery.

It is recommended to include in the diet:

  1. dairy products;
  2. cereal dishes (except semolina);
  3. lean meat;
  4. mild varieties of cheese;
  5. green apples;
  6. vegetable oil;
  7. dishes made from vegetables, preferably green (zucchini, cabbage, squash, green beans, green peas, dill, parsley, etc.).

Possible consequences and complications

In severe clinical cases and lack of timely treatment, cold allergies can lead to the development of serious complications:

  1. swelling of the larynx – usually develops after consuming cold foods or drinks. The patient suddenly develops inspiratory shortness of breath (difficulty inhaling), and a sensation of a foreign body appears in the throat. The voice becomes hoarse and muffled.
  2. anaphylactic shock – its first symptom is usually a sharp pain in the area of ​​skin rashes, then vascular collapse and bronchospasm quickly develop. Symptoms of anaphylactic shock develop rapidly, and if the patient does not receive immediate medical attention, he may die.

Long-term allergies to cold also have a negative impact on the mental state of patients. During the cold season, many of them experience increased fatigue, nervousness, and in severe cases develop depressive states.

Forecast

In most cases, an allergy to cold does not pose a threat to the patient's life. However, the disease is long-term and requires regular therapy. In case of severe allergic reactions to cold exposure, it may be necessary to change your place of residence.

Prevention

As part of the prevention of the development of allergies to cold, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, endocrine system, helminthic infestations, and also sanitize all foci of chronic infection in the body should be promptly diagnosed and treated.

In cold weather, you should dress warmly and protect exposed areas of the body with a rich cream, especially for people with dry skin.

If you plan to be in the cold for a long time, you should take a thermos with a hot drink with you. A few sips of hot liquid allow the body to quickly warm up and thereby prevent the development of cold allergy symptoms. But drinking alcoholic beverages in the cold for the purpose of warming up is strictly prohibited! Alcohol promotes the expansion of skin capillaries and thereby increases the transfer of heat by the body. As a result, hypothermia develops, and the preconditions are created for the launch of the pathological mechanism of allergy to cold.

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With the advent of the new millennium, all kinds of allergic reactions of the human body literally haunt all of humanity. They can arise in the most unexpected areas - for example, with the onset of sub-zero (close to zero) temperatures, you may encounter a banal allergy of the body to cool air. Therefore, by studying the symptoms and treatment of cold allergies, you can prevent serious consequences for the body that unexpectedly arise or worsen during cold periods.

General Basics

Climatic conditions are common causes of certain human health disorders. Cold can not only cause certain discomfort in an individual, but also forces all body systems to function with tension - adaptation to low temperatures rearranges physiology in order to preserve and maintain the optimal temperature regime for the body.

Allergy to cold or cold allergy is associated with a low-adaptive, inadequate reaction of the body to weather conditions in the form of low temperature, strong dampness and wind. Studies indicate that the manifestation of an allergic “recall” of the body occurs already at a temperature slightly less than +4°C (in some cases, even +7°C). Cold water, food, or even bed can also serve as an allergen.

The physiological basis is the phenomenon of precipitation of blood proteins cryoglobulins during cooling of the entire human body or individual parts of it. When the temperature rises, everything returns to normal - proteins will again be broken down in the usual way.

Sometimes skeptics doubt whether there is an allergy to cold at all, because low temperature itself, at first glance, is not an allergen in its essence (it is not caused by immunoglobulin E, as in other cases of allergies). Although the facts indicating that it is cold that generates a body response corresponding to all allergy symptoms have been confirmed by extensive scientific research.

Allergy to cold in the adult population as a type of special disease manifests itself on average in 0.05% of patients in various clinics, but every year the number of cold allergy cases increases, which some researchers associate with the consumption of preservatives.

What does it come from?

Before analyzing the causes of cold allergy, it is necessary to mention its 2 most common forms:

  1. Acquired (formed during a certain lifestyle of a person), or idiopathic (without a clearly defined cause of the disease).
  2. Inherited (a predisposition to allergies is given from birth, transmitted through the genes of close relatives) or family.

Doctors treating cold allergies agree on one thing - this disease does not occur against the background of an absolutely healthy body and is a companion to other health disorders. As a rule, the following most common reasons are mentioned:

  1. the presence of inflammatory processes in humans;
  2. general weakening of the body after suffering serious illnesses;
  3. infection by parasites (helminthic infestations);
  4. diseases of a chronic nature (gastritis, pancreatitis, colitis, cholecystitis);
  5. infectious diseases of bacterial and viral nature;
  6. pathological processes of the thyroid gland;
  7. certain pathologies of the skin;
  8. long-term use of antibiotics during previous treatment.

A high incidence of an unusual reaction to low temperatures with age is also recorded - the skin ages (the function of natural regeneration decreases).

What signs are there?

The symptoms of cold allergy in people prone to this disease are mostly similar. Under the influence of low temperature, specific systemic reactions occur:

  1. blood pressure decreases;
  2. weakness and malaise appear throughout the body;
  3. headache occurs or worsens;
  4. Abdominal pain is detected (up to swelling of the esophagus) if the allergic person consumes ice cream, foods and drinks chilled to low temperatures.
  5. The most indicative in terms of diagnostics is skin allergy to cold. It is specific and corresponds to the manifestations of urticaria:
  6. noticeable redness or pallor of the skin surface;
  7. manifestations of rash;
  8. the occurrence of itching (even in places not directly in contact with the allergen - cold);
  9. the appearance of swelling and blisters.

People with particularly increased sensitivity to cold tend to experience increased symptoms:

  1. change in body temperature towards its increase;
  2. suffering from thirst and nausea;
  3. pain in the joints;
  4. increased drowsiness;
  5. increased sweating.

An allergy to cold in the legs can be diagnosed by their swelling and skin manifestations during hypothermia.

In most cases, such symptoms manifest themselves within an hour or two after the “encounter” with the cold, peak manifestations occur in the 6-8th hour of the allergy, and it usually goes away completely within a day.

Other forms of manifestation

An inadequate response of the body to cold, in addition to cold urticaria, can take several forms:

  1. Cold dermatitis: an allergy to cold manifests itself on the face, hands and skin of the entire body in general (in the form of swelling, peeling, which reveals itself some time after direct exposure).
  2. Cold conjunctivitis: accompanied by pain in the eyes, profuse secretion of tears (the reaction occurs not only in open cold air, but in the case of unclosed windows).
  3. Cold rhinitis: a severe runny nose that appears only in a warm room, accompanied by strong mucus secretion.
  4. Cold erythema: allergy to cold on the hands and other open parts of the body in the form of excessive redness, rash, pain as a result of a significant rush of blood to the capillaries of the skin.
  5. Cold radiculitis: inflammation of nerve endings when staying in a low-temperature environment, significant pain in the back or neck.
  6. Cold breathing disorders: manifest themselves directly in low-temperature air with shortness of breath, coughing, unpleasant sensations in the throat (tears, dryness) - a bronchospastic reflex (spasms) occurs.

Age differences

Age-related features of cold allergies have their own specifics. The fair sex is most susceptible between the ages of 20 and 30. Symptoms of cold allergy in adults differ little from the features already listed.

Some medical publications indicate statistics on the manifestation of symptoms of inadequate response to cold in children and adolescents - on average 2 - 8% of cases of all manifestations of skin allergies. But other data is noteworthy.

Allergy to cold in a child, during the period of its occurrence, is less controllable. This is due to the fact that sometimes it is difficult for children to objectively assess their current temperature state. Therefore, hypothermia and temperature discomfort due to poorly chosen clothing are common causes of cold allergies. Parents should remember this.

A child’s body, with its immune system not yet fully formed, may react with an allergy to cold after suffering an infectious disease (rubella, mononucleosis).

Is it possible to recover?

The course of cold allergies follows at least 2 scenarios:

  1. for short-term;
  2. for a long time.

When a reaction develops along the first path, the allergy does not linger in the human body, its symptoms disappear within a few days on their own and without harmful consequences. In the case of a long-term scenario, the symptoms worsen, the allergy sufferer’s condition worsens, and therapeutic intervention becomes simply necessary.

Treatment of cold allergy consists of a series of procedures designed to relieve existing symptoms. This is where antihistamines come to the rescue, reducing or slowing down the reaction of various receptors of the human body to irritants.

If there is significant inflammation of the skin, an ointment for cold allergies with a calming effect or for dermatitis will help.

Recently, autolymphocytotherapy has been used to treat allergies to cold. The patient with allergies is intensively injected with immunocompetent cells - lymphocytes isolated from the blood of the patient with cold allergies. This treatment gives a stable (long-lasting) antiallergic effect.

Experts have not yet developed an established method for treating allergies to cold and which method is most effective. Immunologists focus on strengthening the immune system, gastroenterologists pay attention to eliminating digestive system failures, dermatologists see a panacea in general cleansing of the body. But preventive actions to prevent allergies to low temperature environments are considered mandatory.

Prevention issues

Understanding how an allergy to cold manifests itself will help to have a successful preventative effect on the body. First of all, as with any symptoms of other types of allergies, it is necessary to minimize contact with the allergen:

  1. during the cold period, it is necessary to reduce the time spent in frosty air to a minimum;
  2. it is important not to bring the body to even minimal hypothermia;
  3. We do not allow food products and liquids that are cold or chilled to low temperatures;
  4. cold water for washing, bathing, and hand washing is strictly inapplicable;
  5. physical activity in open space during periods of low air temperature is contraindicated;
  6. You need to have in your own first aid kit specialized products to protect the skin of your face, hands, and feet from the cold (they are applied 16-20 minutes before going out into the cold).

Special requirements apply to clothing and fabrics:

  1. Its upper part should effectively retain heat and prevent cold (wind and waterproof).
  2. The bottom layer, which is in direct contact with the body, is made of natural fibers (linen, cotton).
  3. Hats should also prevent the penetration of wind and moisture.
  4. Protection of hands and feet must be adequate (leather products that must protect joints).

You also need to carefully monitor your general lifestyle: undergo comprehensive examinations on time to maintain your own health in good condition and to identify disorders that contribute to the occurrence of allergies to cold.

And, of course, you should practice hardening procedures, the beginning of which should start in the warm season.

Attention to one’s health, maintaining the reserves of one’s own immune system at an appropriate level, and avoiding excessive exposure to low temperatures (in any of its manifestations) will serve as a reliable foundation for the prevention of cold allergy, and will also reduce the level of manifestation of its symptoms in people predisposed to this type of disease.