# Allergic to cold? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 26, 2005, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/allergic-to-cold/318653 "2005-08-26T00:09:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![BabaBooey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/dfb087/32.png) [@BabaBooey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BabaBooey)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2005, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/allergic-to-cold/318653/1 "2005-08-26T00:09:57Z")
I found that whenever I walked to school from my apartment last winter, I would start to get rashes. I thought it was coming from maybe a certain tree on the way there as I only had the problem on days warm enough to go sans sweater (low 60’s) and wasn’t when covered up. Skip to a few weeks ago when my mom had her AC going full blast. After about 20 minutes, I got a rash on my arm only where the AC was blowing. Then, just a few minutes ago, I was walking from the store with a cold slab of Natty Light resting against my belly while I was holding it, and I had a small rash right where it was resting. What gives? ---
**Author:** ![Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/50afbb/32.png) [@Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duck_Duck_Goose)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2005, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/allergic-to-cold/318653/2 "2005-08-26T01:55:34Z")
It’s called “cold urticaria”, or “cold induced urticaria”, “urticaria” being the fifty-cent word for “hives”. In other words, yeah, you’re allergic to cold. > **[WebMD - Better information. Better health.](https://www.webmd.com)** > > The leading source for trustworthy and timely health and medical news and information. Providing credible health information, supportive community, and educational services by blending award-winning expertise in content, community services, expert... > **[Kids' Health](https://www.verywellhealth.com/kids-health-concerns-4014697)** > > Raising healthy and happy children is a priority for parents. Educate yourself about the nutrition needs and common illnesses affecting your kids > **[Hives: Common Rash With Many Possible Causes](https://www.verywellhealth.com/urticaria-overview-1068810)** > > Urticaria (hives) is a raised, red rash caused by allergy, stress, or irritants. Reviewed by a board-certified internal medicine physician. > [@](#): > > Cold urticaria is diagnosed by holding an ice cube against the skin of the forearm for 1 to 5 minutes. A distinct hive should develop if a patient has cold urticaria. This is different than the normal redness that would be seen in people without cold urticaria. ---
**Author:** ![BabaBooey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/dfb087/32.png) [@BabaBooey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BabaBooey)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2005, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/allergic-to-cold/318653/3 "2005-08-26T02:05:27Z")
This makes me a sad panda. I’ve never had these until last winter, and one of the three sites says it goes away after 6-12 months, so hopefully that will be the case (anyone had it come and go?) Thanks for the info. ---
**Author:** ![Cagey\_Drifter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@Cagey\_Drifter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cagey_Drifter)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2005, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/allergic-to-cold/318653/4 "2005-08-26T02:05:44Z")
how cold does it get in New Orleans? ---
**Author:** ![BabaBooey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/dfb087/32.png) [@BabaBooey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BabaBooey)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2005, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/allergic-to-cold/318653/5 "2005-08-26T02:52:09Z")
> [@Cagey Drifter](#): > > how cold does it get in New Orleans? Fortunately not too cold, mid 40’s is about right in the middle of the winter (but humid). ---
**Author:** ![Rikster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e9a140/32.png) [@Rikster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rikster)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2005, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/allergic-to-cold/318653/6 "2005-08-26T03:20:03Z")
My girlfriend has had it ever since she was young and it has never went away, pain in the rump as it gets plenty cold enough in NJ. Her symptoms are much less pronounced as long as she stays physically active and keeps her body temp up. But even mild temps low 40s will cause hives if she is inactive for a while. I’d have to ask her for anymore info. ---
**Author:** ![Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/50afbb/32.png) [@Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duck_Duck_Goose)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2005, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/allergic-to-cold/318653/7 "2005-08-26T13:34:20Z")
> [@Cagey Drifter](#): > > how cold does it get in New Orleans? Damn cold. You need a sweater 10 months out of the year–they put the thermostat in public places like Wal-Mart at about 68 and it’s freezin’ in there.