# Allergic to cold? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 28, 2007, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/allergic-to-cold/420801 "2007-09-28T13:17:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2007, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/allergic-to-cold/420801/1 "2007-09-28T13:17:00Z")
A 25 year old woman in today’s Dear Abby claims to be allergic to cold - > [@](#): > > I was diagnosed with a severe allergy to cold. I cannot touch, eat, breathe or be exposed to cold temperatures without serious risk to my life in the form of anaphylactic shock Huh? Has anybody ever heard of such a thing? She goes on to state that she has a handicap parking permit for this so she can park as close to entrances as possible. ---
**Author:** ![DrFidelius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drfidelius/32/3447_2.png) [@DrFidelius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrFidelius)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2007, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/allergic-to-cold/420801/2 "2007-09-28T13:28:11Z")
Yes, severe cold can trigger an allergic reaction. > **[Cold urticaria-Cold urticaria - Symptoms & causes - Mayo Clinic](https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cold-urticaria/symptoms-causes/syc-20371046)** > > Learn more about the symptoms and treatment of this allergic skin reaction caused by cold that most often affects young adults. ---
**Author:** ![KarlGauss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/karlgauss/32/3713_2.png) [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2007, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/allergic-to-cold/420801/3 "2007-09-28T13:29:03Z")
Yes, it exists. Search under cold anaphylaxis. For example [here](http://www.respiratoryreviews.com/jun04/rr_jun04_anaphylaxis.html). ---
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2007, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/allergic-to-cold/420801/4 "2007-09-28T21:39:41Z")
I think the lady has much bigger problems than dirty looks from passerby when she uses her placard. And those problems have a very simple solution: a solution that involves a moving truck and a map of the southern U.S. ---
**Author:** ![Freudian\_Slit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@Freudian\_Slit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freudian_Slit)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2007, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/allergic-to-cold/420801/5 "2007-09-28T21:43:29Z")
[QUOTE=HeyHomie] I think the lady has much bigger problems than dirty looks from passerby when she uses her placard. And those problems have a very simple solution: a solution that involves a moving truck and a map of the southern U.S. [/QUOTE] Isn’t that a complicated solution? Why uproot your entire life if you’ve already managed to deal with your allergy? ---
**Author:** ![HeyHomie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heyhomie/32/207_2.png) [@HeyHomie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HeyHomie)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2007, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/allergic-to-cold/420801/6 "2007-09-29T03:50:46Z")
[QUOTE=Zoggie] Isn’t that a complicated solution? Why uproot your entire life if you’ve already managed to deal with your allergy? [/QUOTE] Seems to me like the risks would be too great. All it takes is one slip-up and she’s screwed. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [September 29, 2007, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/allergic-to-cold/420801/7 "2007-09-29T13:45:34Z")
[QUOTE=HeyHomie] Seems to me like the risks would be too great. All it takes is one slip-up and she’s screwed. [/QUOTE] I would agree. Though I do understand that moving, changing jobs or whatever can be a big deal. I live in a cold climate. I have no problem with it. I don’t know too many people that dislike the cold that stick around. I suspect that the main reason that people don’t make it here is the long winters. But sheess, anaphylactic shock? The equator would be looking pretty good to me.