# Allergic to the cold? Rash, possible TMI

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/allergic-to-the-cold-rash-possible-tmi/142619>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [December 13, 2002, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/allergic-to-the-cold-rash-possible-tmi/142619 "2002-12-13T22:00:48Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Iteki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/eada6e/32.png) [@Iteki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Iteki)\
**Post date:** [December 13, 2002, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/allergic-to-the-cold-rash-possible-tmi/142619/1 "2002-12-13T22:00:48Z")

</div>

Each winter since I have moved to Sweden I break out in a rash on my calves (front and back). It isn’t particularly red, but itches like hell. I have finally gotten sick of it and would like some suggestions on treatment (avoidance therapy begins tomorrow with the purchase of long-johns).

I googled a bit and came up with [this link](http://tray.dermatology.uiowa.edu/Urticar01.htm). That’s not what my legs look like tho, they have lots of small bumps containing what felt like a clear liquid when they pop when scratching, but which on closer inspection this evening contain a thin yellow puss :eek:

Anyone have any suggestions?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Iteki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/eada6e/32.png) [@Iteki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Iteki)\
**Post date:** [December 13, 2002, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/allergic-to-the-cold-rash-possible-tmi/142619/2 "2002-12-13T22:06:05Z")

</div>

Edited to say I just tried that ice-test I linked to, and nothing happened…

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![scout1222](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/34f0e0/32.png) [@scout1222](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scout1222)\
**Post date:** [December 13, 2002, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/allergic-to-the-cold-rash-possible-tmi/142619/3 "2002-12-13T23:51:57Z")

</div>

Very big shot in the dark:

When it’s really cold, do you wear different socks? I’m wondering if you’re allergic to whatever material is in them (wool, etc.)

My only other idea is that the few times I was in Chicago in the dead of winter, I got hellishly dry skin from all the heating that I was exposed to trying to keep out of the cold. (and perhaps some windburn as well) Maybe it’s really dry, irritated skin?

Okay, enough with the wild guesses…

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Iteki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/eada6e/32.png) [@Iteki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Iteki)\
**Post date:** [December 14, 2002, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/allergic-to-the-cold-rash-possible-tmi/142619/4 "2002-12-14T00:10:23Z")

</div>

scout1222, thanks for the suggestions! Windburn is definatly on my list, since I don’t get this on my thighs where my jeans sit tighter. The socks are more or less the same year round tho.

Anyone else got this or similar?