Cold Allergy: What It Is, Symptoms and Treatment

Cold allergy: what it is, main symptoms and treatment to control it

When the cold weather arrives, it is not only scarves that appear: questions about redness, itching or weals on the skin become very common in the pharmacy. So-called cold allergy or cold-induced urticaria on the skin is more common than it may seem and often raises many questions at the pharmacy counter. That is why, in this blog article, we explain everything you need to know about cold allergy.

Does cold allergy really exist?

With the arrival of winter come the cold, sudden temperature changes, humidity and wind, and these become major factors in everyday life. This can trigger changes and reactions in the skin, resulting in what is commonly called cold allergy.

Symptoms of cold allergy on the skin

Cold allergy, also known as cold urticaria, is a skin condition that is more common than many people realise. In this case, our skin responds in an exaggerated way to low temperatures and other environmental factors; the body releases histamine and other inflammatory mediators and a reaction appears with the following symptoms:

Itching
Redness
Tightness
Burning or stinging
Weals or raised patches
Swelling of the hands, lips or eyelids

It is an abnormal immune response to cold. Cold causes vasoconstriction in the skin, which means that blood flow decreases. This disrupts the skin barrier; it loses water as well as its integrity and function, increasing sensitivity and causing an inflammatory response.

Cold urticaria: what causes it?

The exact causes of cold urticaria are not fully known, but it may be due to:

Genetic predisposition
Immune system alterations
Infections
Autoimmune diseases
Repeated and/or intense exposure to cold

Cold urticaria: how is it treated?

Cold allergy: can it be prevented?

There are some key measures that can help prevent cold urticaria:

Avoid sudden changes in temperature
Wrap up well
Avoid showers in cold water
Limit cold drinks or foods
Follow a proper daily cleansing and hydration routine that protects, repairs and soothes the skin thanks to emollient, repairing and soothing ingredients. Below, we show you the essential products that help prevent cold allergy and, if it is already present, help relieve it:

Below we recommend some creams for cold urticaria and other products to help prevent it from appearing.

La Roche-Posay Toleriane Cleansing Cream

Gentle, hydrating facial cleansing helps keep the skin barrier in perfect condition. We recommend La Roche-Posay Toleriane Cleansing Cream because it cleans effectively while nourishing and protecting the skin. It can be used as the first step in your skincare routine, morning and night.

CeraVe Facial Cream

We need to provide hydration to the skin and strengthen the skin barrier; ingredients such as the ceramides found in CeraVe Facial Cream should not be missing. They do not just hydrate the skin, they repair it and help restore its structural integrity.

Endocare C-Ferulic Serum

Adding antioxidant ingredients to the routine gives the skin extra protection against external agents such as the sun. Not only do we protect the skin, but with ingredients such as vitamin C and ferulic acid found in Endocare C-Ferulic Serum Gel, we can also help treat and prevent photoageing and pigmentation while achieving beautiful natural radiance.

Avène Soothing Mask

As extra support at specific times or for weekly use, we recommend Avène Soothing Mask, which provides instant comfort and relief when applied, while repairing the skin and restoring its natural hydration.

Eucerin Hydro Protect Ultra Light Sun Fluid

We do not just need to protect the skin from winter; the sun can also cause damage and increase existing inflammation. That is why, with Eucerin Hydro Protect Ultra Light Sun Fluid, we protect the skin from the sun, help prevent dark spots and wrinkles and provide an extra boost of hydration.