My DC got this after a bout with pneumonia in elementary school. Apparently there are particular strains of viral pneumonia that cause cold urticaria.

It went away within a year. While he had it, we used Benedryl (quit a while ago), which he would just sleep off in the nurses office if he broke out during recess.

My child used to get this when they were younger. It never seemed to hurt. Just freaked me out. They also had childhood asthma and eczema. Asthma went away but ezcema still there at 20. I don’t think this happens to them anymore or if it does they don’t tell me about it. It always worried me more than them. I had a friend who developed it somewhat suddenly back in college too.

Thanks a lot folks!

Anonymous wrote:DS gets this. He takes zyrtec every day of the year, benadryl as needed. He has regular seasonal allergies (tested by an allergist), no food allergies (he has OAS and casein intolerance but no food allergies) and cold hives. He gets them from popsicles in the summer and cold in the fall/winter/spring, on his hands and face and exposed skin. He wears a hat and gloves/mittens (unlike his brother, who never wears anything).

Adding: usually not the spring, by then he has acclimated.

DS gets this. He takes zyrtec every day of the year, benadryl as needed. He has regular seasonal allergies (tested by an allergist), no food allergies (he has OAS and casein intolerance but no food allergies) and cold hives. He gets them from popsicles in the summer and cold in the fall/winter/spring, on his hands and face and exposed skin. He wears a hat and gloves/mittens (unlike his brother, who never wears anything).

I’m the PP. in DC’s case it’s a once daily Zyrtec combined with a once daily Pepcid. If needed, can up it to 2 Zyrtec. Last year also began Xolair which is an injection every four weeks.

Most importantly is to understand your triggers. Some people have extreme sensitivity meaning they can’t even eat ice cream. For others it’s usually a combination of temperature, wind and water that can trigger reactions. My DC no longer gets hives outside regularly but will get itchy in cold, or as sweat starts to cool while still outside on a cool day.

Never go swimming alone. Ever.

What is the treatment generally like? I started getting this as a peri-menopause woman.

Dr Karen Kaufman in Tysons treats my teen DC who has dealt with cold urticaria for many years.

YA daughter having symptoms that resolve in a day. Looking for others experiences and thoughts on doctors. Start with PCP or just go to immunologist?