Can you be allergic to cold?

If you have been out in the cold and experience burning, itchy, red and/or swollen skin, you may have a cold allergy, or cold urticaria.

The allergy comes in two varieties: congenital and non-congenital. With the latter, symptoms appear 5-10 hours after exposure to the cold and usually last 1-2 hours. The hereditary variant is more difficult to detect, because the symptoms only appear after 1-2 days but last just as long.

The allergic reaction is triggered by cold water, frost or cold food and drink. Especially swimming in icy water or biting cold wind are triggers. In very rare cases, the cold can lead to very low blood pressure, fainting or a so-called anaphylactic shock, which can be life-threatening.