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Chronic Cold
Cold agglutinin disease is actually a group of disorders that are characterized by antierythrocyte autoantibodies that bind red blood cells at cold temperatures (< 37° C), causing hemagglutination. Chronic Cold Urticaria is a disease where hives, or large red welts form on the skin. The welts are usually itchy and often the hands and feet will become itchy and swollen as well. Hives vary in size from about the size of a pencil eraser to as big as a quarter or larger. Chronically cold-exposed rats the release of norepinephrine and electrophysiological activation of locus coeruleus (LC) neurons is enhanced in response to multiple excitatory stimuli without alterations in basal activity.
The antibodies are usually of the IgM type but may also be of the immunoglobulin G (IgG) or immunoglobulin A (IgA) type. This chronic form of cold agglutinin disease is associated with lymphoproliferative disorders and manifests as chronic autoimmune hemolytic anemia with episodes occurring more frequently during the winter months.Cold agglutinins are present in the blood of most people. However, they occur in small numbers and are not associated with a pathologic process.The easiest diagnosis comes when the mucus from the nose ("rhinorrhea") is clear. Chronic Coldrepresents allergy more than 90% of the time, and the rest of the time it represents something called "vasomotor rhinitis," which means a non-allergic irritant is irritating the nose, and regular medications aren't going to help much.
Cause of Chronic Cold
Some common causes of Chronic Cold :
- A drastic drop in temperature
- Cold air
- Cold water
Symptoms of Chronic Cold
Some sympotoms of Chronic Cold:
- Red welts, wheals, or hives that vary in size on the skin or mucus membranes.
- They may or may not itch. Hives can last for a few minutes or a few days, and varies from person to person.
Treatment of Chronic Cold
Some treatment methods for Chronic Cold :
- Obviously, the most important thing is to stay warm.
- Some air conditioned rooms and pools may be too cold for the skin.
- Warming up immediately usually aids in the relief of the itching.
- Allergy medications such as Benadryl , Zyrtec , and Allegra may be taken to prevent and get rid of hives.
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