Cold urticaria: symptoms and treatments

Cold urticaria, also known as Frigore, is a disease of the skin and immune system that belongs to the group of physical urticarias. This chronic condition is manifested as a cutaneous reaction to contact with low temperatures, causing hubs or skin habones, either locally or generalized. For the elaboration of this article, we have the collaboration of Dr. Humberto Rondón, allergologist of Viamed Montecanal, whose experience has been key to offering precise and updated information about this condition.

What is cold urticaria?

Cold urticaria is an immune reaction in the skin that occurs after exposure to low temperatures. The main symptoms include the appearance of hives or habones that can be located in specific areas or affect large areas of the body.

The evolution of the disease is variable. In some cases, sporadic episodes are presented with long asymptomatic periods, while, in others, crises are recurring, significantly affecting the patient’s quality of life.

How does it affect cold urticaria to those who suffer from it?

The recurring form of this disease can be highly limiting in daily life. People who suffer from it face difficulties in performing daily activities such as manipulating cold objects or exposing themselves to low temperature environments. This may imply restrictions in your lifestyle, especially in cold stations such as autumn and winter.

In severe cases, cold hives can compromise the patient’s general health, due to inflammatory manifestations that affect vital organs such as respiratory tract. These situations represent a risk to life and require immediate medical attention.

How is cold urticaria?

The treatment of cold urticaria includes both preventive measures and pharmacological therapies.

Preventive measures

The main recommendation is to avoid exposure to cold, especially acutely. However, this can be complicated depending on the environment and patient activities, especially in cold climates. It is essential to adapt the preventive measures to the lifestyle of each person.

Classic treatment

The initial treatment is usually based on the use of antihistamines, which can be effective to prevent and relieve symptoms. In more severe cases, corticosteroids are also used.

However, the response to these medications is variable. While some patients manage to control the disease with these options, others require more advanced treatments.

Novel treatments for cold urticaria

In recent years, more advanced options have emerged to deal with cold urticaria cases that do not respond to conventional treatments.

Treatment with antihistamines at high doses

Currently, treatment guidelines that combine antihistamines are used at high doses or the administration of several drugs in this category. These approaches have shown good results in many patients.

Use of biological molecules

The incorporation of biological drugs has meant a significant advance in the treatment of cold urticaria, especially in refractory cases. Among the options available stand out:

• Omalizumab: A medication with more than 20 years of use in the market, known for its effectiveness in the treatment of chronic allergic and urticaria diseases.
• Dupilumab: A more recent molecule that has proven effective in severe cases of urticaria.

These biological therapies are reserved for patients in which conventional treatments have not been successful, especially when the disease significantly limits the quality of life or puts the health of the patient at risk. The administration of these medications usually requires a hospital environment due to their cost and the need for specialized medical control.

Cold urticaria is a complex disease that can vary from mild and episodic forms to serious cases that compromise the quality of life and even general health. It is essential to adapt the treatment to the needs of each patient, beginning with preventive measures and classic treatments with antihistamines, and resorting to biological therapies in the most severe cases.

If you suspect you could be experiencing cold urticaria or if you have difficulty controlling symptoms, do not hesitate to contact Viamed’s specialists. Our team is prepared to offer you an adequate diagnosis and a personalized treatment plan.