10 Things Not to Say to Someone Allergic to Cold

When I was younger, say 15 or so, I went to a car show with my dad and my friend Rosie. It was the 4th of July—her birthday—and summer. It wasn't the nicest weather, but it wasn't particularly bad. A little windy at most. I was wearing shorts. We were walking around looking at the cars and some of the stalls that were selling shiny things. We sat on the grass and chatted to a stall owner about what she was selling and how she made some of her stuff. The grass was a little damp with morning dew, and there was a bit of a brisk morning wind. We were sat there for about 15-20 minutes. When we stood up, both of my legs were covered in an angry red rash. I had no idea what it was. We went and sat in the car for a bit, and the rash faded. I decided I felt a bit better, so we went outside again, only for the rash to return. We just carried on, perplexed, but otherwise fine.

Jump to a few days later, in school. I was sleeveless, leaning on the table in the biology lab when I noticed a familiar itch. Where my arms had been touching the table, the angry red rash had reappeared. I put antiseptic cream on it in case it was a bite, but it didn't help.

I told my dad, and we were both stumped as to what it could be. Was I allergic to the grass I had sat on? Had I been lying on the grass outside before class, and that set off the reaction? Was I allergic to grass? Trees? Pollen? We went through everything and nothing made sense. We even saw a doctor and we had a working diagnosis of grass, trees, pollen, dust, moss, and mould allergy. Alright then. We were told to look for patterns and see if anything made it better or worse.

In all honesty, I can't remember how I noticed the pattern, but I brought up how I only seem to get the rash when I'm cold.. Is that a thing? I told my dad, "I know this seems impossible, but could it be cold?" We looked it up and, lo and behold, you can be allergic to cold. It is a condition known as cold urticaria (CU), and typically presents as an urticarial rash on cold-exposed skin; however, it can cause systemic, whole-body, reactions and in severe cases can cause anaphylaxis. At the car show, I was allergic to how cold the dew was, which was made worse by the cool breeze on damp skin. In school, the cold table.

Flash forward to now, seven years later, I'm still allergic. Cold air makes me wheezy, so I wear a vogmask in colder months. Cold things make my skin come out in a rash if I don't take my antihistamines. Ice in drinks is a no go, but I do still eat ice cream on occasion (sue me). The most obvious sign of my cold allergy is my mask, which lots of people ask about, and when I tell them about my allergy, they have mixed reactions. Some of pity. Some of wonder. Some of curiosity. Some indignant.

I'm here to talk about 10 things not to say to someone who is allergic to cold!

1) "But it's not even cold!"

Have you tried telling that to my immune system? Every person with CU has a different temperature threshold. What makes me react might not make you react, and vice versa. Every person even without CU feels the cold differently. It doesn't have to be cold, just cold enough. If I'm reacting, it's cold enough.

And regardless of whether it is cold or not right now, CU is still an allergy that I have. People who are allergic to peanuts are still allergic to peanuts when they're not eating them.

2) "But nobody likes the cold."

Um.

This isn't about whether or not I like the cold. I am literally allergic to it. I'm not just being dramatic so I can stay inside. I actually kind of like the cold, so it sucks even more. Plenty of people enjoy the cold. Plenty of people are also allergic to it.

3) "Just take an antihistamine and get over it."

Antihistamines work for some people, and don't work for others. I've found that Loratadine works really well for the urticarial rash—both preventative and post-exposure. It doesn't, however, work very well for the effect cold has on my breathing, and doesn't stop systemic responses. During a systemic response, my whole body is basically saying "NOPE," and I feel dizzy. I get a sinus headache, brain fog, joint pain, and my hands and fingers swell up but don't always have a rash—same with my toes. It leaves me feeling sort of like this picture. It's sort of like an out of body experience. Antihistamines aren't going to fix that.

Some people with CU have such extreme reactions that they require epipens, and have to move to warmer climates. Antihistamines aren't always the answer to allergies.

FUN FACT: I am allergic to most antihistamines, too.

4) "Prove it."

No.

I could be a bit extra and stick an ice cube on my skin and sit there staring stone faced at you while I break out in an itchy angry rash... but I don't care that much.

5) "Can I see?"

If I am having a reaction and you're around for it, then sure! I have no problem with that. I like it when people learn stuff. But if you want me to start a reaction so you can see it, then please see above.

6) "But... how?"

Actually a good question. Currently, the precise cause of CU is unknown (Claudy, 2001: Journal of Investigative Dermatology Symposium Proceedings). However, histamine and a type of immune cell called mast cells are thought to be involved (Kraus et al., 2010: ResearchGate).

There are many types of allergic response, and you can be allergic to absolutely anything. There are many documented cases of seemingly impossible allergies, such as water, sunlight, and scratches.

It's a BIG question, and I don't always have the time to explain it to everyone, as much as I'd love to. It is almost always followed up with, "Yeah, but like... how?"

Sometimes bodies have minds of their own.

7) "Can't you just move somewhere warmer?"

Nope, I'm poor, and I like it here. I'll still be allergic to cold, just less allergic to outside. Lots of people have moved to warmer climates, though, particularly those who suffer from cold induced anaphylaxis. It comes down to the usual risk vs benefit. Those who are more likely to have severe reactions would probably benefit more from warmer climates. However in my case, it's not really such a huge deal. I may feel crappy, but I'll be okay once I warm up.

Moving is expensive, and it doesn't get cheaper just because it's for medical reasons.

8) "You're such a special little snowflake."

Can't be, I'm allergic. Not sorry.

9) "You're so brave." "It takes courage."

I think you've confused bravery with being alive. I'm not just going to hide forever, I'll be bored. I just strap on a mask and get to it—although, sometimes I feel brave and eat ice cream.

Courage is the choice and willingness to confront agony, pain, danger, uncertainty, or intimidation.

CU is not a choice, nor is carrying on with my life. It's just something I have to deal with. I suppose maybe if I was going to go to the North Pole and take no antihistamines, masks, or medical stuff with me, then that might be brave, choosing to end up in agony from the itch, the danger of a prolonged systemic reaction, and pain of the sinus headache that comes with it.

These comments also make me pull that face.

10) "Wow. I'd just stay inside all the time if I were you."

No, you wouldn't. It seems really daunting, but it's not actually as awful as you think. I have to be more mindful of the weather, and I always need to be prepared, but I got used to it. I work, I study, I socialise, I do sports, I still live my life, and you would too. Back when I was able bodied, I used to think that disability was awful and that it would make me really depressed, but when it happened to me, I adapted. You would too! I get some added obstacles because of my other disabilities, like cold rims on my wheelchair in winter making my hands itch and swell up, or an inability to use inhalers because of conflicting medication. But I adapted. Biking gloves and the vogmask. Problem solved!

There is help and support out there, and you'll always adapt and find innovative ways to manage whatever life throws your way. Health isn't a given, and I wasn't always allergic to cold. It can happen to anyone at any time.

It can also go away at any time, so fingers crossed!

I hope this list has been helpful and fun to read! Please share with your friends so they also know of 10 things not to say to someone who is allergic to cold!