Nancy Waweru: Cold urticaria robbed me of my sleep

“With each sunset and sunrise, I endure the relentless torment of incessant body itchiness, leaving me in constant discomfort.”

This is according to Nancy Waweru a mother of two from Githunguri who was diagnosed with a cold urticaria health condition which leads to allergic reactions when the body or rather skin is exposed to cold temperatures.

“This condition has really disturbed me for decades now, before I went for the checkups I thought it was just a mere itching that will go away after some time but that was not the case,” narrates Waweru.

She says that the condition worsened when she started experiencing severe headaches, fatigues, and the pains which would keep her awake a whole night.

According to Dr Mahindra Pancholi a consultant dermatologist and venereology in Nairobi cold urticaria symptoms are different depending on the patient. “Cold urticaria symptoms vary, but the common ones which are experienced in most patients are a burning sensation on the body, swellings, red hives, itchiness, raised welts at the site of exposure, fever and joint pains,” said Dr. Pancholi.

Dr Pancholi said that the motive behind the reactions after exposure to cold temperatures is still not known. The studies have not outlined the cause organism for the condition.

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The dermatologist, advised urticaria patients to protect their bodies by putting on warm clothes as well as being cautious with the change in temperatures, like drastically fall in temperatures.

He also advised the patient to take over the counter antihistamine drug before going to the cold temperatures or before the onset of cold season, avoid foods and drinks that are ice cold because they would lead to the swelling of the throat.

“If one is planning to travel and has the urticaria condition, we advise them to take antihismines prior to the journey day, and carry protective clothing gears to reduce the chances of getting exposed to the cold and the effects that come along it, “advised Dr. Pancholi.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), severe symptoms of cold urticaria require immediate medical attention. These symptoms may include anaphylaxis, a severe acute allergic reaction that causes breathing problems like wheezing, swelling of the tongue and throat, heart palpitations, a drop in blood pressure or fainting and shock.

According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the best way to prevent cold urticaria and a possible allergic reaction to cold is to avoid exposure to cold temperatures.

It is also advisable to wear protective clothes during cold-weather months, like warm jackets, hats, gloves, and scarves, drink beverages that are room temperature and don’t contain ice-cold foods like ice creams.