Allergic to foods, allergic to cats, allergic to mold, allergic to -- cold weather?
That’s right ... believe it or not, you can actually be allergic to winter's frigid air.
"I call it knock the breath out of you cold."
Many of you probably agree, a blast of cold air can do a number on our bodies.
“My nose starts to run."
"When I feel cold air, it's like, uh, I have arthritis."
Doctors say there is such a thing as an allergy to cold temperatures.
If often starts with hives, but those who have it--
"They can have symptoms such as drops in blood pressure, redness, blushing, significant itchiness -- even to the point with blood pressure drops that they can have a passing out," said Dr. Richard Wachs.
Allergist Richard Wachs says all it takes to start the reaction is exposure to the cold.
"When people are going swimming, if they jump into a cold pool and they have a reaction where their blood pressure drops, they can actually faint and there have been drownings from it," said Wachs.
There’s no cure but it can be treated with anti-histamines, like Benadryl and medications including Ayrtec and Allegra.
The doctor says those who have the allergy should take medication every day in cold weather.
They should also carry an EpiPen, a self injectible dose of the rescue medication, Epinephrine.
"It could be serious and you never quite know who's gonna be the one who has that sort of reaction," said Wachs.
It’s more common in children and young adults.
If you think you are allergic to the cold, talk to a doctor.
And don't think you're off the hook in the summer months.
Dr. Wachs says you can be allergic to the heat as well.
The condition is not as severe as allergies to the cold -- but if you have it, a hot shower will cause you to break out into hives.
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