Can you be allergic to the cold?

[Anonymous]

I just moved to the north-east USA from a tropical place and I get these hives whenever my skin gets cold. Is this an allergy or just something that is supposed to happen?

[Darkfairie17]

I used to get this too! I'm not sure why. I have always lived in Canada. The only thing I can think of is that it could be that your skin is too exposed to the cold. This could be from wearing clothing that isn't warm enough.

I always get this when I wear jeans in the winter, so I had to stop. Instead I wear thermal leggings and pants. Sometimes I wear multiple layers. Since we've had warmer winters, I am usually fine.

I also get it from being in the cold, then going and having a warm shower while my skin is still cold.

The best thing you can do is let your skin warm up a bit before doing anything. Don't try to warm yourself up too quickly.

The only reason I can think of for this for myself is that I have sensitive skin. Perhaps that's the reason? Either way, just try to wear warm clothing and to not stay in the super cold temperatures for a long time.

[Asker]

Wow that sounds like me! I wore jeans yesterday and my legs were red and patchy (live hives?). So do you just wear thermal leggings under your jeans or a different kind of pant? Thanks!!

[Darkfairie17]

Wearing leggings under your pants would probably help! I have stopped altogether wearing jeans. I'm not sure what it is about them that my legs don't like. But it really depends on how cold it is out there.

I've been wearing just leggings lately and I've been fine. But with the really cold temperatures we have been having I have had to layer them under pants.

[Asker]

Thanks!! What kind of pants do you wear instead of leggings? If I went out just in leggings I would die!!

[Darkfairie17]

Yoga pants usually

[Asker]

K thermal leggings and yoga pants for me tomorrow :)

Do you ever get too warm once inside? I doubt I will be lol :)

[Darkfairie17]

Sometimes, it really depends though. If it's really cold outside, usually not. It's more likely if I am inside a warm place that it gets too hot. Then I usually strip off the pants and just keep the leggings on.

[Darkfairie17]

Thanks!

[LittleSally]

You should use more moisturizer on the places where that happens and bundle up more - on those places. It happens sometimes - to people with sensitive skin. It's something like 'cold burn'.

[Asker]

That's a good idea with the moisturizer, I'll try it. And yeah I think I just need to dress warmer, think I should go get some thermal long underwear lol?

[LittleSally]

Haha maybe... Oh, I just remembered: maybe it's 'frost bite'...
Good luck with warmer clothing! =)

[serious]

Allergic to cold? I am not sure if that's possible and I don't think so it can be like that

[Zendrya]

This isn't an allergy to the cold... You can't be allergic to the air... but there could be someone in the air

[Anonymous]

No. I live just by the Arctic circle, I get hives too sometimes.