Are you allergic to the cold?

Question

When it starts to get cold outside my nose starts running like a faucet, all my joints start to ache, i have weird temperature spikes and just feel like crap. My doctor tells me that people cannot be allergic to cold weather. I am not convinced.

msc545 · Accepted Answer

It just seemss like you are allergic to the cole. In cold weather:

1. Indoor Allergens Increase
When it’s cold, people spend more time indoors with windows closed. This traps dust mites, pet dander, and mold spores, which are common indoor allergens. Central heating can stir them up, increasing exposure and causing symptoms similar to seasonal allergies—sneezing, congestion, itchy eyes, and runny nose.

2. Dry Air Irritates Airways
Cold air and indoor heating both reduce humidity. Dry air can irritate nasal passages, throat, and skin, which can mimic or intensify allergy-like symptoms, even if no allergen is involved. This dryness can also make the nasal lining more sensitive to allergens and pollutants.

3. Cold Air Triggers Non-Allergic Rhinitis
Some people experience non-allergic rhinitis, where cold, dry air triggers nasal inflammation and congestion without an actual allergic reaction. It’s a sensitivity of the nasal nerves, not an immune response.

4. Weakened Mucosal Defense
Cold air can impair the nose’s natural defense mechanisms—like mucus production and cilia movement—making it easier for irritants and germs to cause inflammation, which can feel like allergy symptoms.

5. Mold and Heating Systems
If a home has poor ventilation or moisture problems, mold spores can thrive in damp areas (like basements or around windows) even in winter. Forced-air heating can also spread them through ducts.

nolabels · Accepted Answer

With my quick look at defining the word allergy revealing that they are an abnormal reaction to otherwise harmless substances, I wouldn't label the normal reactions of the human body to the relative absence of heat compared to warmer weather as an allergy.

I see that cold urticaria has been mentioned elsewhere in the comments.
The symptoms of that rare allergy are a rash or hives.

I've observed that my advancing age has greatly increased my sensitivity to colder
weather.
I believe that's pretty normal.

I've also been experiencing, regardless of the weather, many problems with fevers and rather abnormal body thermoregulation, joint pain, a seemingly unending nasal aqueduct, along with a general crap-like feeling. 💩

Speaking solely for myself, of course, with my situation being thus far formally undiagnosed by the medical community, my lay research indicates that it's certainly found to occur more often in those of a longer tooth than in youngsters.

I'll say the next sentence with nothing except all intended humor and jocularity.
Could it be that you've put some years behind you, there, exitseven?

Cheers to you, and button up when you head outside! 😊👍

midnightmoon05 · Accepted Answer

No.
but I do catch colds from my students 2 times a year.
I am okay with cold weather like now.

here we get really really cold weather for 2-3 weeks (below 20% with bone chilling winds) … I don’t like.

Heat - I get hives, so I am trying to figure out how to manage that.,

Joints - we are in very good health because we are changing our diet. Hubby works out very hard yo maintain bone/ muscle strength… you can talk to him about these.
one thing we do is to make sure we stay away from doctors n meds. I’m glad I med him becized we have these in common.

RandomGirl42 · Accepted Answer

I wondered this too so I just googled it:

Yes, it is possible to be allergic to cold, a condition known as cold urticaria.

I don't have this condition but I am going to say that I do from now on so people won't ask me to go outside and do chores when it's cold.

SeriouslyNotSerious · Answer

Cold allergy is possible sir. Here in SE Asia, when it gets super cold some people experience hives, skin allergies, runny nose.

Some doctors are really just not that amazing, from my experience as a nursing student. Some doctors will stand for what they believe in rather than the truth.

SereneScribe3 · Answer

I didn't even know that such a condition existed. (Apparently it does and it's called cold urticaria!) That's one of the few genuinely useful things I've learned on Gag in days.

I thought most allergies are more common in spring weather and triggered by tree or plant pollen, whereas in the winter you're more susceptible to catching colds or getting viruses. Anyway nah, I'm pretty resilient to the cold; I've only gotten sick a handful times in my life during winter. In fact, I prefer it to summer heatwaves, mosquitoes and sweating. At least in the cold you can layer up, stay indoors, or wrap yourself in a blanket

On_cloud_wine · Answer

Move to tge sunshine state. It’s good for arthritis

Levin · Answer

Cold showers might help you feel more resilient against the cold. They helped me. Check out Wim Hof's stuff.

NordicInScandinavia · Answer

No, I thrive in cold weather. Absolutely love it.

strateguy632 · Answer

Not me, but i heard about joints, but only feeling cold is a normal reaction to cold, cold that is harmless if we wear a coat, like 40 degrees cold now, so your reaction is precisely allergy "abnormal reaction to otherwise harmless" cold.

D_Bone_Steak · Answer

I live in southern California now... I am allergic to this heat! It's fucking almost November and the temp hasn't dropped to at least 60-ish at all yet. I can't lift weights and run for an hour in this type of heat. The only thing this hot I'm supposed to feel is pussy.

Flowersareawsome22 · Answer

No I love the cold. I am allergic to hot weather I dislike super hot sweaty 🥵 yeah no thank you.

douride2 · Answer

I would sooner take the cold of winter then the heat & humidity of summer.

jennifer_bloom · Answer

Skin can itch in cold weather and that might be due to dehydration or vitamin b deficiencies. There are 8-10 types of vitamin b.

DrPepper12 · Answer

YES!! I've had students who would have visceral reactions to cold. It's real.

AviatorTom · Answer

The cold does make my nose run, apparently because the nasal passages constrict. I don't have the other issues though  Maybe you should move farther south. 😀

ProbablyClueless · Answer

I’m afraid that I do not do well in cold weather either! I have terrible circulation. No matter how much exercise I do, the reality is that I have small veins.

DryGermanGuy · Answer

Very much so. I'm a desert-son at heart. :-/

Lliam · Answer

I don't have allergies, especially to cold weather.

Wiredone · Answer

Im not allergic to the cold. My joints hurt all the time. That's what arthritis does to them. Im only allergic to stupid people. Luckily you're not one of them

stayorgo · Answer

I love the 🥶 cold weather you can relax more. O k granted , it can be a hassle at times . At least it's not summer you are sticky , hot , annoyed , uncomfortable THANK GOD FOR WINTER , I AM FROM UPSTATE NY , SO THE COLD last LONGER 😀

Ironco · Answer

At 54, it's called old age. It's still better than the alternative. Throw an extra jacket on or get a heating blanket. Or move to Florida. Suck it up buttercup...🤪

Xawyx-2 · Answer

No, it's actually easier for me to endure the cold, rather than too much Summer heat.

AngryCarl2 · Answer

I mean that's completely normal. So your doctor is correct.

queenofcardio · Answer

No, I am used to cold weather

MemeSupreme · Answer

i was BORN in the cold molded by it...

IwannaLickIt · Answer

Whenever I get too cold, I set myself on fire. Always makes me forget about being cold anymore.

soe11 · Answer

Yes.

Jamie05rhs · Answer

You're not wearing enough clothes.

Jeff51 · Answer

No im not.

Are you allergic to the cold?

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