- With Mayo Clinic asthma and allergy specialist
James T. Li, M.D.
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James T. Li, M.D.
James T. Li, M.D.
"People with allergy or asthma can lead full and healthy lives." — Dr. James Li
Dr. Li is chair of the Division of Allergic Diseases in the Department of Internal Medicine and a board-certified asthma and allergy specialist. He hopes his expertise and the information on the site educates health care consumers in an area of rapid change both in medications and diagnoses.
"There are a lot of misperceptions about allergy and asthma," says Dr. Li, a New York City native who has been with Mayo since 1985 and works with a group of subspecialists in allergy, asthma and immunology. "I believe it's important to provide truthful, accurate information about allergy and asthma to the public. The more people know, the better they can take care of these conditions."
Dr. Li is a professor of medicine at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine. He is a past director of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology and is a director of the American Board of Allergy and Immunology. He is a fellow in the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology and is a director of the American Board of Internal Medicine.
The American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology honored him with the Distinguished Service Award and the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology with its Special Recognition Award.
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Question
Allergy to cold weather: Is this possible?
Is there such a thing as an allergy to cold weather? When exposed to cold temperatures, the skin on my face, neck and hands gets red and itchy.
Answer
from James T. Li, M.D.
As strange as it sounds, it is possible to have an allergy to cold temperatures. Doctors refer to this as cold hives (urticaria).
In some people, skin exposure to cold temperatures triggers the release of histamine and other chemicals into the skin. This results in skin redness, itching, swelling and hives. Although symptoms may begin during the cold exposure, they're often worse during rewarming of the exposed skin.
The cause of cold urticaria isn't clear. But certain people appear to have overly sensitive histamine-containing skin cells.
As much as possible, people with cold urticaria should avoid exposure to cold air as well as cold water. For example, swimming in cold water is the most common cause of a severe, whole-body reaction — leading to fainting, shock and even death.
If you think you have cold urticaria, consult your doctor. Treatment may include antihistamines taken before cold exposure. Cyproheptadine (Periactin) may be especially useful for treatment of cold urticaria. Rarely, cold urticaria is associated with an inherited condition called familial cold autoinflammatory syndrome.
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