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Tests and diagnosis
By Mayo Clinic staffCold urticaria can be diagnosed by placing an ice cube on exposed skin for several minutes. If you have cold urticaria, a raised, red bump (hive) will form after the ice cube is removed.
Most cases of urticaria occur in children and young adults and don't have an apparent underlying cause. This type of urticaria usually gets better on its own after a few weeks to months, but sometimes it can last for years.
In some cases, cold urticaria is caused by an underlying condition that affects the immune system. Some conditions that can cause cold urticaria include hepatitis, rheumatoid arthritis, certain cancers or an infection such as mononucleosis. If your doctor suspects you have an underlying condition, you may need blood tests or other tests.
- Habif TP. Urticaria and angioedema. In: Habif TP. Clinical Dermatology: A Color Guide to Diagnosis and Therapy. 5th ed. Edinburgh, U.K.; New York, N.Y.: Mosby Elsevier; 2010. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/page.do?eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-7234-3541-9..00015-8&isbn=978-0-7234-3541-9&sid=1198617057&uniqId=277214028-7#4-u1.0-B978-0-7234-3541-9..00015-8. Accessed Aug. 28, 2011.
- Kaplan AP. Urticaria and angioedema. In: Adkinson NF, et al. Middleton's Allergy: Principles and Practice. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/page.do?eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05659-5..00061-9--cesec4&isbn=978-0-323-05659-5&sid=1198615031&uniqId=277214028-5#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05659-5..00061-9--cesec5. Accessed Aug. 30, 2011.
- Atkins D, et al. Urticaria (hives) and angioedema. In: Kliegman RM, et al. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 19th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2011. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/page.do?eid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4377-0755-7..00142-1--s0015&isbn=978-1-4377-0755-7&sid=1198760422&uniqId=277214028-10#4-u1.0-B978-1-4377-0755-7..00142-1--s0015. Accessed Aug. 29, 2011.
- Nichols KM, et al. Allergic skin disease: Major highlights and recent advances. Medical Clinics of North America. 2009;93:1211.
- Fromer L. Treatment options for the relief of chronic idiopathic urticaria symptoms. Southern Medical Journal. 2008;101:186.
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