How a chilly day can lead to a case of hives
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Pam Pezzin of Freeport was walking in the woods on a winter day back around 1989 when she broke out in hives all over her body, including her stomach, arms, legs and face.
Over the years, she continued to break out in bumps when it was cold outside, and she suffered from symptoms of asthma, too.
She had a period of remission, but the reactions resumed about 10 years ago. "It got severe again," she said.
But none of the doctors could figure out exactly what was wrong with her until she saw allergy, asthma and immunology expert Deborah Gentile in 2009.
Dr. Gentile, director of research, Division of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology at Allegheny General Hospital, told Ms. Pezzin, now 40, she has cold-induced urticaria, urticaria being medical-speak for hives. Cells in her skin were releasing chemicals that cause itching, swelling and redness.
Even for people who don't have cold-induced urticaria, winter can be hard on the skin, says state-licensed clinical esthetician Jennifer Derry, who works in the Shadyside office of plastic surgeon Leo McCafferty.
Multiple layers of clothing and the heat from furnaces and hot showers and baths pull the moisture out of our skin and cause dehydration. "As a result," Ms. Derry said, "we see increasing cases of dry, itching or flaking skin."
Moisturizers help the problem, but some people may need a combination of lotions and treatments to combat winter-beaten skin.
"Humidifiers, fish oil, enzyme facials and hyaluronic acid serums are among the many options for patients," Ms. Derry said. "Hyaluronic acid is naturally found in the body, helping to moisturize from the inside out. By applying more HA to the skin, it helps to hold in more moisture."
Her allergic response to cold -- even autumn's cooler temperatures can prompt her to get hives -- is so severe that sometimes her lips swell, her airways constrict, and she has trouble breathing. "I've been to the emergency room on multiple occasions," said Ms. Pezzin, a social worker. "They did administer epinephrine and breathing treatments, always breathing treatments, because I'm virtually closing up."
First Published February 6, 2012 12:00 am
