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Diagnosed Cold Allergies, Taking Antihistamine But Feel To Have Allergic Reaction. Suggest?
Question: hi
how are cold allergies? diagnosed. I read on the net that there are a few different kinds of cold allergies. how can I find out that I have one? I have a feeling that I do. right now i'm taking antihistamine but I've a feeling that I would have had an allergic reaction to the cold weather the other day if I wasn't on Claritin and zantac. i'm asking this cause I tend to get a lot of colds.
how are cold allergies? diagnosed. I read on the net that there are a few different kinds of cold allergies. how can I find out that I have one? I have a feeling that I do. right now i'm taking antihistamine but I've a feeling that I would have had an allergic reaction to the cold weather the other day if I wasn't on Claritin and zantac. i'm asking this cause I tend to get a lot of colds.
Brief Answer:
Thyroid function and IgE levels need to be checked
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome to Healthcare Magic and thank you for writing to us.
You have a mix of medical problems that if not regularly followed up can make you susceptible to 'colds'.
1. Thyroid - TSH fT4 levels should be normal as untreated hypothyroidism makes you feel tired, lethargic and develop a constant runny nose, as if you get a cold often.
2. Nail psoriasis - if you are taking methotrexate (folitrex) or immunosuppressive agents, then you will pick up viral infections easily.
3. I am not certain what the cause of the levated creatinine is, or whether it is linked to your heart failure. At age 30 having heart failure is quite unusual unless it is a familial cardiomyopathy you have.
In these conditions, you tend to lose proteins and those that help your immune system suchh as immunoglobulins are lost, making you susceptible to colds.
You may have allergy to dust mites, cockroach, weed pollens that can cause perennial (all year round) allergies, and will need long-acting antihistamines with nasal sprays.
Specific IgE to dust mites, cockroach and total IgE level will help to know if you are atopic or rone to allergies.
I hope that was useful.
Best Wishes.
Thyroid function and IgE levels need to be checked
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome to Healthcare Magic and thank you for writing to us.
You have a mix of medical problems that if not regularly followed up can make you susceptible to 'colds'.
1. Thyroid - TSH fT4 levels should be normal as untreated hypothyroidism makes you feel tired, lethargic and develop a constant runny nose, as if you get a cold often.
2. Nail psoriasis - if you are taking methotrexate (folitrex) or immunosuppressive agents, then you will pick up viral infections easily.
3. I am not certain what the cause of the levated creatinine is, or whether it is linked to your heart failure. At age 30 having heart failure is quite unusual unless it is a familial cardiomyopathy you have.
In these conditions, you tend to lose proteins and those that help your immune system suchh as immunoglobulins are lost, making you susceptible to colds.
You may have allergy to dust mites, cockroach, weed pollens that can cause perennial (all year round) allergies, and will need long-acting antihistamines with nasal sprays.
Specific IgE to dust mites, cockroach and total IgE level will help to know if you are atopic or rone to allergies.
I hope that was useful.
Best Wishes.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
my thyroid function is fine at the moment my family doctor checks it every 6-12 months. its been two and half years that my thyroid has been stable and that's why my family doctor thinks that i'll probably will have no more additional issues with my thyroid in the future but he doesn't guarantee and checks my blood for it every 6-12 months. as for my nail psoriasis i'm not taking any medications for it but I rub Vaseline on it. I've had an allergy test before and the allergist couldn't find anything but he didn't test me for cold allergy. i'm going to see him soon for cold allergy testing but I have to get off the antihistamine first cause I shouldn't take it for upto 7 days prior the test and i'm not ready to get off the antihistamine now but i'll be in a near future. and as far as my heart failure, it was leg thrombosis (my lower legs were swollen after the subacute thyroiditis that I had 3-2.5 years ago which lasted about 4 months.
Brief Answer:
Ice cube test required
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for the responses to my earlier queries.
If waht you are getting is itchy skin when exposed to cold, also referred to as cold urticaria, then you need the ice cude test on the forearm and documentation of weal/flare responses.
Cold can cause Raynaud's phenomenon, which is nail discoloration or tips of fingers and toes when exposed to very cold temperatures (does not have to be very cold!) and pain at the tips of digits.
If you get mottling of feet as ell as Raynaud's, then you need to check whether there is evidence of cryoglobulins. Discuss with your physician the availability of this test.
At the same time, get a complete blood count, XXXXXXX test, Plasma viscosoty to complete the workup.
Yes, you need to be off natihistamines for the ice cube test to work.
Best Wishes.
Ice cube test required
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for the responses to my earlier queries.
If waht you are getting is itchy skin when exposed to cold, also referred to as cold urticaria, then you need the ice cude test on the forearm and documentation of weal/flare responses.
Cold can cause Raynaud's phenomenon, which is nail discoloration or tips of fingers and toes when exposed to very cold temperatures (does not have to be very cold!) and pain at the tips of digits.
If you get mottling of feet as ell as Raynaud's, then you need to check whether there is evidence of cryoglobulins. Discuss with your physician the availability of this test.
At the same time, get a complete blood count, XXXXXXX test, Plasma viscosoty to complete the workup.
Yes, you need to be off natihistamines for the ice cube test to work.
Best Wishes.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
s it possible to be allergic to heat aswell? I have a feeling that I'm allergic to both heat and cold. how can I find this out? I was working on my computer earlier and my skin started to itch. the only thing that crossed my mind was the fan heater in my bedroom which is next to my computer room. I've been turning it on a lot during the past 2 or 3 days. so I turned it off and i'm feeling better. is it possible to be allergic to both heat and cold?
Brief Answer:
Yes, with sudden increasein skin temperature
Detailed Answer:
Sudden change in surface skin temperature can lead to urticaria (itchy skin), and direct prolonged use of fan heater on skin will dry the skin, leading to itching.
If you start scratching then it will scale and bleed.
Apply lots of moisturising cream (aloe vera based ones) which will soothe the skin.
Use the antihistamine tablets as well.
Best Wishes.
Yes, with sudden increasein skin temperature
Detailed Answer:
Sudden change in surface skin temperature can lead to urticaria (itchy skin), and direct prolonged use of fan heater on skin will dry the skin, leading to itching.
If you start scratching then it will scale and bleed.
Apply lots of moisturising cream (aloe vera based ones) which will soothe the skin.
Use the antihistamine tablets as well.
Best Wishes.
Note: For further information on diet changes to reduce allergy symptoms or to boost your immunity, Ask here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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