#AllergyProblems #ColdUrticaria #ProveIt #AllergyAwareness
🤧 Don’t believe my allergies? Fine, I’ll prove it.
As a 13-year-old with cold urticaria, I can confidently say that having an allergy to the cold is not just a matter of discomfort. It’s a real and painful condition that affects my daily life, especially during the winter months. Let me share with you my experience of dealing with cold urticaria and the challenges that come with it.
Understanding Cold Urticaria
Cold urticaria is a rare form of physical urticaria, which is a skin reaction to physical stimuli. In my case, exposure to cold temperatures below 55 degrees Fahrenheit triggers an allergic reaction, causing my skin to break out in red, itchy hives that are extremely painful. It’s like having a bucket of boiling water dumped on my body, and the discomfort can last for hours.
My Encounter with “Z”
One particular incident that stands out was when I ran into one of the 4th-grade teachers at my school, who I’ll refer to as “Z” for privacy reasons. She is known as one of the strictest teachers at our school, and unfortunately, not very understanding when it comes to health issues. When I explained to her that I couldn’t wait outside due to my allergy, she dismissed it as a minor inconvenience and didn’t take it seriously.
Proving My Allergy
The next day, Z forced me and a friend outside during recess, despite my protests about my cold urticaria. In an effort to prove the severity of my allergy, I took matters into my own hands. I deliberately exposed my arm to the snow multiple times, leaving it out for the entire 20-minute recess. The pain was excruciating, but I was determined to show Z the reality of my condition.
The Shocking Revelation
When I showed Z the state of my arm after the recess, she was visibly shocked and horrified. It was a mix of shock, horror, and confusion – a priceless expression on her face. This moment of realization was a turning point, and she finally understood the severity of my cold urticaria. From that day forward, Z became more accommodating and offered to find a warmer place for me when needed.
Dealing with Cold Urticaria in Daily Life
Living with cold urticaria presents unique challenges, especially in a school environment where exposure to the cold is unavoidable. Here are some of the ways I manage my allergy on a daily basis:
– Communicating with teachers and staff about my allergy and the importance of avoiding exposure to cold temperatures.
– Carrying antihistamines like Benadryl to alleviate the symptoms when necessary.
– Seeking alternative accommodations when outdoor activities or events take place in cold weather.
Raising Awareness and Understanding
My experience with “Z” taught me the importance of raising awareness about cold urticaria and other lesser-known allergies. By sharing my story, I hope to educate others about the reality of living with a cold-induced allergy and foster understanding and empathy for those who struggle with similar conditions.
In Conclusion
Living with cold urticaria has its challenges, but I’m determined not to let it hold me back. By proving the severity of my allergy to those who doubted it, I’ve been able to advocate for myself and gain the understanding and support I need. It’s my hope that by sharing my story, others will have a better understanding of cold urticaria and the impact it can have on daily life.
If you or someone you know struggles with cold urticaria or other allergies, remember that you’re not alone. It’s important to advocate for yourself, educate others, and seek the support you need to manage your allergy effectively. Together, we can create a more inclusive and understanding environment for those with unique health conditions.
I also had an allergy to cold for years. It first became a real issue when in southern Utah with my family when I was, I guess about 8 years old. I had been swimming in a pool that was only solar heated so not warm at all. I came out of the water covered in hives from the clavicles down. From then on any time my legs were exposed to cold I would get hives especially on my knees.
I was very lucky as this allergy seems to have ended when I was pregnant with my oldest son. I still feel the cold when others are comfortable but at least I don’t have the reactions anymore.
I do remember reading about a man in Texas who was on a rafting trip and fell into the cold river. Everyone thought he had drowned but it was discovered that he died as the result of his allergic reaction to the very cold water. This is a very serious allergy which can kill a person.
I think she was scared that the school was going to get sued or at at least there will be a complaint and she will be held accountable. That may also explain her asking that how long before the symptoms disappear – she won’t want.your family seeing you in that condition.
You did good but I wish that you didn’t have to risk your health for it. Still very effective from the outcomes that you outlined.
TIL I might have cold urticaria…
I don’t know this is petty revenge, but I like this. It satisfies the internal petty self-righteousness. I feel inside I guess. Because I also have a really weird, random allergies. I’m just lucky I won’t die from them.
I think it’s really unfortunate that people like this have to be shown how wrong they are. To be shown how wrong they are other people have to be injured. Like, I think, it’s really sad when I hear stories about people, saying, they have celiac disease, which is not an allergy, and then people not believe in them, and then this person having to vomit or be hospitalized, right in front of them to prove it. This is no different than that. And I’m happy Not, she learned her lesson. Period and she probably was disciplined behind the scenes.
And I’m really happy you’re OK and your arm. I’m going to guess his working now. Because it really suck if you would have to have an amputated because of this lady. That would be a stretch too far.
But I also know people allergic to the hot and cold. It blew my mind when I first learned this was a thing. And I feel so bad for them.
I had the same allergy to cold when I was a kid. It was associated with an allergy to wasp stings, because it started after I was stung in 6 or 7 places at once and had a reaction, and went away when I had a successful course of allergy shots to cure the wasp sting allergy.
I worked at Walmart with a guy who had that!
In Wisconsin.
He was a door greeter sometimes.
He also sometimes had to have an ambulance called because he couldn’t get accommodations approved and was forced to work the door.
Isn’t it fun when people don’t take you seriously? (Walmart Workers Should Unionize)
I was not aware there was an actual allergy for it. I knew I really didn’t like cold weather. I grew up in the north and moved my way south in stages. I don’t like anything below mid 70’s.
Damn, I didn’t even know this was a thing. That sucks. I get there’s a lot of people out there who fake allergies for various not nice reasons but as soon as you dropped the conditions name I would have been like damn and asked if you wouldn’t mind explaining it to me because I’m a curious silly goose.
I have this problem. I have aquagenic urticaria (water allergy) and whenever I tell people they always say ‘that’s not possible, ur lying’ and I always say ‘ok, I’ll prove it’ and I put a drop of water on my arm and the looks on their faces in priceless. It hurts like hell but I worth the reactions.
Glad you’re making a change in people!
One of my colleagues has this condition. I said to her “so, basically you’re allergic to Scotland” and she agreed that it was pretty funny to be allergic to her country. My daughter has polymorphic light eruption, which only really appears in late spring. Because Scotland.
A good friend of mine has something like this, but he’s allergic to cold water, he’d break out in under the skin hives and his skin would turn a very angry red and we live in the Midwest. He had to wear gloves in the summer just to drink cold water (now he just used those insulated tumblers). He barely leaves his house in the winter. And I thought my allergies were tough.
I live in the tropics so I don’t get it as much. I found out I had it during a particularly cold day, 15 or 16 Celsius. First time I had it I thought I had atypical Covid. Several people were sent home for Covid and I thought I was infected but not showing respiratory symptoms.
The second time I had this was at home. It was one of those rare cold days and I developed hives and really itchy skin. Good thing I remembered a family member was diagnosed with cold urticaria previously so I connected the dots and diagnosed myself with genetic cold urticaria.
Hiding under the covers and walking with a comforter were godsends!
I’ve never been to Scandinavian countries or the Arctic, and I’m likely to cross them out of my travel bucket list if not for the Aurora. I can’t stand the cold.. 🥶🥶 🥶
I don’t know if she actually cared, but she knew that she messed up and that she was responsible for your medical issue and that are your parents could have sued. That she blatantly ignored the medical information you gave her and she didn’t seek to see if it was true before putting you in medical danger.
That is why she kissed your ass so hard after
I had this last year. I’m a woman in my thirties, living in eastern Canada, so it does get pretty cold. It showed up after a round of antibiotics for something I had caught (don’t remember what it was). Every part of skin that would get cold would be covered in hives. Like red and swollen. Like my thighs and legs even if covered by pants.
I had to dress up so that no inch of skin was visible. And more layers. It was a weird thing. It was gone within a month or two…
I’m feeling you for living with that full time ❤️
She’s being nice because if you reported her for making you go outside and not believing you, she would be fired. She has to follow your medical plan, which I’m sure will have in it you can not be outside in cold weather.
She fucked up big time and nows she’s making sure you won’t report it. Personally I would just so she doesn’t do this kind of thing to other students.
I’ve got cold urticaria too! Solidarity friend and excellent revenge 😈
A teacher can offer you her personal meds?
That’s wasn’t allowed when I was in school.
This is something adults should have been let in on. (Z’s behavior) she has a duty to protect children, not cause harm. You never know, the district might thank you. Cheers
I had cold allergy for years. Also started at a pool where I felt cold but didn’t exit it and came out covered in hives, similar to what someone described. It was in a school trip where we went for a week. Luckily the nurse who was with us recognised it and immediately got me under a hot shower that made it much better. I ended up having hives for years whenever I was cold. Even on my cheeks when I was outside. Luckily, it went away when I started to have my period as this condition often goes. But I still have a fear it will return and taking my body’s cold cues seriously, especially when I’m in a pool.
I fucking hate “teachers” like that. All they do is make the job harder for real teachers that actually give a shit.
I have this too! Not quite as bad as it seems you do, but even if I’m totally bundled up with no exposure, my hips, back, and the tops of my legs turn bright red and itchy after being out in the cold. And the aftermath can last for days and feels like a mild sunburn. I joked before that I was allergic to cold until I realized I actually *was* allergic to cold.
Nicely done, OP