Cold induced urticaria and fibro

[Tilly1957]

Morning,

I managed to go in the garden yesterday, hung a little washing out, then managed to start to prune a shrub. It was difficult, pain always there, but I can’t give in to the fibro and do nothing!

It was brilliant sunshine, but a cold NE wind . I was only outside for about 15 mins, max.

I was surprised at what happened with the exposed part of my hands/arms/face. Looks like a case of severe sunburn (obviously not). Took about 40 mins to go, with a funny tingling itchiness. Felt like when your hands go numb after playing with snow as a kid without gloves on.

the description of cold urticaria from the net is a perfect match. I have had it on my face before but thought nothing if it. My whole hand was like it, not just the arm.

Anyone else with fibro who experiences this?

[Dizzytwo Moderator]

Hi, yes I get it too. Especialy when in among the bushes and plants. Some of those shrubs can realy itch.

I use E45 cream after washing in cold water to cool the arms and legs.

[Tilly1957 in reply to Dizzytwo]

thank you. It made my hands even more difficult to use. I know it wasn’t irritation from the bush this time. I have an awful reaction to privet, so I avoid cutting that now, this time was a leggy buddleja bush, mostly leafless x

[Yassytina FMA UK Volunteer]

Hello, like Dizzy yes quite often once I do venture out in the garden, so always good to have something in the medical cabinet and E45 always in the house for sure. It is cold so well done for doing alittle and getting some fresh cold air. Not ventured out yet but even 15mins now and them will be lovely , can’t wait. They are saying March to be very cold. I do think with Fibro we are extra sensitive sometimes dosent take a lot to set my skin off if I catch myself on something either . My husband is not a fan of the Roses because he is not a gardener, but boy does he curse when he catches himself on them x

[Gigiruth]

Hi Tilly1957

I sometimes have that with extremes of temperature. If I get something out of the freezer or hot water. It is worse outside if it is windy as well as cold. When I have a shower it is worse if I use a towel and rub my skin dry. If I just wrap in a towel and lie/sit still I don't get the rash.

I guess we are just more sensitive

I use the oven gloves for the freezer

Roll on Spring yes!

Take care

Gigi

[Tilly1957]

thank you to everyone for sharing. It doesn’t feel so random now x

[Juliauk10]

I looked for images of cold Uticaria but they all looked blotchy where yours looks different so maybe it’s not 🙏

[EarthSitter1]

I get it too, hate going out in the cold as I come out in hives on my face. Our bodies are so strange

[1whitestar]

I have had this and I can feel it coming on the last time it was in my hand and it swelled up numb tingle the pain was horrendous honestly I rang the doctors as I was crying in so much pain took a week to go down.

[Tilly1957]

Yes, my fingers swelled - my whole hand was crimson - I got tingling as started to go, but luckily not too painful. But I have never seen it like this on my hands and arms! X

[Hoofprints]

Are you sure you do not have lupus? Typical red rash on face sounds like the one you describe? Might be worth asking for blood tests to rule out this and any other autoimmune conditions - even if they have been done in the past, things might be different now.

I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia for years until a blood test run by rheumatology showed I was highly positive for the anti-C1q antibody. I was then diagnosed with urticarial vasculitis syndrome.

Not saying you have these conditions, but always worth having them completely ruled out the picture since these are conditions that are treatable with drugs.

Good luck 🍀

[Tilly1957 in reply to Hoofprints]

thank you. If it keeps happening I will speak to gp. Lupus has been ruled out several times, before fibro