Is it possible to be allergic to the cold?

[888terri]

I am just wondering if it is possible to be allergic to cold weather? Makes me sound like a wimp I know, but this is what is continuing to happen, hasn't always happened but I have noticed a big increase in the last five years or so. Sometimes if I get really cold, can be just getting up on a winter morning, I can start sneezing, runny nose, stuffy head etc and it will get worse, sometimes I get over it in 24 hours, sometimes when I get warm. Usually I can take something like Claritin and be ok after that. I am a small person, only 100lbs and 5'2" tall, have always been like that, weight rarely changes, 46yrs old, I think I feel the cold more because I am slim. Anybody ever heard of a cold allergy?

[CHANDLERS WISH]

I am just wondering if it is possible to be allergic to cold weather? Makes me sound like a wimp I know, but this is what is continuing to happen, hasn't always happened but I have noticed a big increase in the last five years or so. Sometimes if I get really cold, can be just getting up on a winter morning, I can start sneezing, runny nose, stuffy head etc and it will get worse, sometimes I get over it in 24 hours, sometimes when I get warm. Usually I can take something like Claritin and be ok after that. I am a small person, only 100lbs and 5'2" tall, have always been like that, weight rarely changes, 46yrs old, I think I feel the cold more because I am slim. Anybody ever heard of a cold allergy?

Well as an Australian to an Australian, our weather has changed dramatically... Winter also seems to have some spring and autumn in it and summer is confusing? lol... This has been happening as changes go for a few years now, almost Darwin weather? Sunny but rains?

I think pollen is still very much there, therefore, and you suffer from hayfever, i sneezed today? It's winter...

I am 44, and as far as feeling cold goes, i'm 63kilo's cant remember that in pounds, 5 7 and a half, so size 10, slim... I feel the cold...

I was thinking yesterday how many times i said "i'm cold" and the heater was on, to the gentleman i was seeing and he looked at me dumbfounded, mind you he's very broad. He was wearing a T-Shirt and i'm in the bedroom grabbing a dressing gown... lol..

Australia, got to love it though hey...

CW

[North_of_Border]

Yes it is possible to be "allergic" to cold although it is more often refered to as hypersensitivity to cold.

Your post sounds like it could have been written by me. I have the exact same problem although in my case Claritin does not work. I also get better in 24 hours when I get a bad case of it and to make the coincidence even more arre, were the same size too. LOL

I react to sudden temperature changes, air-conditioning, walking from outdoor to indoor in winter and my nose runs when I eat hot food at work or just because I'm cold. I can be miserable all day at work in an air-conditioned office but perfectly fine when I get home where there is no A/C.

I did a some research on the internet and found out about a condition called non-allergic rhinitis or Vasomotor rhinitis. It causes a runny nose, sneezing, and nasal congestion for the reasons I listed above and more. I also found information about hypersensitivity to cold but most people seem to get hives rather than runny nose.