May 18 2008
Not So Cool
“Ice Is Nice”
Remember Val Kilmer’s line in the movie “Real Genius”? That used to be my motto. Not anymore.
I’m allergic to ice. Weird, I know, but true.
My doctors call the condition cold urticaria and say it may possibly be somehow related to fibromyalgia. If you place an ice cube on my arm, I get hives. If I drink frozen drinks, my mouth starts itching. If I hold freezer packs or cold vegetables, my hands begin to swell, redden and itch uncontrollably. I was diagnosed after injuring my ankle and icing the injury. Instead of decreased swelling, I had an increase in pain, and my ankle reddened and grew 3 times its size!
I’ve been told that I could die from jumping in too cold of a swimming pool. I only use heated pools, now. I never drink slushy drinks or eat popsicles, and I really limit my ice cream exposure.
I’m drawing attention to this because it’s hot outside. It’s really hot and I WANT ICE!
Unfortunately my teen stepdaughter finds this “allergy” fun and reminds me anytime she sees me trying to add it to a drink. So, I’ve had to find a new way to stay cool this summer! My neighbor just recently introduced me to Metromint, an insanely cool drink that does the trick. My favorite flavor so far is Chocolatemint, with a chill factor of 2. Any other ideas, other than air conditioning and movie theaters?
4 Responses to “Not So Cool”
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That is HORRIBLE!!! I love ice!! I don’t think I would be able to deal with that!! Don’t they have some medicine or a shot that might lesson the symptoms?? I hope it goes away!! Love ya!!
If I want to live from allergy medicine to allergy medicine, I could take something until it didn’t work anymore. But really it’s better to just avoid the issue (extreme cold) entirely. We like to ski and so that can also present problems if I’m feeling well enough to go. My Epi-pen is my friend (I don’t leave home without it). My biggest issue is really ice, because I love it too, always have.
Shakes and cold soda just aren’t the same without it!
I lived in Florida without AC for eight years. (NOT recommended, btw…)
One thing that helped me stay cool during the worst of summer was keeping a washcloth and a cool bowl of water nearby. Wnen I’d sponge a bit of water on my forehead, the back of my neck and my wrists and ankles, it would evaporate and leave me a tiny bit cooler.
I just got diagnosed with Cold Urticaria last year. I was 19, and it first started happening when I worked in an ice cream shop. I was always in a walk in fridge, stocking it and and retrieving ice cream. I would notice that I would get hives all over my feet, knees, elbows, hands, and neck. At first I thought I was allergic to my laundry detergent, but I switched and I was still getting it. I started taking Benadryl, even thought it put me to sleep right away, but it worked. One day, I had to walk to work in the rain, and it was only a 15 minute walk, but by the time I got there, I was COVERED in hives. I finally went to the doctor and he diagnosed me with Cold Urticaria. At first I thought he was joking. But it’s very real. I really sucks because I live in a part of Canada that has -40*C winters, and I cannot go outside at all. I wouldn’t wish this on anyone.