A 2024 report from the World Allergy Organization warns that climate change is exacerbating cold urticaria, with cases rising in regions experiencing extreme weather fluctuations. As winters become harsher in some areas and unpredictable in others, more individuals are reporting severe reactions to sudden drops in temperature.
The report highlights data from Scandinavia, where hospital admissions for cold-induced anaphylaxis have doubled in the past decade. Similarly, in parts of the U.S. and Canada, emergency rooms are seeing increased cases during unseasonal cold snaps. Paradoxically, even warmer regions are affected—people in tropical climates who travel to colder areas or use air conditioning excessively are developing cold allergies at higher rates.
Researchers attribute this trend to two factors:
Increased Allergen Sensitivity: Rising global temperatures and pollution are priming immune systems to overreact to various triggers, including cold.
Behavioral Shifts: More people are engaging in winter sports or cold-water swimming (e.g., ice baths for recovery), unknowingly triggering latent allergies.
To combat this, allergists are advocating for better public awareness. Simple measures like layering clothing, avoiding sudden temperature changes, and carrying epinephrine auto-injectors can prevent life-threatening reactions. Governments are also urged to include cold allergy in climate health advisories, particularly for vulnerable populations like children and the elderly.
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