There are several types of Cold Allergies, even more including subtypes.
The different types are acquired, hereditary and idiopathic forms. Within these you can have acute and chronic cases which define the length of time someone suffers from the condition. Then you can have primary and secondary diagnoses which define whether the condition is a distinct condition unrelated to another condition or it is a direct result of another condition.
Acquired conditions are usually developed following:
- Bacterial & Viral infections,
- Hymenoptera insect bites,
- Blood transfusions received from someone with a cold allergy
- Parasites
Idiopathic (Though the cause is unknown Idiopathic is considered acquired.)
Rare Diseases
Physical Urticaria
Allergy and the Skin
| Type | Primary / Secondary | Ice Test | Acquired / Familial / Idiopathic | Commonality | Characterized by |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cold Contact Urticaria | Primary Cold Contact Urticaria | Positive | Acquired | Most Common | Hives and occurs in rainy, windy weather, and after contact with cold objects. |
| Cold Agglutinins | Secondary Cold Contact Urticaria | General Cooling 82-88 Degrees Farenheit 28 - 31 Degrees Celcius | Acquired / Idiopathic | Rare | Hives due to hemolysis |
| Cryoglobulinemia | Secondary Cold Contact Urticaria | General Cooling | Acquired / Idiopathic | Rare | Hives due to serum abnormalities |
| Cryofibrinogenemia | Secondary Cold Contact Urticaria | General Cooling | Acquired / Idiopathic | Rare | Hives due to serum abnormalities |
| Familial Cold Autoinflammatory Urticaria (FCAS) | Primary | Familial autosomal dominant | Rare | Rash, conjunctivitis, fever/chills and arthralgia | |
| Muckle Wells Syndrome | Secondary | General Cooling | Acquired / Familial | Extremely Rare | sensory deafness, inflammation such as fever, arthritis, and malaise |
| Neonatal-onset Multi System Inflammatory Diseases (NOMID) | Primary | General Cooling | Familial | Extremely Rare | skin rashes, severe arthritis, and chronic meningitis leading to neurologic damage |
| Reflex Cold Urticaria Localized Generalized | Primary | Positive, but not at site of application, usually on extremities | Idiopathic | Extremely Rare | hives and occurs in rainy, windy weather and after contact with cold objects |
| Idiopathic Urticaria | Primary / Secondary | Acquired | Idiopathic | Second most Common | hives and occurs in rainy, windy weather and after contact with cold objects |
| Cold Dependent Dermatographism | Secondary | General Cooling | Familial / Idiopathic | Rare | Hives on stroking of the skin (Skin Writing) |
| Systemic Cold Urticaria | Primary | Negative | Rare | Full body hives on contact with cold and in rainy, windy weather and immersion | |
| Cold Induced Urticaria | Secondary | Negative | Familial | Common | hives and occurs inr ainy, windy weather and after contact with cold objects |
| Cold Induced Angioedema | Primary and Secondary | Positive | Edema in the cell tissues, last longer > 24 hours <72 hours | ||
| PLAID | Primary | Positive | Familial | Rare | hives and occurs inr ainy, windy weather and after contact with cold objects |
| Mast Cell Activation Syndrome | Primary | Familial / Idiopathic | Rare |