To Your Health

A. It is possible to be allergic to the cold. The same histamines that are released by cedar pollen or any other substance that you are allergic to can be released by exposure to cold temperature. People can develop allergies to a wide variety of things, including pollen, dust, animal dander, foods, and viruses. Some individuals have an allergic response to being cold.

This allergic response can be anything from rashes to wheezing, and even includes fatigue. If the response involves hives, it is called cold-induced urticaria. For people with cold-induced urticaria, swimming in very cold water is quite dangerous, so you should not participate in "polar bear club" activities. Cold sensitivity is usually heightened by infection, so be especially careful about cold-temperature exposure if you have a cold.

Another adverse response to cold is the formation of abnormal proteins in the blood called agglutinins. Cold agglutinins can slow the blood flow by stopping up the blood vessels. Normally, most people have low levels of cold agglutinins, but high levels can lead to anemia if red blood cells are destroyed faster than bone marrow can replace them.

The conventional medical approaches to allergy relief may have side effects that are as bad as the problem, and natural remedies are available. Supplements of vitamin C and pantothenic acid are often helpful in relieving allergy symptoms. Vitamin E and fish-oil supplements tend to prevent the agglutination of blood. Some people have found that supplements of magnesium with the amino acid taurine taken during the winter season increase their tolerance to cold.

In addition to these supplements, avoid smoking, which will constrict the blood vessels and lead to vascular spasms that further hinder circulation. And although alcohol may seem to make you warm, it actually lowers your body temperature and should be avoided. Drinks containing caffeine also tend to constrict blood vessels.

Drink plenty of water. You may think you don't need to drink as much water in cold weather as you do in warm weather because you don't sweat as much. But cold air has low humidity and can dry out your body, making it hard to keep up blood volume. The lower blood volume contributes to poorer circulation.

U.S. Army researchers in Alaska found that your hands can be trained to stay warm in cold temperatures. You soak your hands in warm water for three to five minutes in a room where the temperature is comfortable. Next, you go into a cold room and soak your hands in warm water once again, this time for 10 minutes. The move to the cold temperature would ordinarily cause your arteries in your hand to constrict, but the warm water keeps them open. After a month or so they will remain open even without warm water.

It is best to simply avoid getting chilled, but since that may not always be possible, be prepared by finding some remedies that work for you.