[Cold urticaria: review of 12 cases].
BACKGROUND
Cold urticaria is caused after exposition to cold air, water and food. It is the third more frequent physical urticaria in pediatric population.


RESULTS
We reviewed twelve patients, studied different characteristics and obtained following results: mean age is 12 years and 9 months and it is more frequent in female subjects, atopy is present in 67 % of patients, other physical urticaria are present in 25 % and there is not familial inheritance. 83 % of patients have localized and generalized symptoms. Cold stimulation test is positive in 92 %. Cryoglobulins and cold agglutinins are negative in 100 % of patients in which these tests were made. There is infectious disease in only two patients. Cetirizine was used in most of patients and it was successful in 70 %. Mean duration is 3 years and 6 months. Only patient with negative cold stimulation test remains without symptoms.


CONCLUSIONS
Cold urticaria must be initially diagnosed by cold stimulation test and clinical history. Cetirizine is effective and cause less adverse effects than other antihistamines traditionally used.
Santaolalla Montoya
M
M
Servicio de Alergia Infantil. Hospital Gregorio Marañón. Madrid. España. marcelasm@terra.es
Martínez Molero
María I
MI
Santaolalla San Juana
F
F
Baeza
María L
ML
Alonso Lebrero
E
E
Zapatero Remón
L
L
D017332:Cetirizine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D003080:Cold Temperature / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003450:Cryoglobulins / Q000032:analysis; D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000150:complications; D020031:Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D039563:Histamine H1 Antagonists, Non-Sedating / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D010787:Photosensitivity Disorders / Q000150:complications; D010812:Physical Stimulation / Q000009:adverse effects; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014581:Urticaria / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology
D003450:Cryoglobulins; D039563:Histamine H1 Antagonists, Non-Sedating; D017332:Cetirizine