Allergies

Allergies and cold weather

03/08/2002 09:48AM

Question:

I have been suffering from dizzinessfor five months now. the doctors tell me its allergies. I feel worse when it gets really cold out, but almost fine when it warms up. Could you please send me information of the reaseons for allergies to extremem cold. thank you so much.

Answer:

Upper and lower respiratory symptoms can be aggravated by cold weather. However, cold weather induced symptoms are typically not an `allergic` problem. Weather conditions such as changes in temperature, barometric pressure changes and extreme temperatures can cause symptoms that mimic allergy symptoms. This condition is called vasomotor rhinitis which is a form of non-allergic rhinitis.

Patients with this condition usually have negative allergy tests. You should see an allergist for further evaluation as this is a diagnosis by exclusion. In other words, you need a complete history, examination and allergy testing to determine exactly what is going on. Treatment is different for non-allergic rhinitis compared to allergic rhinitis (allergy symptoms).

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Response by:

Jonathan Bernstein, MD
Professor of Medicine
Division of Immunology and Allergy
Department of Internal Medicine
College of Medicine
University of Cincinnati