ColdU-Card
What is Cold Urticaria?
Cold urticaria is a form of urticaria (hives) in which exposure to cold, for example cold air, water, wind, or objects, can trigger a reaction, typical symptoms include redness, hives, itching, or swelling. In severe cases, dizziness, circulatory problems, or difficulty breathingmay occur, which can be life-threatening.
What to do in an emergency?
Move away from the cold and warm up the body gradually.
If you experience breathing difficulties, dizziness, or circulatory problems, call the emergencynumber immediately.
Use your personal emergency medication set as prescribed by your doctor.
What does the emergency set contain?
Depending on individual reactions, the emergency set may include:
- Antihistamine
- Corticosteroid
- Adrenaline auto-injector or adrenaline nasal spray
In an emergency, take or use the medication exactly as instructed by your treating physician.
If you have any questions about your emergency set, please contact your doctor or healthcare provider.
About the ColdU-Card
The ColdU-Card was developed by dermatologists and allergologists specifically for patients with cold urticaria.
As the condition is relatively rare and not widely known, the card is designed to provide safety and reassurance for patients and to inform healthcare professionals in case of an emergency.
We plan to launch the ColdU-Card internationally as a UCARE project once validation in Germany is complete. If you’re interested in collaborating, please reach out and let’s bring this card to every cold urticaria patients around the world.
Contact: sophia.neisinger@charite.de and hanna.bonnekoh@charite.de
