ORORO

According to the Cleveland Clinic, Cold Urticaria is a rare condition that causes an allergic reaction to cold temperatures and direct skin-to-skin exposure to cold surfaces, objects or food, triggering a rash or hives.

The ORORO team spoke with Shauna recently about her rare allergy to coldness. Truthfully, the team had never heard of this condition before, but ORORO heated apparel has been helping Shauna with her condition by keeping her warm and away from cool air.

Living with Cold Urticaria

ORORO: When did you find out you had Cold Urticaria?   

Shauna C.: I started noticing my fingers swelling when I would hold my iced Starbucks or when making meatloaf. They would burn, itch and swell. I didn’t go to the doctor about it for a year because I didn’t think it was a big deal. In 2013, I was diagnosed by an allergist via an ice cube test at  38 years old.

O: Can you explain what it is exactly?
SC: Simply put, it’s an allergic reaction to cold temperatures. People can be allergic to really strange things: the sun, heat, your own sweat, exercise, vibration, pressure, the cold (like me)…and even water! It causes swelling, hives, itching, breathing problems and even anaphylaxis.

O: How does it affect your everyday life?
SC: As the years have gone by it has gotten progressively worse. It’s definitely a spectrum, so everyone’s reactions are different and the temperatures they can tolerate are different. For me, I cannot be outside in temperatures below about 70 degrees, and even that can be dicey depending on the conditions.

I cannot be in the snow, wind or rain. I can’t swim, or eat or drink any cold foods. With the exception of running to and from my car, I cannot be outside more than 15-20 seconds from mid October through March.

O: How many people are diagnosed with it?
SC: It is a very rare allergy only affecting about 0.05% of the population. It is listed on the website for the National Organization for Rare Disorders. Thankfully, I found a small support group on Facebook and have friends all over the world with my condition!

O: Do you live in a warm or cold environment?
SC: I live in the valley in Northern California. The summers are pretty brutal, but it’s the only time I can be outside. Winters are very mild compared to a lot of other places, but it’s still too chilly for me to enjoy the outdoors. 

How ORORO Can Help

O: When did you find out about ORORO? 

SC: My oldest daughter actually found ORORO while searching for heated clothing for me! She sent me the link and I immediately bought a jacket.

O: How has your ORORO jacket helped you manage your Cold urticaria?
SC: It is a safety net for me. I take it everywhere. It helps me transition to and from my car, keeps me warm in cold movie theaters or restaurants…the list is truly endless. On cooler days when I can be outside, this jacket enables me to be outside longer. I am very very grateful for it.

O: Anything else you'd like to add!
SC: Yes! Cold Urticaria is a very dangerous and scary condition. I have encountered many people over the years who think I’m joking or embellishing. I carry an epi pen and liquid Benadryl everywhere I go and I wear a medical bracelet. It’s very unpredictable and what you tolerated before can change on a dime.

Shauna originally reached out to us because she wanted to bring awareness to her condition and its rarity, as well as share how her ORORO heated jacket has helped her manage her allergy. Cold Urticaria is a very serious and uncommon condition that affects a very small portion of the population. Learn more about Cold Urticaria here.

We are grateful for Shauna's willingness to share her experience and raise awareness about Cold Urticaria. If you or someone you know could benefit from our heated apparel, we encourage you to explore our product range and learn more about how ORORO can help improve comfort and quality of life.

Products Mentioned: Women's Classic Heated Jacket