Super-cold air, wind, or water can make you sick. It’s called cold stress. It can affect you in different ways, depending on climate conditions, how you’re dressed, medical conditions you might have, and how long you’re out in it.
Chilblains: Chilblains, or pernio as it is also called, happens when the small blood vessels in your skin get inflamed after being exposed to cold — but not freezing — temperatures. These clusters of small blood vessels (capillary beds) get red and itchy, or they swell. Patches usually appear on your fingers, toes, ears, and cheeks. Blisters can pop up, too.
Chilblains can catch you off guard because it doesn’t have to be freezing outside for you to get them. They can show up if your skin is exposed over time to temps as high as 60 F. In severe cases, ulcers can form. They usually clear up in 1 to 3 weeks — especially if temperatures warm up. But the redness and itching may return with the next cold snap.
Cold Urticaria: Young adults are most likely to have this condition. It happens when the skin reacts to cold and breaks out in welts. The areas are reddish and itchy, like hives. Your hands may get puffy while holding a cold drink. Or, your throat and lips might swell when you eat or drink something frosty.
