Cold Spots

New quantitative techniques to measure temperature and time thresholds in patients with acquired cold urticaria affirm the value of standard current treatment.

A clinical diagnosis of acquired cold urticaria can be confirmed by the “ice cube test.” A plastic bag containing ice (or a bare ice cube) is held against the skin of the volar forearm for 5 minutes, and the contact site evaluated 10 minutes later. Patients with cold urticaria develop a wheal at the site. Can qualitative provocation tests be used to gauge severity and response to therapy?

Nineteen adults with cold urticaria were tested for the urticating threshold using ice packs and a Peltier effect–based electronic device that allowed control of temperature. The critical temperature threshold (CTT) was defined as the highest temperature that elicited a wheal. The cold stimulation time threshold (CSTT) was the shortest time to develop a whe…

Reviewing Author

Mark V. Dahl, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory board Ulthera, Inc.; AuBio LifeSciences, LLC; Paris Therapeutics

Equity Elorac, Inc.; Makucell, Inc.; Paris Therapeutics

Editorial boards UpToDate

Leadership positions in professional societiesNational Rosacea Society (Chairman, Medical Board)