Arianna Kent is a 21-year-old Canadian who suffers from cold urticaria! At any time, she can experience anaphylactic shock when temperatures drop.
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This young woman was hospitalised three times every month, following the appearance of serious symptoms. In Edmonton, Arianna's home town, temperatures can reach -40 ° C. The Canadian is then obliged to stay in a confined area or to cover herself with several layers of clothing. Indeed, just walking to her car, is dangerous...
Anticipating daily tasks
Arianna must therefore pay attention to her daily actions, even in the summer. Indeed, opening a refrigerator, holding an ice-cold glass or eating ice cream can cost her her life. 'It causes burns and itching on the skin. It's like asthma in my throat. You inhale harder and you can not breathe. It's like something is sitting on your chest, making it narrower and heavier. (...) It's terrifying to know that if I'm in an area without access to medical care and my throat is closed, I could run a serious risk,' she told the Daily Mail.
A very rare disease!
According to The National Organization for Rare Disorders, this type of disease accounts for about 1 to 3% of cases of urticaria. One in five people is affected in their lifetime! Arianna explains: 'It's such a strange and rare allergy, people think it's a joke (...) People often do not believe me or do not know it's a real allergy. They say, 'Yes, Arianna, we know you're always cold but that does not mean you're allergic to it.' Presently, Arianna Kent has reduced her hospitalisations to once a month. She changed her diet by reducing her consumption of foods containing histamine, a chemical that stimulates the body's immune system.
