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Hypersensitivity to cold? Posted: Oct 18, 2005 QUESTION: I am an Infection Control nurse working at a VA with a small caseload of HIV patients. One of my patients came to me about a condition he has developed over a period of time in which when exposed to cold temperatures he develops hives that last approx. 30 minutes and his skin is hypersensitive - pinprick feeling, tingling. It involves his whole body. He also states he has this when he drinks cold liquids in which his mouth has numbness, tingling sensation. Also if he handles ice cubes in his hands, he develops hive like appearance with prickling sensation. Have you heard of this being related to an HIV condition?


RESPONSE FROM: There is an HIV-associated condition called mixed cryoglobulinemia. This may present with cold induced hives and vasculitis. There is also a strong association of cryoglobulinemia with hepatitis C infection as well. Based on the history that you have described, my first impulse would be to do the work-up for this condition, and if this was negative, then look for other causes of hives. I hope that this information is helpful; let us know how things go.

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