Chronic urticaria (CU) is one of the most common skin disorders worldwide. Among the inducible subgroup of CU, cold urticaria (ColdU) can affect both children and adults and is the only type associated with the risk of anaphylaxis without cofactors. In the scientific literature, data about cold anaphylaxis (ColdA) are poor, especially at pediatric age, and little is known about risk factors associated with the onset of systemic reactions and about the criteria for prescribing adrenaline auto-injectors (AAIs) in these patients. We describe the clinical characteristics and management of a case series of 21 patients with a history of ColdA, and we compare them with the pediatric case reports and case series published so far. On the basis of the scientific literature and of our case series of patients, we suggest that AAI should be prescribed to all high-risk patients: those with urticaria caused by cold-water immersion, oropharyngeal reactions, and with a previous history of systemic symptoms or anaphylaxis.
Keywords: anaphylaxis; chronic urticaria; cold urticaria; pediatrics.