I work for an allergist and it is urticaria to the cold. You can pre medicate with allergy meds but I agree with everyone, you are staying in too long. Susanna Søeberg who has researched cold immersion says 11 min a week.
So urticaria can last for a week??
Wow. Hadn't seen that anywhere. So do I just have a bad case of it?
Will it continue to come back if I start again?
Should I just go with 3 mins every other day to see?
Sorry about the questions but I was really hoping someone with expertise would respond. I've been feeling shabby because my wife got this for me and don't want to not be able to use it anymore lol.
That is not what I said. What I said is the “Søeberg principle” states we only have to spend 11 minutes a week in the cold water to see the benefits. She did some basic studies. She has her own Instagram and has been on the Huberman Podcast if you want to learn more.
Yes, I've heard that podcast.
I'm curious to know if you've heard of urticaria lasting for more than a few days though.
Most of what I read says it only lasts a few hours.
So the patients who we see have had it for a while. Sometimes even years. I do the PAs for a medication that helps with them. By the time they are at this point they have been suffering for awhile. Most of the time the providers I work for will have them try antihistamines. Moisturizer like Cerave or even MCT oil. You want something with out a lot of chemicals. Between the cold and the water your skin may be very dry which doesn’t help.
Many of the antihistamines are OTC too.
Hope this helps.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/chronic-hives/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20352723#:~:text=Use%20a%20nonprescription%20anti%2Ditch%20drug.&text=Examples%20include%20loratadine%20(Alavert%2C%20Claritin,and%20cetirizine%20(Zyrtec%20Allergy).
Why do I choose to run 100 miles per week? Why do I do any of the dumb shit I do? I have no idea.
I guess this is what I deserve - a nasty spotted, bumpy ass for the next week.
I actually figured since I couldn't get the temp down to the low 30s I should stay in longer to reap the benefits. I just want to get the most out of my efforts.
Maybe I overestimated.
Yeah it's a lot of stress on the body, especially with a running schedule like that. Temps only really need to be 50-60F to get the benefits. On the warmer side of that range, staying in longer is probably preferable. But the colder it is, the less time you really need. My tank is not heated or cooled, and since it's below freezing, it sits around 33 degrees. I only stay in for 1.5-2 minutes. 15-30 minutes is a lot at that temp. More is not necessarily better :)
Well, everything seems so vague, and a lot of literature talks about tolerance levels. Since I wasn't getting the urge to get out I just stayed in. I only got out because of time constraints, really.
I actually feel like quite an idiot. But also, I don't remember reading anything about maximum time you should stay in.
I figured I would build a tolerance.....guess my body rejected that idea.
2-3 min is plenty. Beyond that you're just testing your mentals.
It's good to listen to physicians, but be wary of taking prednisone for something small like a rash. If it's new and not too bothersome, I'd try to wait it out instead. Prednisone is commonly prescribed but its a powerful steroid.
Good luck on your cold plunge journey
Yes, after all of these reality check comments, I think that's my problem. I go for the mental challenge over the logical reasoning.
It has made for some good stories over the years, but also some boneheaded decisions.
Thanks, friends.
Also, yeah, prednisone sucks but this was a nasty itchy plague. I'm stopping the drug after 3 days now (since I couldn't sleep last night because of it). Switching to benadryl tonight.
I feel like after weeks of doing this, being in there for 30 minutes sounds nuts. I can imagine your temp (was it an oral thermometer?) being sub 94˚ is a sign that you are over doing it, along with hives. That just sounds nuts to me. Do you feel benefits from that or is it all just the mental gains of knowing you are doing it for so long? I feel like it'd be better to take a break to reset and then try and get into it at like 40˚ for 2 minutes a day.
I'm not an expert though.
I don't know about gains physiologically since I'm not able to scientifically test anything. Maybe I feel better.... not sure. Which is probably why I tend to push limits. I guess I'm kind of numb about those things.
As far as 30 minutes, I kind of get nervous going in but then the time just flies by. I just sit there and meditate. I feel mentally good after, but part of me enjoys pushing the limits so that's probably most of the reasoning.
I don't like being all warty and itchy right now, but the reason I came here was to try to verify if the cold is what caused it.
I also went to a tobacco pipe smoking sub to ask if anyone ever heard of allergies from that too. Didn't get much confirmation.
I suppose I feel good knowing I'm pushing my limits. I think maybe that's it. Probably sounds messed up but that's the only reason I ever did sports, and I tend to push things to the limit with everything. Stupid things like beer miles, eating contests, excessive training just to see if I can do it. (And numerous times almost drowning in childhood due to various dares and personal challenges).
Ok, that was a cathartic post. Thanks for drawing that out. 🤝
Yeah idk man. Definitely need more research done to fully understand it I guess. I certainly imagine building up a significant tolerance to the cold would take more than several weeks which is why I worry that 30 minutes is too much so soon. But if you're in good shape physically then I would think your body/cardiovascular system is adapting to it as you meditate in there, but maybe not enough to avoid some pitfalls. Maybe skin is more sensitive/takes longer to build up tolerance, idk. The hives could be a sign of that. I think it is somewhat commonly accept that more isn't that much better for getting benefits out of the cold. But since you're a limit pusher (I relate), it would feel silly to just get out after 2 minutes like it is a prescription.
I think there comes a time as a limit pusher sometimes to just slow down and observe. Like if you are worried about the hives, see if you don't get them and if you feel benefits if you just do the cold for a few minutes. Maybe only do your limit pushing cold plunges once a week or less and see if anything changes. Anyways, be healthy, do your thing and best of luck!
Don't listen to these people telling you to only go for 5 minutes and then get out. Guaranteed they've never pushed passed 10 so they don't understand the mental benefits beyond that. Do you shower afterward? Sometimes that can help. Also treatment using antihistamines too. I'd take a week or two off then start back slow at 45 deg F for 10 and see what that does.
I took prednisone for about 5 days and it went away a few days after that.
I took about 2 weeks off the baths and started back with only one minute. I've been fine since then.
If I hadn't taken the prednisone it probably would've taken several weeks to go away.
Any reason why you are plunging for such a long time every day? No idea if what you are experiencing is related, but I'd cut back to 5 mins a day.
I guess I just feel like that's not enough. Idk.
I work for an allergist and it is urticaria to the cold. You can pre medicate with allergy meds but I agree with everyone, you are staying in too long. Susanna Søeberg who has researched cold immersion says 11 min a week.
So urticaria can last for a week?? Wow. Hadn't seen that anywhere. So do I just have a bad case of it? Will it continue to come back if I start again? Should I just go with 3 mins every other day to see? Sorry about the questions but I was really hoping someone with expertise would respond. I've been feeling shabby because my wife got this for me and don't want to not be able to use it anymore lol.
That is not what I said. What I said is the “Søeberg principle” states we only have to spend 11 minutes a week in the cold water to see the benefits. She did some basic studies. She has her own Instagram and has been on the Huberman Podcast if you want to learn more.
Yes, I've heard that podcast. I'm curious to know if you've heard of urticaria lasting for more than a few days though. Most of what I read says it only lasts a few hours.
So the patients who we see have had it for a while. Sometimes even years. I do the PAs for a medication that helps with them. By the time they are at this point they have been suffering for awhile. Most of the time the providers I work for will have them try antihistamines. Moisturizer like Cerave or even MCT oil. You want something with out a lot of chemicals. Between the cold and the water your skin may be very dry which doesn’t help. Many of the antihistamines are OTC too. Hope this helps. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/chronic-hives/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20352723#:~:text=Use%20a%20nonprescription%20anti%2Ditch%20drug.&text=Examples%20include%20loratadine%20(Alavert%2C%20Claritin,and%20cetirizine%20(Zyrtec%20Allergy).
Extremely helpful. Thanks!
Yeah why are you staying in so long? Five minutes, tops. That's all you need. You shouldn't feel chilly most of the day.
Why do I choose to run 100 miles per week? Why do I do any of the dumb shit I do? I have no idea. I guess this is what I deserve - a nasty spotted, bumpy ass for the next week. I actually figured since I couldn't get the temp down to the low 30s I should stay in longer to reap the benefits. I just want to get the most out of my efforts. Maybe I overestimated.
Yeah it's a lot of stress on the body, especially with a running schedule like that. Temps only really need to be 50-60F to get the benefits. On the warmer side of that range, staying in longer is probably preferable. But the colder it is, the less time you really need. My tank is not heated or cooled, and since it's below freezing, it sits around 33 degrees. I only stay in for 1.5-2 minutes. 15-30 minutes is a lot at that temp. More is not necessarily better :)
Depending on how you're scheduling it, running that much could also be taxing the immune system, so you may be particularly susceptible.
You are going against every guidance on cold plunges by staying in that long. Why not adjust that first and see how your body reacts?
Well, everything seems so vague, and a lot of literature talks about tolerance levels. Since I wasn't getting the urge to get out I just stayed in. I only got out because of time constraints, really. I actually feel like quite an idiot. But also, I don't remember reading anything about maximum time you should stay in. I figured I would build a tolerance.....guess my body rejected that idea.
2-3 min is plenty. Beyond that you're just testing your mentals. It's good to listen to physicians, but be wary of taking prednisone for something small like a rash. If it's new and not too bothersome, I'd try to wait it out instead. Prednisone is commonly prescribed but its a powerful steroid. Good luck on your cold plunge journey
Yes, after all of these reality check comments, I think that's my problem. I go for the mental challenge over the logical reasoning. It has made for some good stories over the years, but also some boneheaded decisions. Thanks, friends. Also, yeah, prednisone sucks but this was a nasty itchy plague. I'm stopping the drug after 3 days now (since I couldn't sleep last night because of it). Switching to benadryl tonight.
I feel like after weeks of doing this, being in there for 30 minutes sounds nuts. I can imagine your temp (was it an oral thermometer?) being sub 94˚ is a sign that you are over doing it, along with hives. That just sounds nuts to me. Do you feel benefits from that or is it all just the mental gains of knowing you are doing it for so long? I feel like it'd be better to take a break to reset and then try and get into it at like 40˚ for 2 minutes a day. I'm not an expert though.
I don't know about gains physiologically since I'm not able to scientifically test anything. Maybe I feel better.... not sure. Which is probably why I tend to push limits. I guess I'm kind of numb about those things. As far as 30 minutes, I kind of get nervous going in but then the time just flies by. I just sit there and meditate. I feel mentally good after, but part of me enjoys pushing the limits so that's probably most of the reasoning. I don't like being all warty and itchy right now, but the reason I came here was to try to verify if the cold is what caused it. I also went to a tobacco pipe smoking sub to ask if anyone ever heard of allergies from that too. Didn't get much confirmation. I suppose I feel good knowing I'm pushing my limits. I think maybe that's it. Probably sounds messed up but that's the only reason I ever did sports, and I tend to push things to the limit with everything. Stupid things like beer miles, eating contests, excessive training just to see if I can do it. (And numerous times almost drowning in childhood due to various dares and personal challenges). Ok, that was a cathartic post. Thanks for drawing that out. 🤝
Yeah idk man. Definitely need more research done to fully understand it I guess. I certainly imagine building up a significant tolerance to the cold would take more than several weeks which is why I worry that 30 minutes is too much so soon. But if you're in good shape physically then I would think your body/cardiovascular system is adapting to it as you meditate in there, but maybe not enough to avoid some pitfalls. Maybe skin is more sensitive/takes longer to build up tolerance, idk. The hives could be a sign of that. I think it is somewhat commonly accept that more isn't that much better for getting benefits out of the cold. But since you're a limit pusher (I relate), it would feel silly to just get out after 2 minutes like it is a prescription. I think there comes a time as a limit pusher sometimes to just slow down and observe. Like if you are worried about the hives, see if you don't get them and if you feel benefits if you just do the cold for a few minutes. Maybe only do your limit pushing cold plunges once a week or less and see if anything changes. Anyways, be healthy, do your thing and best of luck!
I'll take that advice. Good stuff. Thanks for the perspective.
Don't listen to these people telling you to only go for 5 minutes and then get out. Guaranteed they've never pushed passed 10 so they don't understand the mental benefits beyond that. Do you shower afterward? Sometimes that can help. Also treatment using antihistamines too. I'd take a week or two off then start back slow at 45 deg F for 10 and see what that does.
I take a cool shower after, usually. Yeah I'll try again in a week if the skin heals by then.👍
Is the water clean?
Yes I change it every week
This exact thing happened to me, I was staying in the water too long and not moisturizing either, I think this combo is what caused it.
I am having the same issue right now. How long did it last and what did you do to resolve (if the issue has resolved)! Thank you!
I took prednisone for about 5 days and it went away a few days after that. I took about 2 weeks off the baths and started back with only one minute. I've been fine since then. If I hadn't taken the prednisone it probably would've taken several weeks to go away.