Brighton woman develops rare cold allergy post-Covid

A 27-year-old woman named Hanna Newnham from Brighton has developed a rare allergy to cold temperatures after recovering from Covid-19. This condition, known as cold urticaria, causes her to break out in hives and experience severe allergic reactions whenever she is exposed to cold. Hanna first noticed her allergy in April 2021 after swimming in the sea. By December, she suffered her first anaphylaxis attack triggered by a chilled milkshake. Since then, she can no longer drink cold beverages or exercise outdoors in winter. Despite taking high-dose antihistamines and steroids, Hanna's reactions have worsened. She now faces daily risks, especially during colder months. If she does not carefully manage her body temperature and environment, she can experience facial swelling or severe anaphylaxis, which can make it hard for her to breathe. Hanna has been waiting for a specialist appointment and aims to be prescribed XOLAIR, a medication that can cost £6,000 every six weeks. While her symptoms control her life, Hanna has adapted by doing home workouts such as yoga and gymnastics. She remains hopeful that warmer weather will bring some relief. However, she continues to navigate daily challenges and stay in touch with her GP as she seeks the best treatment for her condition.