A teenager from north Wales is navigating life with a rare and incurable medical condition that causes her body to react severely to cold temperatures.
Life Disrupted by a Chilling Diagnosis
Amber Woodward, a 16-year-old A-level student, was diagnosed in 2023 with cold urticaria. This rare allergy triggers an outbreak of red, intensely itchy hives whenever her skin is exposed to temperatures below 12 degrees Celsius. Her symptoms first emerged in 2022, but getting a correct diagnosis proved challenging.
Initially, her GP suggested air pollution might be the culprit and did not prescribe medication. Undeterred, Amber researched her symptoms online and discovered information about cold urticaria. She returned to her doctor a few weeks later and pushed for a referral to a specialist.
The Daily Struggle for Normality
Despite being prescribed antihistamines, Amber's condition has shown no significant improvement. The allergy dictates her daily routine and social life. She must wear multiple layers, including leggings under her clothes for most of the year, and frequently has to decline invitations from friends for outdoor activities.
The reaction occurs not just in cold air but also when she emerges from water, be it a shower, swimming pool, or the sea. "I walk about 20 minutes to the bus stop and I get a reaction," Amber explained. The visible symptoms leave her feeling self-conscious at her part-time waitressing job and at school, where she often arrives with a red, bumpy rash.
Hope on the Horizon with New Treatment
Looking ahead, Amber is due to start a new course of treatment involving antihistamine injections every four weeks, which she hopes will alleviate her symptoms. She remains optimistic that future medical research will yield more solutions.
"I just want to be able to do normal things and have a normal life and not have to worry about it," she said, expressing a desire to partake in simple pleasures like going to a swimming pool without fear of a reaction. While some people initially met her diagnosis with disbelief or jokes, showing her medical records helped them understand the reality of her rare and life-altering condition.
