“He put an ice pack on (Cayden’s) arm and it welted up right away.” - Amy Turk on son’s cold allergy condition is less severe than his son’s. Cold air also causes Cayden to break out into hives and become itchy. In the winter he often returns indoors from recess at Cuyuna Range Elementary School with itchy, aggravated skin. The school nurse has Benadryl on hand for him whenever he needs it and he also takes an antihistamine to help control his allergy symptoms. He can break out into hives when he sweats during physical activity. Sweat is utilized by the body to rapidly cool your skin. This also can trigger hives. In rare cases, swimming in cold water could send those who suffer from cold urticaria into anaphylactic shock, a serious allergic reaction. Amy said before her son was diagnosed with a cold allergy, she used to joke that she was allergic to the cold since she loves vacationing in warmer climates. She had no idea such an allergy existed until her son’s diagnosis two years ago. She said moving to a warmer climate wouldn’t help Cayden. People who suffer from cold urticaria See ALLERGY, Page 14A
Steve Kohls/Brainerd Dispatch
Colten Turk (left) defended the basket from his brother Cayden Turk while playing basketball at their home in Crosby recently.
13