English carer Tammy Rose Bringloe, 34, claims she found out she was “allergic to the cold” after noticing her body developing red spots and even passing out when exposed to low temperatures.
As a resident of Birmingham, the changes in her body began to bother her the worst when she was bullied by schoolmates as a child because of her condition.
In an interview with the UK newspaper Chron, the nurse said she noticed the apparent anomaly on colder days.
“There were horrible moments when I was growing up and growing up because people used to criticize my body, they’re all obsessed with looks,” she recalls.
Allergy was confirmed after medical examination. Shortly after turning 20, Tammy decided to get help from a specialist when it was confirmed that she had cold urticaria. The abnormality causes irritation and red bumps on the skin.
According to Tammy, the allergic reaction affects her daily life, as “anything colder than (her) body temperature” causes the red spots and other more serious effects.
The young woman also reports that she faints at certain times when a more severe allergic reaction occurs.
She explained that in addition to causing loss of consciousness, hives also cause swelling, itching, an intense burning sensation, and sometimes nausea. The caregiver revealed that her mother and brother also have the same condition but in a less severe way.
“It’s hard to face her”. To deal with the problem, Tammy wears layered clothing as a preventive measure to keep warm. She also takes prescription strong antihistamines. Nevertheless, the woman claims that the reactions are difficult to predict and control, especially in the winter months.
This took over (my life) and I’ve always tried to make people understand because it’s a very strange allergy. It was very difficult to face her.
Tammy wants allergies to be taken seriously. After so many unpleasant experiences, the caregiver wants to draw attention to her condition so that the anomaly can be taken more seriously by doctors and known to people.
“Raising awareness is something that has to happen because nobody knows about it. People take the blame and get bullied. And I’m really against it because I’ve had it myself and it can affect your sanity.”