Ouch Mouse's interview
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How did all start?
It all started out of nowhere. One day I was completely fine, and the next, I was covered in big red angry hives whenever I touched something cold.
Do you already have a diagnosis? How long did it take you to get it?
Yes. Once we knew what we were describing, a diagnosis was very quick. We didn't know what was causing it, so trying to suggest what I was allergic to to a doctor was impossible. We also didn't know how to trigger a reaction or make the hives come up to show what was happening. All we had was photos of the rash and what I'd been doing when it happened, and no idea what caused it. It took me a couple of months to realise that I only got this rash when I was cold... Could it be a thing? And then we googled it, saw that it described me to a T, took it to a doctor, and he agreed. Diagnosis.
For what medical specialties have you been treated? What has been the most useful specialty for your?
I still haven't seen an allergy specialist, but for Cold Urticaria you don't necessarily need to if it's mild and can be managed with antihistamines and avoidance.
What has been the most useful thing for you so far?
My vogmask! It means I can breathe outside during winter without my lungs reacting to the temperature. Also my antihistamines, because they stop my skin from reacting.
What have been your biggest difficulties?
Being believed, and trying to explain it to people who don't believe you can be allergic to the cold. It happens. It's due to weak chemical bonds in certain white blood cells, which cause histamine release when exposed to cold.
How has your social and family environment reacted? Have your social or family relationships changed?
I lost so many people who didn't want to be seen with me when I wear the mask, but it's about my health, not their comfort. So many people just don't get it. But I've built my relationships back up with compassionate and open minded people that see me for me, and not what I put on my face, or what my skin does when it gets too cold.
What things have you stopped doing?
Eating so much ice cream, anything involving ice to an extent. But I would never quit all these cold things forever. It's about taking my medication, and managing risk, and not letting Cold Urticaria stop me from living my life the way I want to. I take all the precautions I can, and then do the thing if I want to do it.
What do you think about the future?
It's exciting.
So far, which years have been the best years in your life? What have you done during them?
I think 2019 was pretty cool *badum tsh*. I started my YouTube channel (http://youtube.com/c/OuchMouse), got my story out there, raised lots of awareness for Cold Urticaria, and also had lots of fun in my personal life.
What would you like to do if you didn’t have your condition?
I'd do the same things, except I wouldn't have to take an antihistamine and wrap up super warm to do it.
If you had to describe your life in a sentence, what would it be?
I can do it in a word: Interesting. But seriously my life is mine, and I wouldn't change anything in it. It's bought me the people who I hold closest to me now, and lots of interesting adventures.
Finally, what advice would you give to a person in a similar situation?
Don't panic. You're going to be OK. Reach out to other people with Cold Urticaria, and don't be afraid to improvise with how you manage your own symptoms.
