Cold-induced urticaria and angioedema: diagnosis and management.

The physical urticarias compromise a heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by their propensity to form urticarial lesions after exposure to certain physical stimuli, such as heat, vibration, or cold. Although generally benign, systemic hypotension and angioedematous airway compromise are known life-threatening complications. We present the case of a man who experienced benign angioedematous changes in response to cold exposure, and discuss the clinical course, diagnosis, and management of cold urticaria.