Expert: Kathleen Lewis Date: 10/8/2007 Subject: sensitive to cold air conditioner
Question
I am acutely sensitive to cold air conditioner. The effects are immediate and the colder the air the worse things are. This is followed by a thumping headache and painful soreness in the eyes and nostrils. Further exposure can result in heavy nasal congestion and pain spreading all around my eyes, jaws , teeth, And headache. The problem started after my open heart surgery for an aorotic valve replacement, and I am on coumadin therapy for life time. With my primary Dr. we did a lot of lab tests included TSH and they all come normal. Can you offer any help as to what it might be, what has caused it and what can be done?
Answer Hi Racha,
Raynaud's Phenomenon is the only thing that comes to mind even though your symptoms don't completely fit that profile.
It is treated environmentally with gloves, temperature control, etc.. Also, vasodilators can help. This is just a wild guess. I wish I could give you more!
