Not So Cool

“Ice Is Nice”

Remember Val Kilmer’s line in the movie “Real Genius”?  That used to be my motto.  Not anymore.

I’m allergic to ice. Weird, I know, but true.

My doctors call the condition cold urticaria and say it may possibly be somehow related to fibromyalgia.  If you place an ice cube on my arm, I get hives.  If I drink frozen drinks, my mouth starts itching.  If I hold freezer packs or cold vegetables, my hands begin to swell, redden and itch uncontrollably. I was diagnosed after injuring my ankle and icing the injury.  Instead of decreased swelling, I had an increase in pain, and my ankle reddened and grew 3 times its size!

I’ve been told that I could die from jumping in too cold of a swimming pool.  I only use heated pools, now. I never drink slushy drinks or eat popsicles, and I really limit my ice cream exposure. 

I’m drawing attention to this because it’s hot outside. It’s really hot and I WANT ICE!

Unfortunately my teen stepdaughter finds this “allergy” fun and reminds me anytime she sees me trying to add it to a drink.  So, I’ve had to find a new way to stay cool this summer!  My neighbor just recently introduced me to Metromint, an insanely cool drink that does the trick.  My favorite flavor so far is Chocolatemint, with a chill factor of 2.  Any other ideas, other than air conditioning and movie theaters?