Humans are commonly exposed to extremes in temperature. Fortunately, our skin behaves as an anatomic and physiologic barrier during these periods. Exposure to cold temperatures may result in a variety of symptoms and disorders.
Objective:
Our current understanding of the pathophysiology, clinical presentation, and therapies of cold-induced skin disorders are reviewed.
Methods:
Studies, reviews, and book chapters that contained information on cold-induced skin disorders were reviewed.
Conclusion:
Cold-induced skin disorders are a heterogeneous group of disorders that cause great morbidity, particularly in cold climates. These entities can be classified as physiologic or pathologic responses to freezing or nonfreezing cold exposure.
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