Suction blister device with regulation of temperature: demonstration of histamine release and temperature change in cold urticaria.

A suction blister device with a sensitive thermometer and with a temperature regulator was constructed. Utilizing this device, it was demonstrated that the cold challenge induces an increase in the skin temperature in cold urticaria patients during the cold challenge and a simultaneous release of histamine into the suction blisters. The skin temperature increases faster after the cold challenge period in cold urticaria patients than in normal control persons. This could be explained by vasodilatation and increased circulation in the skin, following the release of histamine in the cold urticaria reaction.