A musician from Plymouth has revealed her debilitating allergy to rain and cold weather, a rare condition that makes the persistent British downpours of 2026 a daily nightmare. Bee Jarvis, who suffers from cold urticaria, has described how exposure to temperatures under 20°C or wet conditions triggers painful flare-ups, leading her to consider relocating to Australia to escape the UK's climate.
Understanding Cold Urticaria
Cold urticaria is an uncommon allergic reaction affecting an estimated five or six individuals per 10,000 people. According to Allergy UK, urticaria manifests as "nettle rash or hives," characterised by raised red or white skin patches known as wheals. These typically clear within hours but can reappear with continued exposure to triggers.
Bee's Personal Struggle
Bee's condition emerged unexpectedly eight years ago following a hospital stay for gallbladder issues. She experienced an allergic reaction to medication, which later escalated when swimming in the sea to aid recovery. "My body became covered in painful, itchy hives minutes after submersion," she recalled. Since then, any exposure to rain or cold causes immediate flare-ups on her face, hands, or feet.
"I don't have any other allergies, and none of my family suffers like this," Bee explained, expressing confusion over the condition's origin. Her dream is to spend winters in Australia, where warmer temperatures would provide relief from the UK's relentless rain and chill.
Broader Implications of Weather-Related Allergies
Cold urticaria is just one form of urticaria; aquagenic urticaria, triggered by water contact, poses similar challenges during rainy periods. Last year, another sufferer, Erin Cassidy, shared on This Morning that her water allergy was so severe that even crying burned her skin. She recounted years of dismissal by GPs before a new doctor confirmed her diagnosis after a 50-minute consultation.
Bee's story highlights the broader impact of weather on health, especially as the UK faces ongoing rainfall disruptions in 2026. While many grumble about travel delays, for individuals like Bee, the weather presents a genuine health crisis, forcing lifestyle changes and international relocation considerations.
