Cold water urticaria.

[Subcooled]

Hi J,

Cold-induced urticaria a histamine reaction to cold. It sounds simple, but you'll need to protect your skin from contact with cold water. A drysuit might be a solution. It depends on how sensitive you are.

Did this condition just present itself? It's interesting that you've been diving for 20 years but have never experienced symptoms until you went ice diving. Has all of your diving been in warm water?

Best regards,
DDM

A drysuit AND warm clothing beneath it. Gloves and woollen socks, too. Get a warm hood. Some of you skin (face) could get exposed though, so perhaps you want an "icehood" (search for one online, e.g. the H2 icehood).