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Urticaria: treatment, symptoms, photos

Urticaria is one of the most challenging diseases in terms of treatment and diagnosis, which often refer to allergist-immunologist for advice. The term urticaria combines a number of diseases, which have a different origin, but similar clinical symptoms.
In appearance the rash resembles a cluster of blisters, similar to burns from a nettle. That is hence the name of the disease.

Inherently urticaria is a common disease. According to statistics, the disease is seen in 10-35% of the population at least once in your life. The most disastrous variant of the disease is chronic urticaria, which lasts more than 6-7 weeks.

Officially, the description of the hives are supposed to be considered 1882, although in the works of Hippocrates have been found describing similar symptoms.

Urticaria: the symptoms of this disease

The most pronounced symptom of urticaria is the appearance of blisters on the skin. These blisters resemble outwardly insect bites or burns, emerged from contact with nettle. The skin around the blisters may be red. Sometimes all elements in the affected area of the skin may merge together, thereby forming giant blisters. Typically, these lesions are symmetric in nature.

The main feature of urticaria is the complete reversibility of the blisters. For example: when the disease of the skin becomes irritable and blisters for some time, then bulges disappear, not leaving behind any traces of white spots, burns or scarring.
But, unlike the usual burn from a nettle, the disease manifests itself again, and with the change of dislocation. If today was hives on legs, tomorrow may be discovered hives on his hands.

Re relapses – the main feature of this disease

Hives depending on the type of manifestations are divided into:

  • Acute (also, here physicians include limited angioedema)
  • Persistent papular chronic urticaria;
  • Chronic recurrent;
  • Solar urticaria.

Let's look at in order to each type.

Acute urticaria

Appears this type of disease suddenly and is usually sharp severely itchy rash consisting of elements of different sizes. As a rule, blisters in most cases have the correct rounded shape, but there are also blisters irregular oblong shape. This is due to the fact that some bumps tend to merge together. In this case, may appear fever and chills (so-called "nettle fever), upset stomach, and Generalmalaise.
Acute urticaria was chosen for the manifestation of such places as: arms, legs, buttocks, torso, but this is not all places to meet her. Rarely there is acute urticaria on the mucous membrane of the lips, tongue, larynx, soft palate, nasopharynx, which is quite often difficult breathing and swallowing.
In acute urticaria, the rash appears for 1-2 hours and disappears without a trace. It can continue for several days. In most cases, this form of the disease manifests in the form of protective reaction of the organism to allergies from drugs or food, as well as response to various vaccines, serums, and even a blood transfusion.
Also have acute urticaria is and atypical form, which has a linear form blisters, manifest themselves in mechanical damage to the skin and is distinguished by the absence of itching.

Giant urticaria or acute angioedema is limited

This kind of quite dangerous. It manifests in the form of edema of the skin, which lasts from several hours to several days, the skin becomes white, rarely pinkish. Swelling may be anywhere like on the hands and feet and the penis. When angioedema patients may complain of burning sensation in swelling.
Quincke threat that may develop on the mucous membrane of the larynx, which in turn can lead to serious complications, such as stenosis and asphyxia. If the swelling is situated on the territory of sockets, it can cause blurred vision and deviation of the eyeball.

Persistent papular urticaria

With this form of disease long-lasting rashes are transformed into the stage of papules, and restricted to persistent edema joined by acanthosis and hyperkeratosis. Mainly nodules red-brown color are located at the joints of any extremity. According to statistics, women get sick more often than men.
In some editions it is possible to see this form of urticaria as a variety of pruritus.

Chronic recurrent urticaria

This form of the disease is a direct consequence of sensitization time, which was due to the presence of foci of chronic infection in the body

Solar urticaria

This form of the disease occurs in exposed areas of the skin after prolonged exposure to UV rays. Mainly affects individuals with a strong disturbed porphyrin exchange in patients with various liver diseases. For this form is characterized by seasonality, and crouches season in the spring-summer period when the activity of ultraviolet rays is very high.
Such patients are prohibited for a long time to be in the sun, as this may result in cardiac abnormalities, respiratory failure and evencan lead to shock.

Urticaria: treatment

Treatment of urticaria in the first place is to determine and eliminate the allergen causing the hives. The easiest way to do with acute urticaria.,

Remember, hives can be treated only after consultation and recommendation of the doctor. Self-medicate and you do so at your own risk!

If the patient has chronic urticaria, in this case, you must pass all the tests, including blood, feces and urine. Also, all you need to provide the history of the disease and in some cases even do x-ray examination.
Typically, first and follow through with the treatment prescribed antihistamines, which are widely practiced among lotions, soothing itching, various creams, ointments, cold compresses, etc.
If hives developed on the background of some diseases, and their relationship proved by tests in such cases parallel to the treatment of this disease.
In the case when the swelling captures a large part of the mucosa, thus creating a threat to life, the doctors resort to emergency measures – administered large doses of hormones (steroids), and adrenaline (epinephrine).
Treatment of acute urticaria is quick and within 1-2 days you will notice that great result, which is not true of the chronic form – to improve the condition can take up to 2-3 weeks.

Treatment hives medicine

In acute urticaria, which was caused by ingestion of food or medicinal substances prescribed laxatives and hyposensitizing drugs such as calcium gluconate, 10% solution of calcium chloride,antihistamines.
In severe cases the use of adrenaline and corticosteroids.
Topically applied antipruritic various means, for example: a solution of calendula, salicylic acid, 1% alcohol solution of menthol.

If the diagnosis – chronic urticaria treatment is to identify the etiological factor. When the allergen is detected produce a specific gipersensibilizatsiey, treatment of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, sanitation foci of infection, degelmintizatsiju. It is further recommended to follow a strict diet and completely eliminate stimulants.

Urticaria treatment of folk remedies

    • Previously, there was no cure for the hives, so people found various recipes, preparing tinctures from herbs to combat this disease. Therefore, until our time has come for some recipes that were used in the treatment earlier. And even though they are trusted people, you have to understand that our ecology is in the region changed. Therefore, before using any recipe, the first isconsult with your doctor. And it is better not to engage in self-treatment, and to trust the professionals.
      Below are a few recipes that can be used in the treatment, but be sure to to your doctor.

      1. Grass cocklebur common. It is made from the tincture (2%) 50-degree alcohol. Make children 2-10 drops, for adults 15-20 drops in a tablespoon of warm water. The submission period is 3-4 times/day.
      2. The root of Calamus. Root grind into powder and take half a teaspoon before bed with a glass of warm water.
      3. Fragrant celery. We need a fresh juice or infusion of finely powdered celery, filled with water for 2 hours. Juice take half a teaspoon 3 times a day, and the infusion 1/3 Cup 30 minutes before a meal.
      4. Dead-nettle (deaf nettle). Cup boiling water pour 1 tablespoon of flowers. Let stand 30 min. to Take a glass 3 times a day.

      Allergy-free menu or what foods you can eat

      If the disease is provoked by food, you should go on a diet, using the following products:

      • Vegetables and herbs: Dill, parsley, lettuce, broccoli, potatoes (pre-soaked in water for 2 hours), pub.
      • Cereals: rice, buckwheat, corn – cooking water.
      • Oil: vegetable and butter in a small number of Islands.
      • Meat: Turkey, rabbit.
      • Soups: vegetables, cereals meat Turkey or rabbit.
      • Sugar: fructose.
      • Bakery products: drying, unleavened, white bread, dry crisp bread, hypoallergenic cookies.
      • Dairy products: pure yogurt, cottage cheese, baby yogurt.

      Using food these foods, you can reduce the risk of relapse and improve their condition. In the future, you can add 1 product every 14 days.

      Urticaria in children

      Starts hives in children spontaneously, with intense itching in various parts of the body. Moreover, the blisters that jump in urticaria can be not only on the body, but also on the mucous membrane of the eyes, gastrointestinal tract, and lips. And usually lasts from several minutes to several hours.
      The most dangerous for children of all variants is angioedema. About it we wrote a little higher. And if the adult child will be able to complain of swelling, the infant is unlikely.
      If the disease occurs for the first time, it is called acute urticaria. This form is often accompanied by headaches, malaise, and high fever. If you do not take any measures, it is possible escalating from the acute form of chronic urticaria in children.

      What to do? Whom to contact? Go to the doctor

      In the hospital with the disease usually fight two doctors : allergist and dermatologist. Usually, the doctor should collect the anamnesis,so he asks things like:

      • When and how did the disease;
      • what products powered;
      • what used to hurt and which drugs were taken;
      • was a long trip;
      • was gastrointestinal and autoimmune diseases;
      • etc.

      First aid kid

      If the child has a swollen neck or face, or there were difficulties in swallowing and breathing, immediately contact a doctor or call an ambulance. If the rash on the body of the child does not go away within 5-6 days, you should see a doctor and find out the cause of the rash. Allergic to the skin of a child may cause a rise in temperature.
      If a child angioedema and it is becoming harder and harder to breathe – call an ambulance, and in the meantime give any child an antihistamine, and try to provide him with calm breathing, calm, giving Valerian and move to the cold. These actions must be done, as swelling of the Airways can be increased by the fright.
      In other cases, watch the rash if it is short, single and ill health is no, then you should not worry, maybe it's allergic to some product or touch with a certain material. Often this rash appears on the face of the child.

      Types of urticaria in children

      In our time, scientists have learned to recognize all types of urticaria, among which some occur as a consequence of allergies and other from some external influence. In fact data varieties not so much

      Hives from pressure. Practically occurs only in children with prolonged pressure or friction on the skin such items as straps, elastic from trousers, prolonged sitting, lifting, etc. a Rash of this kind are usually accompanied by a burning sensation and can last from 30 minutes to 9 hours. The duration of the rash depends on the reaction, which is immediate and slow. The child may also complain of chills, fever, malaise.
      Vibratory urticaria. May appear in a child after a trip by car or after a massage, shaking, running.
      Cold allergies or cold urticaria. Manifested in the form of a rash after exposure to cold or a long stay outside in the freezing weather.
      Cholinergic urticaria. Is manifested in children after fever, usually after a run or hot shower. This allergic rash in children is so typical that doctors define it by the look on blisters.
      The marine Krapivina. A very rare disease, the rash which occurs after any contact with water, regardless of its temperature. This rash appears a few minutes after contact.
      Solar urticaria. When exposed to ultraviolet radiation in children rashunprotected areas of the skin. For long-term stay under the open sun possible health deterioration, respiratory disorder, heart disorder, and even shock.

      Hives during pregnancy

      During pregnancy a woman's body is the development of a large number of female hormones (estrogens) that in fact is one of the risk factors for the development of urticaria. The characteristic features of urticaria in pregnant women – pronounced skin itching, scratching the skin, insomnia, irritability.
      If a rash, it must necessarily show a dermatologist, as in pregnant urticaria can be differentiated from dermatitis.
      I would like to note that in most cases, urticaria in pregnancy treatment is the same as the treatment in most adults.

      Hives photo


      In conclusion, I would like to clarify a few points:

      • If you are concerned about the question "are hives contagious or not, in most cases it is not contagious, as this Allergy on the skin and is a protective reaction of the human body to certain actions.
      • Any form of rash, it is recommended to consult a doctor for diagnosis and advice and not to self-medicate.