Urticaria began what to do. How to treat allergic urticaria. Nervous urticaria

There is an extensive group of diseases that have similar clinical symptoms - allergic urticaria.

A third of the world's population at least once experienced the manifestations of this disease.

What is it

With allergic urticaria, blisters appear on the skin that resemble a nettle burn, causing itching and burning.

A feature of the mechanism of the development of the disease is immediate type hypersensitivity.

After the allergen enters the body, the reaction develops very quickly. The disease is not contagious.

The reasons

The human body can react differently to certain substances.

Approximately 75% of patients suffering from this type of allergy manifest an acute form of the disease.

Depending on what exactly stimulates the production of mast cells, there are immune and non-immune forms of urticaria.

In the acute form, immunological mechanisms of rash formation dominate, while in the chronic form, the activation mechanism may be different.

The etiological factors that provoke urticaria are divided into:

• on exogenous (physical) factors. These include mechanical, temperature, food, medicinal provocateurs;
• to endogenous factors. These are somatic diseases and pathological processes of internal organs. The cause of an allergic reaction in this case may be cholecystitis, pancreatitis, lupus erythematosus, gout, diabetes mellitus, tumors of various localization, hormonal fluctuations.

Acute

In acute urticaria, after contact with the allergen, the rash appears quickly. It looks like small or large blisters, red in color with a bright border.

The rash may appear in small patches.

Most often they are localized on the skin, but sometimes they can also be observed on the mucous membranes.

The rash disappears within twelve hours.

Periodically, it can occur on new areas of the skin. In general, the disease lasts up to six weeks.

Chronic

Chronic or recurrent urticaria. The illness lasts more than six weeks and can last for three to five years.

In half of the cases, rashes reappear after a long remission.

Women are more likely to suffer from this disease.

There are chronic persistent urticaria, in which the rash is constantly updated, and chronic recurrent, manifested in the form of exacerbations, after certain periods of time.

Pseudo form

Pseudo-allergic urticaria is a non-independent disease, but a symptom indicating a malfunction in the digestive organs.

It occurs when:

• chronic gastritis;
• hepatitis;
• infectious diseases;
• helminthiases;
• or is the result of poisoning.

It differs from the allergic form of the disease in that the immune system does not take part in the formation of mediators of its occurrence.

Types of urticaria allergies

There are the following types of urticaria:

• acute;
• chronic;
• subacute;
• chronic relapsing.

Acute

Acute urticaria develops as an allergic reaction to medications, foods, viruses, or insect bites.

Most often occurs on the skin of the limbs and trunk and is accompanied by severe itching, which increases in warmth and hyperemia that occurs 15-20 minutes after contact with the allergen.

Acute urticaria begins suddenly, rashes can also disappear quickly, leaving practically no traces.

Giant form or acute limited Quincke's edema

Nettle fever or Quincke's edema is an allergic reaction of the body to any irritant.

It manifests itself in the form of blisters, which can reach large sizes.

Most often observed on the face in the area of ​​the lips, eyes or mucous membranes. With a sharp swelling of the skin, large nodes are formed.

Sometimes it can cause swelling of the hands, feet, or genitals.

Nettle fever can block the airways, causing asphyxia, in which case it poses a threat to human life. The edema disappears within a day or several hours.

Persistent papular

Papular urticaria develops as a result of long-term treatment of any type of urticaria.

It is accompanied by the formation of papular blisters, due to the fact that a cellular infiltrate is added to the existing edema.

The blisters rise above the surface of the skin, and the tissues underneath swell.

The disease can last for months and progress, accompanied by severe itching and hyperpigmentation, due to which some areas of the skin acquire a dark tint.

Chronic relapsing

This type of disease is characterized by a wave-like course.

The disease can last up to twenty years, with periods of stable remission.

Urtricarial elements are rarely transformed into papular ones.

Often it is accompanied by Quincke's edema.

This form of an allergic reaction is distinguished by especially severe itching. Often, patients suffering from the disease, comb the skin to the blood.

Possible infection of the scratches and the addition of a secondary infection.

Sunny

The cause of the disease is ultraviolet radiation, but its occurrence is also associated with porphyrias of various origins and chronic liver diseases.

It manifests itself in open areas of the body, in the form of a rash and blisters that occur within ten minutes after exposure to the sun.

Video: More about the disease

Symptoms

There are characteristic signs that indicate urticaria. The symptoms of hives allergy can vary in severity.

These include:

• rash. With different forms of the disease, the rash may differ. It can be small or large and consists of blisters of scarlet color, with bright red or white edging, which is characteristic of acute urticaria. Sometimes merge, forming large spots. With giant urticaria, the blisters can reach enormous sizes, and with papular fever, they can be supplemented with papules;
• itching. Determines the severity of the course of the disease. The most severe is the excruciating itching, as a result of which insomnia and neurotic disorders develop;
• swelling and redness of tissues;
• temperature rise. Occurs if the rash occupies a large area;
• joint pain;
• convulsions, asphyxia, dizziness.

Diagnostics

Diagnosis of urticaria occurs in several stages. A visual examination and anamnesis are taken.

If the cause of the disease is difficult to identify, diagnostic tests are prescribed:

1. for food allergens. At the same time, a potato-rice diet is prescribed to exclude allergies to the most common foods.
2. physical provocative tests, for heat, cold, tension, pressure.
3. atopy testing: house dust, plant pollen, animal hair.

The patient should keep a food diary in which to mark what foods and in what quantities he consumed.

At the same time, an illuminating diet is prescribed, and products that can provoke an ailment are excluded from the patient's menu in turn, and a general assessment of the condition is carried out.

Treatment

In some cases, the treatment of urticaria allergy can take a long period. For this, both medicines and folk methods are used.

In order to get rid of this type of allergy, products for external and internal use are used.

drugs

In the treatment of endogenous urticaria, it is necessary to eliminate the underlying disease that provokes the symptom.

To do this, prescribe drugs of different groups:

• in case of liver diseases, sorbents and hepaprotectors are prescribed;
• if the symptom is a consequence of gout - drugs that remove urea and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
• in diabetes - antidiabetic drugs;
• if the disease is provoked by worms or protozoa, then antiprotozoal and anthelmintic drugs are prescribed.

With nettle fever, intravenous administration of Calcium Chloride or Sodium thiosulfate is indicated, which contribute to the elimination of the allergen from the body.

In severe forms of the disease, corticosteroid therapy is indicated. These drugs include Prednisolone or Dexamethasone.

Pathogenetic therapy is also carried out in parallel, antihistamines of the first, second and third generation are prescribed:

1. Diazolin, Suprastin, Tavegil, Fenkarol, Diphenhydramine. They act for a short time, cause drowsiness.
2. Loratadine, Cetirizine, Fenistil. The action is longer, taken once a day, and does not cause drowsiness.
3. Astemizol, Erius, Telfast, Tigofast. They act for a long time and have a minimum of side effects.

With Quincke's edema accompanied by laryngeal edema, the following is prescribed:

1. subcutaneous adrenaline;
2. intravenously Prednisolone;
3. intramuscularly Tavegil or Suprastin.

In the future, the body is cleansed with the help of sorbents, calcium preparations and antihistamine therapy is carried out.

If necessary, intravenous drip infusion solutions are indicated: Reamberin, Sodium chloride, Neogemodez. In chronic recurrent urticaria, the hormonal drug Prednisolone is prescribed in tablets, for a course of up to one and a half months according to the scheme, in combination with antihistamines.

Folk methods

For the treatment of nettle fever, decoctions and infusions of herbs are used to help relieve itching and get rid of the rash.

Baths with string and chamomile are effective:

• raw materials should be mixed in the same proportion;
• a glass of herbal collection is placed in a gauze napkin;
• tied and poured with three liters of boiling water;
• after it has been infused for six hours, the infusion is poured into a bathtub one-third filled with water.

If the rash is located in foci, the squeezed raw materials can be used for compresses, which are applied for twenty minutes.

You can take a decoction of a string inside, for this a tablespoon of herbs, pour half a liter of hot water and boil for five minutes. After an hour, the infusion should be filtered and drunk during the day.

How to relieve severe itching

In order to relieve severe itching, hormonal-based ointments are used for contact nettle fever:

• Sinaflan;
• Prednisolone;
• Hydrocortisone.

They are used in the event that the area of ​​\u200b\u200bdamage to the skin is small.

Non-hormonal ointments that relieve itching include:

1. Psilo-balm;
2. Fenistil;
3. it is possible to use herbal baths or cold compresses.
4. effective are talkers with the addition of menthol.
5. oral antihistamines are used.

In severe cases, hormonal drugs are prescribed intravenously and infusions.

Prevention

To prevent urticaria, direct contact with the allergen should be avoided.

People with allergies should stick to a dietary diet, avoiding the use of synthetic dyes and preservatives in food.

It is necessary to use hypoallergenic household chemicals and cosmetics.

Allergens can accumulate in the body, their number expands, so in adults, the symptoms of the disease appear more often.

People who are allergic to the sun should use sunscreen and avoid direct sunlight on exposed skin.

In the complex treatment of the disease, a hypoallergenic diet is prescribed.

From the menu should be excluded:

• foods that cause histamine release: cheese, chocolate, citrus fruits, nuts, strawberries;
• foods that promote the formation of histamine-like substances: sauerkraut;
• foods that irritate the gastrointestinal tract: fried, fatty, spicy, smoked, salty;
• alcohol, carbonated drinks;
• if possible, stop taking medications.

A healthy diet and diet will help to avoid recurrence of the disease.

1. periodically you need to arrange fasting days and drink enough fluids. Alkaline water is a natural antihistamine;
2. to prevent the recurrence of the disease, you need to monitor the condition of the liver and avoid stagnation of bile in the ducts and gallbladder. To do this, you need to take choleretic drugs (in the event that there are no stones in the gallbladder);
3. in childhood, dysbacteriosis can become the cause of urticaria, so if your child develops a skin rash, a coprogram is necessary.

How to assess severity?

The severity of an allergic reaction is assessed by the degree of damage to the skin. If more than 50% of the skin is covered with a rash, and the disease progresses, then it manifests itself in a severe form.

The appearance of angioedema is already a severe form of the disease and requires immediate treatment.

Indicates a severe degree:

• severe itching;
• lowering blood pressure.

With moderate severity, the rash covers the skin by 30-50%.

Do I need to call an ambulance?

Quincke's edema can develop within a quarter of an hour and be accompanied by a drop in blood pressure, difficulty breathing and will end in death.

At the first sign of illness, you should immediately call an ambulance. This should also be done if a generalized rash occupies a large area, is accompanied by an increase in body temperature, convulsions.

For any manifestations of allergies, you should consult your doctor.

First aid

First of all, you need to stop the action of the allergen. In acute cases, you can do a cleansing enema or take a laxative.

It is imperative to take an antihistamine medication, if possible, it should be administered intramuscularly or intravenously in a solvent.

The disease is treated by an allergist or dermatologist. Under the guise of urticaria, various infectious diseases can appear. Self-medication can be harmful to health.

- an allergic skin condition that manifests itself in the form of redness, itching and is characterized by the appearance of blisters or papules.

Generalized urticaria(ICD10 code L50) differs from the usual large area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe spread of the rash - rashes often fill the entire body of the patient.

• Symptoms and manifestations
• The reasons
• Diagnostics
• Treatment
• First aid
• Medical therapy
• Folk remedies
• Diet

Symptoms and manifestations

Symptoms of generalized urticaria are similar to the symptoms of any other form of urticaria, but are characterized by increased severity and the presence of a general malaise of the patient:

Severe manifestations generalized urticaria last about 2-3 days, if untreated - up to a week, then the disease goes into remission.

To know about all stages and symptoms of urticaria you can in the video:

A photo

You can see more clearly what it looks like generalized urticaria all over the body, a photo:

The reasons

Generalized urticaria- This is a neglected form of the usual allergic urticaria.

The rash can be caused by physical factors such as heat, cold, exercise, sunlight, stress, constant pressure on the area of ​​skin (such as from a belt), a sudden rise in body temperature (from fever or hot baths and showers), or contact with an irritating chemical, detergent, cosmetics or soap.

The rash may be symptom systemic allergic reaction:

• Pollen, animal hair, mold;
• Insect bites, especially bee stings, hornet stings;
• Food allergies (tree nuts, fish and shellfish, full fat dairy products, legumes, peanuts), food additives;
• Allergy to drugs, penicillin or aspirin.

Causes hives also include:

• Stress, depression, strong feelings;
• Overwork;
• Disruptions in the endocrine system;
• Disorders of the gastrointestinal tract;
• Fungal diseases.

Diagnostics

Allergist or the dermatologist will ask about a history of allergic reactions, as well as recent exposure to pets, plants, insects, or new foods or drugs on the patient's skin and body.

During physical examination the doctor will measure the pressure, examine the patient's skin, measure its temperature, conduct several skin tests (drawing on the skin with a blunt object - for the presence of dermographism, an ice test - for the presence of cold urticaria, a test using an exercise bike - for the presence of cholinergic urticaria).

Specialist also may appoint:

• Complete blood count and allergen analysis;
• Analysis of urine;
• Analysis of feces for dysbacteriosis and analysis of worms;
• Ultrasound diagnostics of the abdominal cavity.

Treatment

First aid

As first aid the patient can:

• Eliminate exposure to the allergen (if it can be identified);
• With Quincke's edema, immediately call an ambulance, the patient will be given an injection of Prednisolone;
• A single dose of an antihistamine drug (Suprastin, Tavegil) before visiting a doctor;
• At the first symptoms of anaphylactic shock, call an ambulance immediately. Before her arrival, place the patient on a horizontal surface, legs slightly above the head.

First aid for Quincke's edema on video:

Medical therapy

For relax simple manifestations of urticaria, the doctor will prescribe:

• Anti-itch body lotion (for example, calamine lotion);
• Cream or ointment (Fenistil-gel, Gistan-N, Asmanex, Mometasone, Uniderm);
• Antihistamine drug Tavegil, Suprastin, Tavist or Benadryl 2 r / day in the morning and evening.

If these drugs are not effective, the specialist will prescribe sedative antihistamines: Cyproheptadine, Azatadine, or Atarax.

The initial appointment is scheduled for the evening due to the calming effect, as well as hormonal ointments: Advantan, Prednisolone ointment, Elocom, Soderm.

For persons with significant side effects from these medicines, non-sedating antihistamines may be used, including Claritin, Zyrtec, or Allegra.

In cases where the patient is resistant to such treatment, urticaria therapy is added H2 receptor blockers. These include Zantak, Aksid, Tagamet.

If the patient does not respond to antihistamine therapy, the doctor prescribes:

• Glucocorticosteroids to suppress the immune system in chronic generalized urticaria;
• Laxatives and diuretics;
• Bronchodilators and oxygen therapy (in the presence of bronchospasm).

At severe symptoms generalized urticaria, the doctor may prescribe:

Reception leukotriene receptor antagonists a type of medication that will help reduce redness and swelling of the skin.

Side effects antagonists are rare and relatively minor compared to glucocorticosteroids. These are drugs such as Cyclosporine, which has been shown to be effective in treating hives by suppressing the harmful effects of the immune system, and Omaluzimab, which is given by injection and reduces the amount of antibodies that cause generalized hives.

Folk remedies

Traditional medicine aims to relieve symptoms mild (to moderate) form of generalized urticaria, against the background of a severe / acute form, traditional medicine will be powerless.

• Wipe your skin menthol lotion previously applied to a cotton pad. This will help reduce itching;
• Drink more water, it is desirable to drink Borjomi;
• 400 gr oatmeal grind in a blender and add to a warm bath, take it for 30 minutes. A colloidal solution of oats will reduce itching and relieve inflammation;
• mix valerian tincture and hawthorn(they can be purchased at a pharmacy), drink 35 drops of the mixture at night every day, drink clean boiled water, this will calm the nerves, relieve itching and inflammation caused by hives;

• Pour 1 dessert spoon yarrow herb a glass of boiling water (250 ml), leave for 45 minutes, drink 3 r / day before meals for 2 weeks;
• 250 gr marjoram pour boiling water (4 l), leave for 30 minutes, add the resulting composition to a pre-filled warm bath, the duration of the procedure is 15 minutes, the course of treatment is 10 days.

Diet

Antihistamine diet includes the following principles:

Add in the diet:

• Chicken and turkey;
• Fresh fruits – with the exception of strawberries, most fresh fruits have low histamine levels;
• Fresh vegetables - except for tomatoes;
• Grains - rice noodles, rye bread, oats, puffed rice, crackers, millet flour, pasta (from corn or durum wheat);
• Fresh pasteurized milk and skimmed dairy products;
• Milk substitutes – coconut milk, rice milk;
• Cream cheese, butter;
• Most leafy herbs;
• Herbal teas.

Find out more about methods of treatment and prevention of urticaria can on video:

Finally, generalized urticaria should not be left to chance. Against the background of the occurrence of this disease, it is important to seek medical help.

Only doctor can prescribe an adequate treatment for the disease, which will completely relieve the patient of symptoms and discomfort.

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What is urticaria

General name for a group of skin diseases. The main symptom of hives is the appearance of itchy blisters on the surface of the skin and mucous membranes. As a rule, the causes of urticaria are allergic in nature. Urticaria in children is manifested by blistering elements on the trunk, buttocks, extensor surfaces of the limbs. The main condition for effective treatment of urticaria is to identify the cause of the allergic reaction.

Causes of hives

Acute urticaria is more commonly caused by drugs, food, infection, or a hymenopteran bite. Chronic urticaria is more often associated with a variety of pathologies. Cases of physical urticaria caused by cold, heat, physical activity, pressure, vibration, sunlight are considered separately. A feature of urticaria is the rapid development and equally rapid disappearance (from several minutes to several hours) after the appointment of adequate therapy.

In clinical practice, the classification of urticaria is most often used, based on etiological factors, for example, drug, food, mechanical (artificial), cold (the reaction to cold can be slow, manifesting itself after 1-2 days), thermal (occurs mainly before menstruation, during pregnancy, in the elderly, more often during the transition from cold to heat), toxic (with direct exposure to the skin of irritants - nettles, hairs of caterpillars, jellyfish, bees, etc.), light (caused by ultraviolet, infrared and visible spectrum rays ). Chronic forms of urticaria are often associated with impaired functions of the liver, kidneys, gastrointestinal tract, helminthic invasions, foci of chronic infection (in the tonsils, dental granulomas, gallbladder and duct, etc.), toxicosis of pregnant women, decay products of malignant tumors.

Urticaria symptoms

Urticaria is divided into acute, including acute limited Quincke's edema, chronic recurrent and persistent papular chronic urticaria. The acute form of the disease occurs rapidly, suddenly in the form of profuse urticarial rashes, located on the trunk, upper and lower extremities. The blisters are distinguished by juiciness, rich pink color with a pearly tint and intense itching. With an abundant number of elements, the blisters merge into extensive foci with uneven polycyclic edges. In this case, subfebrile condition with chills (nettle fever), gastrointestinal disorders, biliary dyskinesia, neurotic conditions can be observed.

Rash elements can occur on the mucous membranes of the oral cavity, nasopharynx, larynx, where they are accompanied by swelling that makes breathing and swallowing difficult. Rashes of blisters usually do not last long and disappear after 1-2 hours. The general course of acute urticaria is calculated in several days. With rational treatment, it is quickly resolved. Acute limited Quincke's edema often occurs on its own, but can also be combined with urticaria. The disease begins suddenly with a rapid limited swelling of the skin or mucous membranes, often in the face, nasopharynx and genitals. The skin acquires a pinkish-pearl color, becomes tense, dense to the touch, painful or slightly itchy, with a burning sensation. Edema is especially dangerous in the larynx or pharynx, where it can lead to stenosis and asphyxia.

Chronic recurrent urticaria is characterized by less abundant and less violent blisters that appear paroxysmal over several (sometimes tens) of years. Periods of relapse alternate with remissions of varying duration. During an exacerbation, general somatic phenomena are observed: subfebrile condition, gastrointestinal discomfort, arthralgia, headache, malaise, weakness. Persistent papular urticaria usually transforms from chronic recurrent due to the addition of polymorphic cell infiltration to the interstitial edema. Nodular elements differ in stagnant-erythematous color, dense or densely elastic consistency, are located in the place of blisters and repeat their shapes and sizes.

A special type of disease from the "pruritus" group is strophulus, or children's pruritus (it is sometimes called children's urticaria). Dermatosis occurs in children with exudative diathesis at the age of 1 to 4 years, sometimes during teething. The leading pathogenetic factor is alimentary allergization to cow's milk, some varieties of fish, chocolate, citrus fruits, egg white, mushrooms, strawberries, strawberries. In infants, sensitization to the protein (caseinogen) of mother's milk is possible. Often, pruritus (children's urticaria) occurs as a result of intolerance to therapeutic serums, antibiotics, sulfa drugs and other drugs. Gastrointestinal functional insufficiency, accompanied by autointoxication and autosensitization, is of great importance in the formation of dermatosis.

Children's urticaria manifests itself as blistering elements on the trunk, buttocks, extensor surfaces of the limbs. In the center of most blisters, one can see dense, millet-sized, intensely itchy nodules (papular strophulus). The most characteristic papules, at the top of which there are small vesicles (papulo-vesicle or seropapule) or small blisters filled with serous fluid (bullous strofulus). Due to severe itching with constant scratching, excoriations and erosions are formed on the surface of the papulo-vesicles, covered with hemorrhagic crusts. In most children, after the cessation of breastfeeding, the rash regresses.

An irrational diet, the presence of foci of chronic infection, frequent use (for example, for OVRI) of antibiotics or sulfonamides contribute to a chronic relapsing course of strophulus with its further transformation into adult pruritus or diffuse neurodermatitis. Strofulus is often accompanied by angioedema, as well as asthmatic bronchitis, rhinitis, gastrointestinal dysfunctions, insomnia and neurotic disorders. In children with chronic pruritus, white dermographism, the absence of a plantar reflex (symptom of T. P. Pavlov) and a decrease in the abdominal reflex, severe dry skin, reduced sweating and lymphadenopathy are observed. Blood tests show eosinophilia, lymphocytosis, and elevated ESR.

Symptoms of hives in children

Allergic urticaria in children appears as a red or light pink rash on the body, limbs, mucous membranes of the eyes and lips, along with itching and swelling. The duration of the disease can range from several minutes to several hours, and in some cases even days. The most dangerous symptom is swelling of the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract, which makes breathing difficult, causing an attack of severe coughing. In this case, you need to call an ambulance. With swelling of the gastrointestinal tract, the child may experience diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, headache, nervous system disturbance, dizziness, and slight lethargy. Urticaria can be acute or chronic. In acute urticaria, the symptoms of the disease occur for the first time, therefore, if a rash, weakness, headache and body temperature up to 39C appear, you should immediately consult a doctor, otherwise the acute form may become chronic. As a rule, the cause of acute urticaria in children is the impact of drugs and food allergens. Among other reasons, it should be noted: helminthic invasion, caries, viral infections, disorders of the gastrointestinal tract and endocrine system.

Urticaria symptoms in adults

The main symptoms of hives in adults are severe itching and the appearance of whitish-pink blisters. The rash can be located anywhere on the body, causing local tissue swelling. In addition, body temperature may rise to 39C, anxiety increases and appetite disappears. A specific sign of urticaria is the rapid relief of allergies by taking antihistamine medications. Symptoms of urticaria may precede the development of more severe conditions, such as anaphylactic shock or angioedema, so if the described symptoms appear, you should immediately consult a doctor. You may need urgent medical attention if you experience the following symptoms: swelling of your throat, face, or neck; suffocation; loss of consciousness.

Urticaria treatment

An obligatory component of the treatment of urticaria is diet, a special lifestyle. It should be noted that with urticaria, a number of drugs are prohibited that can be prescribed for the treatment of concomitant diseases of a patient with urticaria. These drugs include: aspirin and its derivatives, codeine, ACE inhibitors (Enap, Enam, Capoten, etc.). If you suffer or have suffered from urticaria, you should definitely notify your doctor about this so that he does not prescribe you drugs that can provoke an exacerbation. Traditionally, treatment for hives begins with antihistamines. It is preferable to use 3rd generation drugs: Telfast, Zyrtec, Erius, etc. Sometimes (with chronic urticaria) a long-term, up to three months or more, medication is required.

Treatment of urticaria in children

When prescribing treatment for urticaria in children, the pediatrician must find out the main cause of the disease. When urticaria appears, as a response to a food allergy, it is necessary first of all to remove the causative agent of the disease from the child's body. Plentiful drinking, laxatives are prescribed, in case of urgent need it is quite possible to remove the allergen with an enema. If there is severe itching, skin rashes, then the child is allowed to take an antihistamine drug. Sometimes children are prescribed special therapeutic baths, the body is washed with allergic rashes only with baby soap. If after the treatment of urticaria in children there is no significant improvement in the condition, the itching only intensifies, it is imperative to seek help from a pediatrician. In general, recovery from urticaria occurs after a considerable time. In addition to the use of special medications that can alleviate the condition of a sick child, it is necessary to fulfill some extremely important conditions.

The main condition is to identify the exact cause of an allergic reaction in a child, the unconditional exclusion of absolutely any contact with him. The child must be examined in the most serious way and immediate treatment of this pathology should begin. During the examination period, parents will need to take a responsible attitude to the prescribed strict diet. It will be necessary to carry out serious detoxification measures in the living room of a child suffering from an allergic reaction. Antihistamines can only be taken as directed by a doctor. Quite often, in the treatment of urticaria in children, the doctor prescribes general strengthening therapy. With regular repetition of episodes with urticaria, you should definitely show the child to a dermatologist, allergist, neurologist, gastroenterologist, endocrinologist. An examination conducted by absolutely all of the above specialists will allow you to clearly see the full picture of the disease.

A child suffering from allergies and in need of competent treatment of urticaria in children must have a special diet that excludes products such as coffee, natural bee honey, nuts, and spices. It will be necessary to exclude from the diet products containing food colorings, which are considered the strongest provocateurs of allergic reactions, in particular, urticaria in children. With a competent determination of the causes of urticaria in children, the establishment of a provoking disease factor, allergies are necessarily treatable. Ointments should not be used to treat allergic reactions such as hives. The ointment gives a short-lived effect of application, and some antihistamines also do not completely cure hives. Any case of occurrence and treatment of urticaria in children is exclusively individual. A pediatrician requires a careful approach to each small patient.

Allergic urticaria

Allergic urticaria is a skin reaction to an allergen, the main manifestation of which is severe itching and blistering, similar to a nettle burn or insect bites. A typical property of allergic urticaria is its sudden onset, as well as complete disappearance, even without the use of drugs. In addition, additional symptoms of this type of urticaria are fever, dizziness, nausea, indigestion, and vomiting. Allergic urticaria can appear after eating familiar foods or taking various medications.

Other factors influencing the occurrence of the disease can be: bites of various insects, stress, contact with individual plants, too high or too low ambient temperature. In the treatment of allergic urticaria, it is necessary to eliminate the cause of the development of an allergic reaction. The acute form of urticaria requires immediate treatment, after the doctor prescribes effective drugs, it quickly passes. The most difficult thing is to cope with the chronic form of urticaria, which is treated for a long time. For the treatment of allergic urticaria, methods of homeopathy, herbal medicine, cryotherapy and autolymphocytotherapy are used. Many experts agree that in order to cope. To prevent the disease, it is necessary to strengthen the immune system and follow the right diet.

Solar urticaria is a type of photodermatosis caused by the action of ultraviolet rays on the skin. Other symptoms of solar urticaria are redness of the skin, blistering, severe itching, skin peeling and swelling that appear after about a day. Sometimes these symptoms may be accompanied by disorders of the respiratory and cardiovascular systems. The disease can be complicated by deterioration in the general condition of the patient and shock. Often, solar urticaria becomes chronic, in which the epidermis thickens and hyperpigmentation occurs. Usually, the first signs of the disease appear in early spring and continue until the end of autumn. A typical feature of solar urticaria is that redness and blistering occurs on exposed areas of the body and tends to occur in women.

In view of the fact that there are many types of urticaria, before treatment it is necessary to establish the causes that led to the development of the disease. In this case, the first therapeutic measure is protection from exposure to sunlight. Treatment of solar urticaria includes taking antiallergic drugs, which include kestin, erius, claritin. A feature of these drugs is that they have a long-term effect and do not inhibit the functions of the nervous system. Before using drugs, you should consult with your doctor. In addition, the following ointments are used in the treatment: Beloderm, Celeston, Betamethasone and Fluorocort. Scientific studies have proven the ineffectiveness of single-component therapy for the treatment of solar urticaria, it should be complex. In the event of a chronic form of the disease, acetylsalicylic acid is contraindicated, which can significantly worsen the patient's condition.

Questions and answers on the topic "Urticaria"

Question:Hello! I have had urticaria for 5 years already, I am allergic to antibiotics (pencelin, tetracycline). On the third day of admission, spots appear like burns, up to Quincke's edema. I turned to allergists, but there is no sense, no one can say anything, only diets, but I already follow them. Now I am preparing for the operation, the anesthesiologist does not give the go-ahead for the operation until there is a normal conclusion from the allergist.

Answer: Hello! I understand your situation, sometimes the cause of urticaria is not found even with the most thorough examination. For an anesthesiologist, the presence of urticaria cannot be a contraindication to surgery.

Question:Hello! My daughter is 2 years old, she has urticaria, and if suprastin is not given, swelling begins, if fish, seafood gets on the skin, if she touches her face with her hands after eating green peas. If one of the adults feeds her, and the child does not have contact with the above products, then nothing happens. Why is this happening? Will it go away with age if none of the relatives have such an allergy? Thank you!

Answer: Urticaria is an immediate allergic reaction. By itself, the reactivity of the organism does not disappear. This is achieved through hard work and trust in the doctor.

Question:I take Hilak Forte, I noticed the symptoms of Urticaria, should I continue taking the drug or should I immediately stop?

Answer: Hilak forte should be stopped immediately if symptoms of urticaria occur. Tell your doctor about the symptoms that appear and ask him to change Hilak forte to another medicine.

Question:Hello my baby is 6 months old. I was tormented by allergies twice, I had severe urticaria, the second time I was in the hospital for 4 days, I poured out, I was tested for dysbacteriosis. Conclusion: the presence of hemolytic Escherichia coli 10 ^ 8, the doctor prescribed us: azithromycin 0.125 1 time per day for three days, viferon suppositories 2 times a day for three days, and bifiform 3 times for 5 days. I would like to know your opinion about this treatment.

Answer: This treatment should help you. Azithromycin is well tolerated by children of the first year of life and should suppress the overgrowth of hemolytic bacillus in the intestines, while making room for the normal flora contained in Bifiform. Be sure to take a course of treatment.

Question:Cuticles itch and blisters appear.

Answer: These may be symptoms of allergic dermatitis or hives. Be sure to consult a dermatologist.

Question:Daughter, 9.5 months, takes Hilak forte and Linex to correct the intestinal microflora and skin rashes with its associated disorders. Under the eyes on the third day of admission, rashes appeared. Could this be an allergy? The rashes on the body have not changed. What are the signs of hives? How is it different from other types of allergies?

Answer: The main symptoms of hives are itchy, swollen rashes that appear on the skin after contact with the allergen. in your case, most likely it is not about an allergy to drugs, but about the appearance of new rashes against the background of atopic dermatitis. Are rashes under the eyes somehow different from rashes on the body? If you are sure that there is a connection between the rashes and taking Linex and Hilak, you will most likely need to stop using these drugs.

Question:Hello! Yesterday, after a daytime sleep, my daughter (2.3 years old) woke up with swollen and reddened eyelids, immediately gave her a quarter of suprastin and in the evening gave another quarter. Today, my daughter has red spots on her body, mainly on her legs, buttocks, under her arms and on her neck. The spots are blurry, bright red with pimples and itchy. Can you please tell me if this is an allergy or something else? After Easter, they were treated for food allergies, she was all in a rash, but the rash was small and not blurry, the eyelids were also a little swollen, but not so much. As of yesterday, all the symptoms of the past allergy were gone. Thanks a lot.

Answer: The symptoms you describe (in particular swelling of the eyelids, red, itchy spots with blurry edges) are characteristic of hives (this is a form of allergy). You did the right thing by giving the child suprastin, but if the rash does not go away within 2-3 days, be sure to show the child to an allergist.

Question:I have had hives for over 5 years. In the morning and in the evening it scatters all over the body. After taking "diazolin" or "zodak" disappears. My 10 year old son is similar. I took tests, was treated for lamblia, kept a diet - it's useless. Now in a position - is it not harmful to the fetus, is it possible to continue taking these drugs.

Answer: These drugs are contraindicated during pregnancy and you should stop taking them as soon as possible.

Question:My 2.4-year-old child was ill with pneumonia, after being discharged on the second day, his temperature rose and red spots appeared on his legs and back. They called an ambulance, the doctor diagnosed acute respiratory infections and urticaria, gave an injection of suprasin. The next day we invited the local pediatrician, she said that the temperature was due to urticaria. The temperature of 37.7 rises mainly in the afternoon and lasts until night. Is it so? Or all the same there is another infection causing temperature?

Answer: With urticaria, there may be a slight increase in body temperature. Does the child have other symptoms besides fever at the moment?

Question:Hello! I am 16 years old. A week ago, my two eyes and lips swelled up. The doctor said that it was hives and that he needed to go to the hospital for treatment. In the hospital, I was diagnosed with gastritis, and they said that the urticaria appeared because of it. Although I never complained of pain in the abdomen and any symptoms of gastritis. Whether the urticaria can be shown against a background of a gastritis which I do not feel?

Answer: Urticaria is an allergic disease, which, as a rule, has nothing to do with gastritis. On what basis were you diagnosed with gastritis, if nothing bothers you? What research did you do?

Question:Hello. I'm 52 years old. The climax has begun. Recently, rashes appeared on her body (she had never suffered from allergies and skin diseases before). The rash quickly spread throughout the body. Has addressed to the dermatologist. The doctor said it was hives. To stop the urticaria, the doctor prescribed prednisone intravenously for 5 days. I am confused by contraindications for the gastrointestinal tract and osteoporosis. I have severe heartburn, and it increases acidity. And a year ago I was diagnosed with osteoporosis (a decrease in bone tissue by 33%.) Please tell me, is it legal to prescribe this drug to me? Are there other means? Thank you.

Answer: If these are indeed symptoms of urticaria, then the appointment of prednisolone is justified. During the period of use of this drug, it is possible to use calcium preparations and gastroprotectors to reduce the negative impact on the gastrointestinal tract. Unfortunately, this medicine can only be replaced by your doctor. it is a hormonal drug and self-cancellation is not recommended in order to avoid the development of side effects.

Question:Child 1 year 10 months. A day ago, urticaria appeared, the manifestations were removed with diazolin and advantan, after 10 hours red plaques appeared again, only stronger. They called a doctor, injected suprastin, gave coal, everything went away, after another 6 hours - all over again, does this mean that the allergen is still entering the body or has it been excreted for so long? The plaques themselves do not disappear, they become larger and larger, diazolin does not help.

Answer: In general, judging by the description, it is not very similar to urticaria, it spontaneously passes quickly and does not add sleep. Be sure to show the baby to a good allergist, dermatologist, gastroenterologist, exclude all allergens from food and around (pillows, animals, carpets). It is advisable to pass both on the eggs of worms and on dysbacteriosis, all the drugs that you gave are too “cruel” for the child.

Question:My daughter often has red stripes on her skin, like from nettles. What to do? 19 years old. Suprastin helps, but not for long. The rash can appear at any time and lasts 10-20 minutes, then disappears and appears in another place after a while, and if combed, it spreads throughout the body like scratches and blisters. This goes on for a year.

Answer: Your daughter really can be assumed to have hives, which is an allergic disease. Be sure to show the child to an allergist and undergo treatment for urticaria under his guidance.

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Urticaria is divided into acute, lasting six weeks, and chronic, in which a skin rash appears repeatedly for more than six weeks.

Before proceeding with the treatment of urticaria, one should understand the causes of its occurrence, only then can one hope for a successful recovery. What causes hives?

Firstly, these are external irritants: insect bites, bees, bedbugs, nettle “burn”. Secondly, the cause may be foods, or rather their natural ingredients, or medicines. In this case, urticaria is nothing more than an allergic reaction to food or medication. The key to proper treatment will be the identification of the allergen and its elimination. This is usually not difficult if the urticaria is acute. And it is quite another matter if the urticaria is chronic. In chronic urticaria, you should undergo an examination, donate blood and other tests. Sometimes doctors may refer the patient for an X-ray.

Urticaria can also develop with the introduction of a foreign protein: therapeutic sera, milk, vaccines. The cause may be colitis, liver disease, kidney disease, diabetes, as well as emotional stress, sun or frost. As you can see, there are a lot of reasons for hives, so in any case, you should contact specialists and act on the basis of each specific case. However, there are still general recommendations, and we'll talk about them.

In acute urticaria caused by ingestion of food or drugs, first of all, laxatives that disinfect the intestines are prescribed.

For the treatment of acute urticaria, traditional medicine recommends preparing an infusion of peppermint. To do this, take 2 tablespoons of mint and pour 300 ml of boiling water. Insist for 1 hour. Take the infusion should be 50 ml, three times a day.

You can make an infusion using mistletoe. We take one teaspoon of leaves, pour a glass of cold water, insist 12 hours, filter. We drink the contents throughout the day.

Phyto baths are used to eliminate itching and relieve inflammation. For example, this: prepare an infusion of marjoram from 200 g of the plant and two liters of boiling water. The resulting infusion is poured into a bath for bathing.

Debilitating itching can be soothed by taking a hot bath with baking soda. One glass of soda dissolved in the bath is enough.

Burdock leaf compresses have a good calming effect.

Drug treatment of urticaria consists of taking antihistamines. In severe cases of urticaria (Quincke's edema), the attack is stopped by the introduction of adrenaline, as well as corticosteroid drugs.

Chronic urticaria often accompanies the development of chronic infections in the human body. Therefore, it is very important to identify, first of all, the cause of the disease and only then proceed to treatment. Usually, the treatment of chronic urticaria consists in the search for somatic diseases (diseases of the walls of the body cavity, but not of the internal organs), the manifestation of which may be urticaria. Therapeutic measures aimed at combating the underlying disease lead to a decrease in the symptoms of urticaria. However, the patient must understand that it is not so easy to identify the cause of urticaria, therefore, he must approach this issue with all responsibility. Only the joint work of the patient and the doctor can lead to the long-awaited result and defeat the disease.

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Features of the diagnosis of urticaria

Urticaria is a common skin disease characterized by the appearance of a rash similar to a nettle burn due to exposure to the body of any external factors - infectious, allergic, natural. The frequency of occurrence of this disease is quite high - about every third resident at least once in his life, but faced with a similar problem.

According to statistics, representatives of the weaker sex are more susceptible to urticaria than men. This is due to the structural features of the neuroendocrine system of different sexes.

Symptoms

The main symptom of this disease is the appearance of inflammation on the skin in the form of a rash, which is distinguished by an elevation above the surface of the skin and clearly defined boundaries. In most cases, rashes appear quite abruptly, they are accompanied by severe itching, and can vary in color from pink to red.

There are two types of this disease:

1. The chronic form is characterized by a protracted illness, frequent relapses, and the interval between inflammation of the skin and the state of rest is always different.
2. The acute form is characterized by a sharp manifestation of the disease, which usually lasts from several days to 10-14 days.

In most cases, hives are not contagious. But if its cause is the development of an infectious process in the body, which is easily transmitted from person to person, then in this case infection is possible. And she, in turn, can manifest itself as urticaria.

The disease in question requires the immediate establishment of the cause of its occurrence, as well as timely treatment. Otherwise, a chronic form of the disease or other complications may develop, such as:

• angioedema;
• anaphylactic shock;
• dizziness, weakness;
• infection of the body as a result of scratching the affected skin.

Causes of hives

Having recognized the symptoms of the disease, it is important to find out its cause - this will allow you to prescribe the necessary treatment. Urticaria disease can be caused by the following reasons:

• the spread of an infection that can be caused by bacteria or viruses;
• medicines - vitamins, analgesics and antibiotics;
• non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
• food products - eggs, dairy products, seafood, chocolate nuts, honey, smoked products;
• various weather factors - sunlight, heat or cold;
• physical causes - water, perspiration, friction;
• substances contained in the air - plant pollen, dust, fluff;
• bites of insects, jellyfish and other living beings;
• as a result of interaction with Nickel, resins, dyes;
• perfumes or cosmetics.

Allergic reactions in urticaria can have a cumulative effect, that is, when exposed to any factor, its manifestation is visible not immediately, but after some certain time. Therefore, the reason for its appearance should be sought in a wide time range, not limited to a few hours. Additional factors for the development of such a diagnosis:

• the presence of allergies;
• some diseases - chronic rhinitis;
• bronchial asthma; SARS;
• diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
• problems with the thyroid gland;
• change of climatic conditions when moving or vacationing;
• tumors of the internal organs.

The cumulative effect of urticaria may appear some time after contact with an irritating factor, so it is important to consider all possible causes of its manifestation.

Various forms of this disease

There is a classification of urticaria, which includes several varieties of this disease. Here is some of them.

This is the most common type. It is characterized by the rapid development of the disease and the same disappearance of rashes. Inflammation appears on the skin or mucous membranes, some of its foci can disappear within a day.

On average, the period of illness lasts up to 2 weeks. Often the cause of this disease is an allergic reaction.

Chronic recurrent urticaria

It is characterized by a protracted course of the disease, which can last for months or years. The periods of inflammation and remission can be of different duration. Skin rashes are often accompanied by the formation of papules, swelling, including angioedema, and inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. The chronic form may occur due to repeated exposure to allergens or due to the development of an advanced stage of the disease.

An allergic reaction and rashes in this case are caused by insect bites, which most often occurs in the summer. The rash on the body has the form of papules, hard to the touch, and is localized most often on the legs, but can be located throughout the body. In some cases, due to scratching damaged areas, there is a risk of infection.

Features of this type of disease:

Occurs with the greatest activity of sunlight in the warm season, as well as in regions with a warm climate. Irritation and rash on the skin disappear after limiting contact with the sun. Their localization - arms, shoulders, neck. As a rule, in the warm season, these are open areas of the body.

An additional factor may be the feature of fair skin, which is often prone to burns. A similar allergic reaction can occur after taking certain medicines.

Manifested as a result of exposure to cold. As symptoms, skin irritation, rashes, blisters, accompanied by unpleasant itching, may occur. In some cases, Quincke's edema may develop.

In addition to hypothermia, other factors can provoke the disease:

• cold water, food, ice cream;
• viral diseases, such as hepatitis;
• helminthic invasions;
• chronic infections;
• problems with the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.

Often, foci of irritation are localized on the face and hands, in some cases throughout the body. They can pass within a few hours after exposure to cold, and you should not refuse to see a doctor. If signs of urticaria accompany the patient for several days, a medical examination is required, since such a symptom may indicate a more serious disease of the body.

A fairly rare disease associated with exposure to the body of the allergen acetylcholine, which is in the human body. A similar reaction can occur in the following cases:

An additional factor may be a tendency to allergies.

The main symptoms are skin rashes in the form of small swollen blisters of a red hue, accompanied by severe itching. With relapses, a sharp increase in body temperature is possible. Treatment is carried out with specialized drugs, the choice of which differs from standard therapy.

There are other, less common types of urticaria:

1. Thermal - after prolonged contact with hot air or water - bath, hot bath;
2. Physical - with heavy physical exertion;
3. Aquagenic - in contact with water;
4. Contact - with direct skin contact with an external irritant.

Urticaria in children

Urticaria in childhood is most often the result of food allergies, although other causes are also possible. This is due to the fact that the protective functions of the body have not yet been fully developed in the child, immunity is being formed, and the body is gradually getting used to new products. Therefore, it is important to introduce the first complementary foods gradually, observing the time intervals between new products, as well as monitoring the body's reaction to them.

Symptoms of urticaria in children are not very different from those in adults - the same rashes of a reddish hue, accompanied by itching. Sometimes they can be more pronounced, and the disease can be more acute.

Urticaria can manifest itself in varying degrees of severity.

• Light degree characterized by a slight sensation of itching, the absence of edema, in general, the patient's condition is satisfactory.
• Average degree the severity of the disease is characterized by an increase in symptoms, including itching, which causes some discomfort to the patient. Puffiness, intoxication of the body, the development of complications are possible. In some cases, asthma attacks may occur, which is associated with difficulty breathing due to swelling of the larynx.
• Severe degree urticaria is accompanied by severe edema, the development of complications and damage to internal organs. A transition to the chronic stage of the disease is possible.

Treatment of this diagnosis in children necessarily requires the supervision of a doctor and strict adherence to his recommendations. Medical therapy is usually prescribed taking into account the following factors:

• the cause of the disease;
• patient's age;
• features of the body and the state of health of the child;
• the presence of concomitant diseases;
• the duration and nature of the course of the disease;
• the presence of allergic reactions to any drugs.

Timely diagnosis of such a disease

In most cases, the doctor establishes the primary diagnosis after an external examination of the patient. Symptoms of urticaria in the form of rashes and redness of the skin are always on the face. In addition to the examination, the doctor draws up a patient's medical history, in which it is important to take into account:

• the timing of the onset of symptoms of the disease;
• eating habits in recent times;
• possible interaction with chemicals;
• the presence of allergies;
• taking medications.

This information will be helpful in making an accurate diagnosis.

In addition to collecting an anamnesis and external examination - the prevalence of rashes and their nature, the doctor may prescribe the receipt of allergological tests, as well as scarification, application and provocative tests. They make it possible to identify the source of the disease. Additionally, the following tests may be prescribed:

• general and clinical blood tests;
• blood for syphilis and hepatitis;
• urine and stool tests.

As well as standard procedures - ECG, ultrasound, FGDS, fluorography.

Often, a comprehensive examination is carried out with the consultation of an immunologist, an allergist and a gastroenterologist.

When making a diagnosis, it is important to differentiate urticaria from diseases such as rubella, angioedema, allergic dermatitis, and other skin diseases.

How to treat hives

Before starting treatment for urticaria, it is important to determine the cause of its occurrence and establish an accurate diagnosis. The purpose of therapy will largely depend on the source of the disease.

General treatment

Treatment of urticaria should be aimed at eliminating the cause that causes it. For example:

• in the case of food allergies - nutrition correction;
• restriction or substitution of medicines;
• when exposed to environmental factors - their exclusion;
• avoid contact with harmful chemicals;
• treatment of the source of infection.

This will be the first step towards recovery.

• stuffy rooms with hot air should be avoided;
• while taking a shower, it is desirable to exclude scrubs, hard soaps, hard washcloths, in some cases it is possible to use moisturizers;
• tight clothing made of synthetic materials can cause discomfort, so it is better to replace it with loose-fitting clothes made of cotton fabrics;
• for bathing or washing hands, it is advisable to use warm water, not hot and not cold, contact with snow or ice should be avoided;
• sometimes recommend drinking plenty of water and following the prescribed diet.

In the treatment of urticaria, in addition to the main treatment and doctor's recommendations, some tips will be useful:

• it is worth giving up sunburn;
• avoid taking hot baths;
• in some cases, it is not recommended to visit the pool, baths, saunas;
• it is desirable to refuse the use of various cosmetics, including decorative cosmetics.

Use of medications

Before using any medicines, it is important to consult with your doctor or follow his recommendations. Their independent or unsystematic use in some cases can cause the opposite effect and increase the allergic reaction, which can aggravate the situation and delay recovery.

There are some common drugs for the treatment of this disease:

• antihistamines to eliminate the causes of urticaria associated with the action of histamine - "diphenhydramine", "suprastin", "daizolin" or "fenkarol" 1-2 tablets per day after meals;
• glucocorticoid or hormonal drugs that have a stronger effect - ointment or tablets "prednisolone", solution or tablets "dixamethasone", "diprospan";
• enterosorbents or laxatives to remove the source of allergy from the body - safe "activated carbon", "smecta" or "enterosgel".

In the presence of concomitant diseases, drugs for their treatment are selected on an individual basis and are prescribed in combination with the main therapy.

Urticaria treatment at home

Due to the fact that such a disease has a high probability of recurrence, and its neglected form can become chronic, you should not abuse self-treatment. All home methods for getting rid of hives are best discussed with your doctor.

An additional argument for consulting with a specialist will be the fact that folk remedies can be allergens, which will not have the best effect on the process of treating the disease.

Some home remedies include:

• the use of St. John's wort oil for external use;
• celery root in the form of freshly squeezed juice, one teaspoon is recommended to be consumed some time before meals;
• an infusion of dry walnut leaves for oral administration is also sometimes recommended in the treatment of urticaria;
• additional means for oral administration may be: an infusion of oak bark, a decoction of chamomile or string.

Diet for hives

Due to the fact that the diagnosis of urticaria is often due to an allergic reaction to some kind of irritant, diet is sometimes prescribed as a measure for its treatment. It is important to note that dietary nutrition should not be prescribed independently. Such uncontrolled nutrition can adversely affect the state of the human body or aggravate existing health problems. That is why the choice of diet should be agreed with the doctor.

There is a list of desirable products for consumption with a similar diagnosis:

• fermented milk products without additional fillers;
• various cereals, excluding semolina;
• butter or refined sunflower oil;
• grain bread;
• beef, turkey or rabbit meat;
• apples with yellow or green skin, pears, gooseberries;
• from vegetables - zucchini, pumpkin, green beans, fresh green peas.

A logical question arises, what can not be eaten with hives? If the cause of the diagnosis is a food allergy, then the diet may be beneficial, and if the rash is due to the development of an infection, then a severe dietary restriction can further weaken the body.

• fresh bread;
• eggs;
• fatty meats or fish;
• heavy broths from meat and fish;
• smoked products, sausages, semi-finished products;
• canned foods, pickles;
• spicy seasonings, sauces;
• mushrooms, nuts;
• citrus fruits, peaches, pineapples, apricots, kiwi, melon and watermelon;
• grapes, all red berries, blackcurrant;
• tomatoes, radishes, bell peppers, green onions;
• confectionery and sweet products, chocolate, ice cream, honey;
• from drinks refusal of alcohol, cocoa and black coffee.

It is desirable to adhere to such a diet for some time after recovery in order to prevent recurrence of the disease and its chronic nature.

As an approximate menu for such a diet, you can offer the following option:

• for breakfast - milk porridge with fruit, tea, a sandwich can be replaced with grain bread;
• for lunch, vegetable soup with the addition of separately boiled meat is suitable to exclude fatty broth from the diet. As a side dish, boiled, stewed, or steamed meat or fish of low-fat varieties, meatballs or meatballs with a side dish are suitable;
• for dinner, you can choose a potato casserole, meat or fish, with boiled potatoes, cottage cheese or cottage cheese casserole with some fruits, such as pears or baked apples;
• for an afternoon snack or snacks between main meals, you can choose kefir, cottage cheese, an apple with a green or yellow peel.

In most patients, this disease is treatable and does not leave noticeable marks on the skin. In severe or advanced cases, there is a high risk of complications or a chronic course of the disease. Therefore, timely diagnosis, refusal of self-treatment and implementation of the doctor's recommendations makes it possible for a successful outcome of the disease.

Urticaria is a heterogeneous disease in terms of causal factors, the main clinical manifestation of which is a skin rash in the form of widespread or limited blisters that disappear spontaneously or under the influence of appropriate treatment.

Pathology occurs on average in 20% of the population, in 25% of which it is chronic. Among children, the disease is less common than in adults, and in women more often than men. The maximum frequency of cases falls on 20 - 40 years of age. What are the causes of hives?

Classification and etiopathogenesis

The mechanisms of development of various forms are very complex and still not well understood.

How long does the illness last? In most clinical classifications, in accordance with the duration of the pathological process, the following types of urticaria are distinguished:

1. Acute, which can last from a few minutes to 6 weeks. It occurs much more frequently and is diagnosed on average in 75% of all cases of urticaria.
2. Chronic. Its duration is more than 6 weeks. The chronic form with relapses occurs in 25%. This form of the disease in the natural course can last, basically, up to 10 years (in 20% of patients).

Among children under 2 years of age, as a rule, only its acute form develops, after 2 years and up to 12 years - acute and chronic forms, but with a predominance of the first, after 12 years, urticaria with a chronic course is more common. Chronic urticaria is most typical for people 20 - 40 years of age.

A regularity was noted - if the chronic process lasts for 3 months, then half of these people then get sick for at least 3 years, and with a preliminary duration of more than six months, 40% of patients suffer from its symptoms for another 10 years.

Remission in chronic urticaria can occur spontaneously, regardless of how this pathology is treated. In half of the patients, it occurs within the first half of the year from the onset of the disease, in 20% - within 3 years, in another 20% - 5 years, and in 2% - 25 years. In addition, at least 1 relapse develops in every 2nd patient suffering from a chronic course with spontaneous remission.

In addition, depending on the prevalence in the body, the disease is divided into options:

• localized - on a certain limited area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe body;
• (spread of elements of the rash throughout the body), which is a life-threatening condition, especially when localized in the area of ​​​​organs of vital importance.

According to the cause and mechanism of formation of the reaction, the following forms of urticaria are distinguished:

• allergic, caused by various immunological (cytotoxic, reaginic, immunocomplex) mechanisms of hypersensitivity (hypersensitivity);
• non-allergic.

The reasons

The causes of hives are numerous. The most frequent of them are:

1. Inhalation allergens, for example, household and industrial aerosols, epidermal antigens, plant pollen.
2. Foods that promote the release of histamine contained in the body, or contain histamine themselves. These are eggs, cow's milk, pineapple, citrus fruits, honey, confectionery products with food additives in the form of salicylates and dyes, smoked products, many spices and mustard, fish products and seafood, tomatoes, legumes, eggplant, cheeses, extractives, alcoholic beverages. and others. In addition, the acute form of urticaria in persons suffering from hay fever can develop as a result of the use of those foods that contain antigens that cross with plant pollen. So, if there is a tendency to allergic reactions to pollen produced during tree flowering, urticaria may develop after eating nuts, berries and / or stone fruits, etc., sensitization to birch pollen can cause urticaria after eating carrots or apples, especially red ones. .
3. Viruses, bacteria and fungi.
4. External, internal and injectable drugs. Urticaria is very common after antibiotics, sulfonamides, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory drugs (salicylates, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), after taking anticonvulsants, vitamins, especially B vitamins and ascorbic acid, the use of antiseptics, iodine-containing drugs, including radiopaque agents , drugs used for arterial hypertension, coronary heart disease and heart failure (captopril, enalapril, hinapril, prestarium, enam, etc.), insulin, blood and its protein substitutes, dental implants, etc. Very rarely, but all- there is a reaction even to antihistamines and glucocorticosteroids.
5. Physical impact factors - pressure, friction, cold or elevated ambient temperature, vibration, sunlight, heavy physical exertion, bathing.
6. Poison wasps, bees, hornets, mosquitoes, bug bites, fleas and even grasshoppers.
7. Neuro-psychic load under the influence of psychogenic factors.
8. Tumor processes, thyroiditis, dysfunction of the thyroid gland and other endocrine organs, autoimmune diseases of the connective tissue, diseases of the digestive tract, etc.

The causes of acute and chronic forms of the disease are different:

Among all chronic forms of urticaria (with an unknown cause), it occurs on average in 75-80%, in 15% - caused by a physical factor, in 5% - due to other factors, including allergic ones.

Development mechanisms

Under the influence of one or more causative factors, both immunological and non-immunological in nature, skin mast cells are activated with the destruction of their granules (degranulation), as a result of which mediators (biologically active substances) are released from them. They cause in the skin symptoms characteristic of acute local inflammatory processes.

In this case, the main biologically active substances are histamine and prostaglandins. Under the influence of histamine, local expansion of small vessels of the skin occurs with an increase in their permeability. As a result, there is limited redness of the skin (erythematous spot) and swelling of the hypodermal or submucosal layer with the formation of a blister or papule. In addition to hyperemia and edema, these mediators cause itching, sometimes significant.

Prostaglandin D 2 and histamine are also activators of C-fibers secreting neuropeptides. The latter cause additional vasodilation and degranulation processes in mast cells, which determines the duration (more than 12 hours) of rashes.

Most often, acute urticaria is associated with allergic, that is, with immunological activation reactions of mast cells, on the membrane surface of which there are highly specific receptors for antibodies of immunoglobulin “E” (IgE), as well as receptors for cytokines, receptors C3A, C5A, etc.

Allergic reactions are mediated mainly by the participation of immunoglobulin "E". Characteristic of urticaria, regardless of the cause, are increased permeability of microcirculatory vessels and the development of acute edema in the tissues located around these vessels, with various manifestations of an allergic reaction.

In cases of the chronic form of the disease, immunological mechanisms are not excluded, for example, in the presence of an autoimmune pathology (systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatism, etc.). At the same time, in a chronic process, activation of mast cells occurs more often through non-specific (non-immunological) stimuli (emotional stress, the influence of alcoholic beverages, the premenstrual period, physical factors, etc.).

Rash with hives

In the last 10 years, the concept of the autoimmune nature of the chronic course of the pathological process has prevailed, according to which autoimmune urticaria is caused by the presence of autoantibodies to IgE receptors with high affinity and antibodies directed against IgE. This mechanism occurs in 30-50% of patients suffering from chronic urticaria.

Autoantibodies bind to the IgE receptor, resulting in the activation of basophils or mast cells, which leads to histamine-like reactions with corresponding symptoms. This principle formed the basis of a relatively new theory, according to which in some patients the chronic form is an autoimmune disease.

Other mediators, such as bradykinin, prostaglandins, neuropeptides, leukotrienes, and platelet activating factor, may also be involved in maintaining the chronic course. Mast cells in remission are restored to normal.

Is hives contagious and can you get rid of it?

Based on the description of the causes and mechanisms of the development of pathology, it becomes clear that it has nothing to do with infectious diseases.

What does urticaria look like and is it dangerous?

Clinical picture

The acute form is characterized by fairly typical manifestations. The onset of the disease is sudden. The main symptoms of urticaria are rashes, accompanied by severe itching and a burning sensation, sometimes a feeling of "bursting". In the chronic course of the disease, itching can occur at certain times of the day without the appearance of morphological elements.

As a rule, the morphological element is a rounded blister (less often a papule), protruding above the skin surface and having clearly demarcated contours. It resembles an insect bite or a stinging nettle and is a limited swelling of the dermal papillary layer, which is a few millimeters in diameter, but elements with a diameter of several centimeters can often be. With the dermographic variant of the pathology, the blister takes the form of a traumatic physical object (tourniquet, spatula).

The elements have a pale pink or red color, in the peripheral sections hyperemia is more pronounced. When pressed, they become pale in color, no pressure marks remain.

A rash with urticaria can be localized on any part of the skin - on the scalp, on the body, on the arms and legs, including the areas of the palms and soles of the feet. On the face and neck, the density of mast cells is very high, so usually the number of elements here is greater than in other parts of the body. Often they also occur on the mucous membranes, especially on the lips, soft palate and in the larynx.

The duration of the episode is determined from the moment the first element appears and the last element disappears. In most cases, the duration of the existence of blisters does not exceed 24 hours, during which they quickly appear, increase in size, and can merge with each other, acquiring a bizarre shape.

A small blister can thus turn into a giant element with an area of ​​up to several tens of centimeters. Their merging with each other is accompanied by a deterioration in the general condition - general weakness, joint pain, headache, chills (“nettle fever”) appear, body temperature rises to 38 ° and above.

Urticaria symptoms

Then, also, for 1 day, the color intensity and clarity of the boundaries of the rashes decreases, after which they disappear without a trace - without the formation of secondary elements (pigmentation and peeling).

Against the background of the above symptoms, acute urticaria may be accompanied by cramping abdominal pain, intermittent pain in small joints, as well as in the elbow and knee joints (arthralgia), petechial hemorrhages and nosebleeds. Very rarely, and mostly in children, symptoms of meningism may develop.

Histologically, a classic wheal is an edema of the middle and upper dermis, as well as dilated venules and lymphatic vessels located in the upper dermis. In addition, an infiltrate around small vessels is determined in the skin, which consists of mast cells, blood cells (neutrophils and eosinophils) and T-lymphocytes.

In the case of edema spreading to the deep dermal layers, subcutaneous tissue and mucous membranes with similar histological changes (described above), the disease can occur in the form of a "giant urticaria", or acute limited angioedema angioedema.

angioedema angioedema

It accompanies 50% of cases of chronic urticaria, can occur alone or be combined with localized manifestations of the acute form.

Quincke's edema is characterized by an asymmetric location of pronounced painless edema on the face (in the area of ​​the cheeks, lips, eyelids, auricle), which leads to its disfigurement, or on the external genital organs. The skin in the affected area becomes white or (rarely) pinkish in color. Angioedema disappears after a few hours or, at most, after three days.

In clinical practice, hereditary angioedema is especially distinguished due to a quantitative or functional deficiency of the C 1 inhibitor, which is a serum protein synthesized in the liver. With its deficiency, plasmin is activated, which is the starting factor for the development of edema. Pathology is hereditary. Edema is localized, as a rule, in the mucous membrane of the larynx and is provoked by psycho-emotional stress or microtrauma. Men are most often affected. The principles of treatment for this condition differ from those of other forms of therapy.

Quincke's edema

Why is urticaria dangerous?

The consequences of urticaria, as a rule, do not pose a danger to health and life. If a slight limited swelling of the mucous membranes develops, swelling of the tongue, conjunctivitis and rhinitis, cough, swallowing disorder, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain are possible. Edema of the mucous membrane of the larynx, especially in children under 1.5 - 2 years old, is dangerous for the development of stenosis of the larynx and respiratory failure in the form of suffocation.

At the same time, emergency care for urticaria and its nature are not determined by the causes that caused the reaction of the body, although they must be taken into account, but by the localization, severity and prevalence of edema and urticarial (blistering) rashes.

25% of cases of Quincke's edema develop on the neck in the larynx, resulting in sudden swelling of the subcutaneous fat, muscles and fascia of the neck. This is manifested by hoarseness of voice, difficulty in breathing and shortness of breath, rapid intermittent breathing, barking cough, cyanosis of the face against the background of its pallor, anxious and excited state of the patient.

If the degree of damage is mild to moderate, this condition (without medical assistance) can last from 1 hour to a day. But, at the same time, after a decrease in the severity of symptoms, soreness in the throat, hoarseness of voice and coughing, difficulty breathing, especially during physical exertion (even minor ones), persist for some time, and scattered dry rales are auscultated over the lungs. If the edema spreads to the trachea and bronchial tree, a bronchospastic syndrome may develop with a fatal outcome.

With the localization of edema in the area of ​​the mucous membranes of the digestive tract, nausea, vomiting appear, abdominal pain is possible, which at first is local and then diffuse. Against this background, false symptoms of intestinal obstruction or peritonitis may develop, while elements of rashes are present in only 30% of patients. This is the cause of a significant difficulty in diagnosis and, in some cases, a reason for useless surgical intervention.

The development of Quincke's edema in the head area may be the reason for the involvement of the meninges in the process, especially in children, with the development of convulsive syndrome and meningeal symptoms.

Rarely, morphological elements can be papules or urticarial rash (papular urticaria) is transformed into them. Papules are usually found in women and children with a persistent chronic course and can persist for months. They are localized mainly on the limbs at the fold, have sizes up to 6 mm and are richly red in color with a brownish tinge.

Papular elements rise above the skin surface and have a domed or flat shape. They are characterized by greater density and resistance than blisters, as well as the absence of a tendency to group and merge. The rash is accompanied by severe, sometimes unbearable itching. After the resolution of the elements, pigmentation and peeling often remain, and sometimes scars formed as a result of a purulent infection during scratching.

Diagnosis of the disease

Diagnostics consists of several conditionally sequential stages.

I stage

It consists in a careful collection of an anamnesis of the disease and finding out if the patient has concomitant somatic pathology. Maximum attention is paid to questions about the presence of a tendency to allergic reactions.

At the same time, the duration of the disease itself, the nature of the elements, their localization and prevalence, the frequency of occurrence and the duration of evolution, the dependence of the appearance on the season and time of day, the appearance of angioedema and subjective sensations in the area of ​​​​rashes are necessarily specified. It is very important to establish the presence of predisposition to allergies of family members and a possible connection with a certain causative factor.

II stage

Includes an external examination of the patient, which determines the nature of the rash and / or angioedema, localization, the presence of pigmentation or peeling in the area of ​​the rash. It is necessary to assess the general condition of the patient and conduct a preliminary diagnosis of possible somatic diseases (in the absence of anamnesis data on their presence), which may be the cause of urticaria or its provoking factors. In addition, at this stage, the nature of skin dermographism is also determined, but after a 2-day break in taking antihistamines or a week (at least) - immunosuppressants.

Stage III

Evaluation of the clinical activity of the disease in accordance with a specially designed 3-level point scale, which takes into account the number of blisters and the degree of itching intensity.

IV stage

Conducting a scream test with non-infectious allergens (skin pricking at the sites of application of various pollen, food, epidermal, household and contact allergens) and intra-skin tests with infectious (mycotic and bacterial) allergens. Tests are also carried out to diagnose other forms of the disease:

• Duncan test (cold using ice cubes);
• skin thermal - by means of a water compress with a temperature of 25 °;
• tourniquet test;
• mechanical, or stroke test with a spatula;
• testing with suspension or application of the load;
• bicycle ergometric test - to determine the reaction to the general physical activity;
• phototesting.

Stage V

Includes laboratory diagnostic and instrumental studies. A detailed examination is determined by the need to identify diseases that provoke urticaria, especially chronic, or pathologies in which it is a symptom, for example, diseases of the digestive system, helminthiases, hepatitis, malignant neoplasms, lymphoma, systemic autoimmune connective tissue pathology, etc.

Therefore, the main laboratory and instrumental studies are clinical and biochemical (glucose, total protein, cholesterol, creatinine, urea, liver tests) blood tests, clinical urinalysis, RW, examination for hepatitis B, C and HIV infection, determination of total IgE in blood serum by enzyme immunoassay, ultrasound of the abdominal organs, ECG, esophagogastroduodenoscopy, chest fluorography and, if indicated, radiography of the paranasal sinuses.

Further examination is carried out depending on the results of the preliminary examination. For example, consultations of specialists of a narrow profile (otolaryngologist, gastroenterologist, etc.) are prescribed, if it is assumed that there is an autoimmune form of urticaria - intradermal tests using autologous serum, if thyroiditis is suspected - determining the content of antibodies to thyroid tissue in the blood, etc. d.

Treatment of urticaria and prevention of recurrence

Treatment of patients with an acute course or relapse of the disease is aimed at the most rapid complete relief of all clinical manifestations, especially in cases of development of symptoms that threaten the patient's life. In addition, the goal of treatment is to achieve a state of the longest possible clinical remission in the chronic form.

Urticaria treatment at home and diet

Perhaps in cases of mild disease. In the absence of the effect of outpatient treatment, with moderate and severe course, as well as with angioedema in the vital areas (tongue, larynx), intestines, with abdominal syndrome, dehydration, in combination with anaphylactic reactions and in any conditions that pose a threat to life the patient is treated in a hospital, preferably an allergological one, and sometimes even in the intensive care unit. The duration of treatment in the allergology department is on average about 20 days.

Non-drug therapy provides for frequent wet cleaning and ventilation of the living space, exclusion of contact (if possible) with known or suspected causal and provoking factors, which are often detergents and other household chemicals, epidermis and pet hair, food.

What can you eat?

Nutrition should exclude foods containing histamine or contributing to its release in the body (citrus fruits, nuts, alcoholic beverages, extractives, etc.). In some cases, 2 - 3-day fasting is necessary, followed by a gradual transition to a hypoallergenic diet. A diet for hives is, as a rule, table number 7.

At the same time, it is recommended to use the so-called elimination therapy (to remove allergens from the body, etc.), which, in addition to nutrition, includes the use of diuretics, laxatives, and enterosorbents (Polysorb). On an outpatient basis, dysbacteriosis is also treated, chronic sources of infection in the body are sanitized, and, if indicated, specific immunotherapy.

Medical therapy

The choice of the volume of specific drug therapy is determined by the severity of the patient's condition. In all cases, the basic drugs for urticaria are first and second generation antihistamines. The first generation (classic) drugs mainly include Clemastine, or Tavegil, and Chloropyramine, or Suprastin in tablets for oral administration or in solution for intramuscular and intravenous, more often drip, administration.

However, the classic first generation antihistamines have a number of side effects in the form of drowsiness, slowing down of the reflex reaction, general depression of the central nervous system, dizziness, impaired coordination, blurred vision and double vision, dry mucous membranes and many others.

In this regard, the drugs of choice are second-generation antihistamines. Most of them are devoid of many side effects and can be used in high dosages. These include Loratadine, Fexofenadine, Cetirizine and Levocetirizine, Desloratadine, Ebastin.

Allergic urticaria is the third (in terms of the number of cases) disease in the rank of allergic ailments.

Allergic urticaria is the third (in terms of the number of cases) disease in the rank of allergic ailments. The first two places are occupied by bronchial asthma and drug allergy.

What does hives look like? What are its symptoms? A sick person is covered with a rash, the main constituent element of which is a blister - swelling with clearly defined edges. The diameter and nature of blisters with urticaria can be different: from almost colorless, indistinguishable rashes on the skin, to very large edema that rise above the surface of the skin. The name of the disease is not given by chance: the skin of a sick person looks like he got burned by the leaves and stems of nettles, making his way through its thickets. A photo.

So, what are the external signs of hives?

Characteristic signs of urticaria

• The presence of a skin rash consisting of spots, swelling and blisters. Localization of rashes on the body can be different, depending on the type of urticaria.
• The skin rash may be accompanied by itching. Sometimes itching is absent.
• The rash is usually painless (unlike angioedema).
• Usually after a few hours the rash disappears without a trace and the skin becomes clear. If, after the disappearance of rashes on the body, the skin begins to peel off or pigment spots remain on it, it is worth suggesting the presence of another disease similar to urticaria (for example, urticarial vasculitis).
• The disease is often accompanied by Quincke's edema (angioedema). According to statistics, it occurs in 40% of patients. A photo.

Is hives contagious? Among the inhabitants there is a strong belief that urticaria is contagious. Many patients are convinced that they pose a threat to others because they can infect them with their illness. Such a fear has not the slightest foundation. Urticaria (by itself) is not contagious and does not spread from person to person.

But if some infectious disease caused urticaria, then it is it that can become contagious. If a concomitant infectious disease is detected, the task is to get rid of it in the first place.

Mechanism of occurrence of allergic urticaria

Many patients ask themselves: “Where does urticaria come from? What is the cause of the disease?

The cause of the development of allergic urticaria is an immediate type of hypersensitivity resulting from an inadequate response of the body to the intake of certain substances. These substances can enter the body from the outside, and may be the result of the vital activity of microbes and bacteria.

In response, the body triggers the mechanism of edema formation. It happens like this: in excess, the production of histamine and other biologically active substances that provoke inflammation begins. This process leads to increased permeability of the capillary walls. As a result, fluid from the blood flows into nearby tissues. This is how an allergic reaction develops: swelling on the skin. It is necessary to reduce the concentration of harmful substances in the body.

Causes of acute urticaria

Very often, acute urticaria, the causes of which will be listed below, is allergic and occurs due to the increased sensitivity of the body to an allergen that has entered the body from the outside. The immune mechanism associated with the production of class E antibodies, through which most episodes of the acute stage of the disease pass, allows them to be classified as allergic. So what are the most common hives allergens?

• Medications (antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants and many others).
• Food (fish, milk, nuts, eggs, seafood).
• Insect venom (entering the body through insect bites)
• Various substances and household chemicals that come into direct contact with the skin, resulting in an allergic reaction (pet saliva, latex gloves, indoor plants, detergents, washing powder, etc.).

First aid for angioedema

If a patient (especially a child) has hives, swelling of the upper respiratory tract, and you observe symptoms of suffocation in him, call an ambulance immediately.

In anticipation of the "ambulance" the patient is given first aid: you must immediately give any antihistamine from the home medicine cabinet and drink valerian in order to even out breathing. Help the patient relieve the panic attack that occurs during suffocation. Breathing should be calm, shallow and even. If the patient begins to panic and breathe deeply, this can lead to increased swelling.

A small child must be calmed, picked up and talked to him in a calm voice. You can take the baby out into the cold. In case of suffocation, mandatory hospitalization is necessary.

Disease prevalence

Urticaria is a very common disease. How many patients are there worldwide? Almost a quarter of the world's population (15-25%) has an episode of this disease at least once in their life. Of these, 60% of cases are acute urticaria. If a single rash on the body quickly and spontaneously disappeared, patients, as a rule, do not seek medical help.

Urticaria acute and chronic

Urticaria disease is divided into acute and chronic, depending on the duration of its course.

Acute urticaria lasts less than 6 weeks. Chronic urticaria lasts more than 6 weeks.

According to statistics, the acute form of the disease is observed in childhood and adolescence, and the chronic form is more typical for adults. Middle-aged women (20-40 years old) are more susceptible to this disease than men. The chronic form of the disease accounts for up to 30% of the total number of episodes.

Sometimes the disease is genetically determined (hereditary) and has been observed for several generations in the same family.

Patients who have been diagnosed with a chronic disease doomedly believe that they will never be able to get rid of it. This opinion is erroneous. How long does chronic urticaria treatment last? In most cases, recovery occurs within a few months.

How dangerous is hives?

The idea of ​​excessive danger of this disease is exaggerated.

• The disease is not fatal and cannot lead to the death of the patient, except in extremely rare cases when anaphylactic shock and swelling of the throat (urticaria, Quincke's edema) develops. Urticaria itself is not dangerous.
• Urticaria, symptoms and accompanying angioedema do not lead to damage and disruption of the internal organs. Such consequences can lead to a concomitant disease that caused the urticaria itself.
• How long does the illness last? Most often, the disease goes away by itself after 6 weeks (if it is acute) or after a few months (if it is chronic). Only in 10-20% of episodes the chronic form of the disease lasts from 1 to 5 years. In less than 10% of cases, the disease lasts more than 20 years.

Causes of non-allergic urticaria

If urticaria occurs as a result of exposure to the skin of external physical factors, we are talking about the so-called physical (mechanical) urticaria. It can be caused by the following reasons:

• Mechanical irritation of the skin by pressure, friction or compression.
• Exposure to sunlight.
• Physical activity, staying in an unventilated room.
• Impact of vibration.
• Direct skin contact with drugs, food, insect bites.
• The impact of heat.
• The impact of cold.
• The impact of water.

Types of physical urticaria

Depending on what physical factor provoked the development of the disease, urticaria is distinguished:

• dermographic;
• solar;
• cholinergic;
• vibration;
• papular;
• thermal;
• cold;
• aquatic.

Diagnosis of the disease

Before starting treatment, a general practitioner or an allergist-immunologist should identify the causes of urticaria. Making a diagnosis of an acute disease is quite simple. To determine the type of mechanical urticaria, provocative tests are performed:

• Phototesting - irradiation of the skin with ultraviolet rays with different wavelengths (sunlight).
• Cold test - Duncan test with a piece of ice (cold temperature). The reaction of the skin to cold exposure is tested.
• Water compress with a temperature of 25 degrees (aquagenic).
• Mechanical effect on the skin (dermographic to.).
• Hot bath, exercise test, bicycle ergometry (cholinergic and thermal to.).
• Suspended load test (slow k.).

For food and drug urticaria, the specialist conducts provocative tests with allergens (presumably causing an allergic reaction) and observes what reaction will follow.

When diagnosing idiopathic (with an unknown cause) urticaria lasting more than 6 weeks, the doctor must exclude the presence of systemic diseases. To do this, the patient is given a skin biopsy (to exclude the diagnosis of urticarial vasculitis). How many tests should be done during the examination? The patient submits:

• general urine analysis,
• blood test (determine the ESR reaction);
• blood chemistry;
• rheumatic tests;
• bacteriological tests;
• Ultrasound of the abdominal organs.

Treatment of the disease

1. Acute urticaria: its treatment includes the use of first-generation antihistamines: suprastin and tavegil.
2. For the treatment of the chronic form of the disease use:

• cetirizine;
• cyproheptadine;
• fexofenadine;
• cimetidine, ranitidine;
• loratadine.

If you see a doctor in a timely manner, the symptoms of acute urticaria quickly disappear (itching disappears, the rash on the skin disappears). Improvement in well-being in 70% of patients is observed after 72 hours. In the chronic course of the disease, 30% of patients experience improvement.

1. Appointment of physiotherapeutic procedures: UVR, faradic and static currents, wet wraps, therapeutic baths.
2. The use of ointments (to relieve itching and rashes on the skin): prednisolone, Deperzolon, Lorinden C, Flucinar and Fluorocort.
3. The appointment of a hypoallergenic diet is carried out only under the supervision of a doctor (individually for each patient).

hypoallergenic diet

It is necessary to find out which food allergies caused the development of the disease. To do this, exclude one product from the patient's diet (within two months) and observe what reaction of the body will follow. If during this time the patient feels relieved, then the foods excluded from the diet are carefully, in small portions, introduced into the daily diet. If the allergy recurs (as evidenced by the reaction of the body, expressed in the form of itching and rashes on the skin), this means that this product must be permanently excluded from the diet.

Is it possible to get rid of hives? Forecast.

What should not be done to a patient who has symptoms of urticaria? First of all, let the disease take its course and self-medicate. At the first signs of skin rashes and the presence of itching, you should immediately contact a specialist: an allergist-immunologist or a general practitioner.

• In acute urticaria, during which an anaphylactic reaction occurred, immediate assistance is necessary. Delay can be fatal.
• Bathing in cold water can be fatal for patients with cold urticaria: death can occur as a result of a systemic lesion (the body's reaction to hypothermia is a drop in blood pressure and suffocation).
• In the case of recurrence of urticaria over 6 months, it is likely that it will be observed for another 10 years in 40% of patients.
• Chronic urticaria is characterized by an undulating course with no progressive deterioration.
• How many patients were able to get rid of urticaria? According to statistics, 50% of patients with recurrent chronic urticaria experience spontaneous (spontaneous) remission.

If you follow a special hypoallergenic diet that excludes the use of foods containing allergens and if all the doctor's instructions are followed, you can get rid of urticaria forever.

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The article is presented for informational purposes. The appointment of treatment should be made only by a doctor!

Urticaria is an allergic disease, a vivid manifestation of which are blisters on the skin and mucous membranes. They are somewhat similar to a nettle burn, which is why the disease got its name.

More than 20% of the population at least once, but faced with its manifestations. What is it - urticaria? This disease can be acute or chronic. The child is more susceptible to acute forms, the chronic form is more common in adults.

Women make up about 30% of all patients. Possible cause: hormonal changes in the body during pregnancy, childbirth, menopause. Half of the cases proceed without complications. Almost 40% is accompanied by angioedema. The disease in adults is more difficult to treat than in children.

For the most part, urticaria proceeds without complications; however, there are cases accompanied by Quincke's edema.

The biologically active substance histamine is the main culprit in the development of allergic reactions, being responsible for what causes hives. Contact with an allergen causes a powerful dose of this substance to be released into the bloodstream.

The further picture depends on the degree of sensitivity of the body to the allergen. He can react almost instantly. Possible reaction due to repeated contact with the irritant.

With a high concentration of antibodies, symptoms of pathological processes may appear. The permeability of the capillary walls increases, fluid from the vessels enters the dermis, and blisters appear on the skin.

Symptoms

The main symptoms for which urticaria can be suspected are rash and itching.

• Blisters of pink, red shades, protrude above the surface of the skin. Sizes from a few millimeters to ten centimeters. They disappear when pressed. The rash can completely go away on its own in a day, leaving no traces of pigmentation.
• The itching that accompanies the rash is worse in the evening. Both the blisters themselves and unaffected areas of the skin can itch.
• Fever, nausea, vomiting, palpitations, increased blood pressure join when the rash captures a large area of ​​the skin. The number of blisters (20-50) along with the characteristics of itching (mild, moderate, severe) determine the severity of the patient's condition.

The reasons

There are many reasons for this disease. Often, doctors cannot find out for years what caused the development of pathological symptoms. What causes hives? Over the years of research, the most likely factors causing this condition have been identified.

In many skin conditions, the rash develops gradually. Urticaria is distinguished by the following circumstance: most of the blisters appear in the first hour. This is explained simply: the concentration of histamine is very high.

Subsequently, some of the rashes join the existing blisters. Blisters disappear without a trace in the first hours after the appearance. But sometimes it happens the other way around - a second wave of blisters rolls. The blisters are painful and cause intense itching.

Could it be that urticaria was mistaken for a manifestation of another disease? Swollen, reddened skin around the blisters should convince the doctor: the diagnosis is correct. The situation when the area of ​​the lesion is small, the patient's condition does not change. If the blisters continue to pour, spreading throughout the body, there may be a rise in temperature, an increase in weakness, and headaches.

Types of urticaria

Depending on the duration of the course of allergic reactions, urticaria is:

• acute;
• chronic;
• episodic.

Having found out what causes urticaria, the following forms can be distinguished:

• physical;
• medicinal;
• contact;
• idiopathic.

Physical urticaria has several types, depending on the cause that caused it:

• cold weather
• sunny;
• aquatic;
• provoked by physical activity;
• allergy on a nervous basis;
• vibration.

Allergies can affect a person of any age category. Consider the cases due to which urticaria appears in adults.

Cold urticaria

From the name it becomes clear the reason for its occurrence - cold, low temperatures. Frost, swimming in reservoirs, ice holes, pools with low water temperature can cause allergic shock, accompanied by loss of consciousness.

The skin acquires a bright red hue, the number of blisters occupies a significant area. If a limited area of ​​​​the body is exposed to cold, then all manifestations tend to pass on their own after the person warms up well.

In cases where the process affects the internal systems (central nervous, cardiovascular, respiratory, gastrointestinal tract), then serious complications join the rash. They are manifested by headache, shortness of breath, pressure drop, nausea, vomiting. Patients with these symptoms are more likely than others to go into anaphylactic shock, which develops immediately. This situation requires urgent medical attention.

solar urticaria

Solar Allergy is the reaction of the body after contact of open areas of the body with the sun's rays. The rash covers only those fragments of the skin that have been exposed to open solar radiation. Blondes with fair skin are most often affected.

Aquagenic urticaria

Often there is an unforeseen reaction of the skin to contact with water, sweat, tears. Water is not the direct cause of pathological processes. The reason for this is the substances dissolved in it. Allergy starts immediately. All its manifestations usually disappear in half an hour. Sometimes this takes several days. Question: "Is it possible to swim with hives?" requires caution. The best advice is to take a bath with boiled water for a while.

Often the cause of the disease is physical activity, aggravated by food intake.

Urticaria due to stress

The symptom complex caused by this form often affects women and adolescents. They react more emotionally to stressful situations. The risk group includes people who are characterized by an unstable psyche, who have signs of emotional exhaustion, who are prone to manifestations of irritability, anger, and fear.

drug urticaria

Every year, medicinal substances increase the percentage of allergic reactions. From what does it arise? Its manifestations can be observed after a few minutes of the drug getting into the blood. A certain percentage of allergy cases are noted a couple of weeks after the end of the course of treatment. Most often, the body responds with a pathological reaction to antibiotics, NPS, antidepressants, and local anesthesia.

Contact

It develops in cases of direct interaction with the allergen. The most common things act as an irritant: wool, dust, household chemicals, latex. For the disappearance of symptoms, it is enough to simply eliminate the provoking factor.

idiopathic

This form of pathology with an unidentified cause, occurring in 40% of all cases. The disease is chronic, does not go away for several years. Skin rashes last for more than a month. The disease is permanent or recurrent in nature (exacerbation phases alternate with persistent remissions).

Complications

Often, areas of the skin affected by a rash become a favorable environment for bacterial infections. Furunculosis, various purulent inflammations join the existing rashes.

Dangerous conditions that can cause death:

• Anaphylactic shock. It has a rapid development, in a matter of seconds, the strongest edema of all body tissues develops, a strong drop in pressure. Of particular danger is edema of the larynx, which entails obstruction of the airways. Asphyxiation can cause rapid death. This condition requires emergency hospitalization.
• Quincke's edema - suddenly developing edema of the subcutaneous adipose tissue and mucous membranes. Lips, tongue, palate, tonsils are especially often affected. Damage to the larynx gives symptoms of "barking cough", the voice becomes hoarse. Failure to provide timely assistance can lead the patient to serious consequences, up to death. The most dangerous swelling of the face due to the possible involvement of the meninges in the process.

Such complications, even before the arrival of doctors, require the provision of first aid to the victim:

• Stop taking the medicine immediately (drug allergy).
• Give a laxative, gastric lavage (food allergy).
• Pull out the sting of the insect to stop the flow of poison (stings of bees, wasps, hornets).
• Free the skin from the irritant (contact urticaria).

After the measures taken to alleviate the patient's condition, it remains to wait for an ambulance. Doctors will assess the severity of the condition, determine the subsequent treatment regimen. Calling an ambulance is recommended if the rash first appeared in a child. This will help to avoid possible complications, to understand the reasons that caused the allergy (this is urticaria, or symptoms of another disease).