Skin disease urticaria: photos, symptoms, treatment

Urticaria is a skin disease associated with the appearance of an allergic rash. In shape and size, it resembles the blisters that appear after being struck by nettles, hence the name. In the acute form, rashes appear literally in the first minutes after interaction with the provoking factor, they pass quickly - within a few hours. If the effect of the allergen is not eliminated, a recurrent form of the disease occurs. A single episode does not require treatment, but chronic urticaria will not go away without treatment. If you experience symptoms of hives, you should definitely consult a doctor.

At CELT you can get advice from a gastroenterologist.

• Initial consultation – 3,500
• Repeated consultation – 2,300

Make an appointment

Mechanism of disease development

Urticaria differs from other dermatological and allergic diseases in the presence of a clear and understandable relationship between exposure to an allergen and the appearance of rashes. Most often, patients can independently name the provoking agent - symptoms appear within a few minutes after contact with the provoking agent. If the causes of urticaria are unknown, then first of all it is recommended to pay attention to contact with animals and diet.

An immediate allergic reaction develops as follows: an allergen enters the body, mast cells are immediately sent to it - they cause the release of immunoglobulin E. When a mast cell is in conditions of increased immunoglobulin content, it produces histamines - substances that increase vascular permeability and cause swelling . This is a protective mechanism that allows the body to block part of the allergen, and remove part as quickly as possible.

The provoking factor may not be a substance, but a physical effect - heat or cold, stress. Allergies can also be caused by the presence of a source of infection in the human body.

In clinical diagnosis, acute and chronic forms of urticaria differ in duration - if episodes of urticaria are present for 6 weeks and are interspersed with periods of remission, then a diagnosis of chronic urticaria is made.

Methods of treatment with traditional methods

The following methods will help relieve itching, soothe the skin and speed up the healing of blisters.

Honey and horseradish:

1. Mix honey and horseradish juice in a 1:1 ratio.
2. Take the resulting mixture 1 tsp. 3 times a day.

Mint tincture:

1. Pour 20 grams of boiling water over it. mint, leave for several hours.
2. Strain and take 3 tbsp. l. in a day.

Mint decoction for lotions:

1. Pour 30 gr. fresh nettle leaves 2 tbsp. water.
2. Bring to a boil and simmer over low heat for 2 minutes.
3. Leave for one hour, strain.
4. Soak gauze in the infusion and apply to the sore spot several times a day.

hives in a child photo

Causes of development and forms of urticaria

The main cause of hives is contact with an allergen. There are many factors that can provoke a pathological response of the immune system (this is an allergy). Most often, urticaria is caused by contact with such groups of substances as:

• Medicines, especially antibiotics and hormonal drugs.
• Dust.
• Animal fur or feathers.
• Plant pollen, poplar fluff.
• Substances that get under the skin from insect bites.
• Compounds that parasites secrete are most often caused by Giardia.
• Some substances contained in food products.

For the development of acute urticaria, short-term contact with the allergen is sufficient. The chronic form is characterized by frequent relapses and is associated with prolonged proximity to the substance causing the pathological reaction. Therefore, at the first manifestations of an allergy, it makes sense to conduct special tests, find out what exactly caused the rash, and exclude any contact with this substance.

In the chronic form, the rash and inflammation are less pronounced. After an exacerbation, the symptoms disappear for a while. Recurrent urticaria may be associated with the presence of a source of infection in the body and requires consultation with a specialist.

What else should you know about hives?

• If you've experienced a rash like this, know that you're not alone. About one in four people in the world have experienced something like this at least once.
• Women and children are most susceptible to such allergic reactions.
• 50% of cases of urticaria are accompanied by swelling of the face and larynx (Quincke's edema).

Non-food allergens that most often cause allergic rashes:

• insect bites;
• latex;
• mold;
• helminths and parasites;
• pollen of various plants;
• chemicals (detergents, pesticides);
• Sun rays;
• vibration;
• pet epithelium;
• dust;
• dust mite;
• feathers.

First, for diagnosis, an elimination diet is prescribed - a diet from which certain foods are alternately excluded. The person suffering from skin rashes is then sent for a blood test. If a lot of IgE to specific allergens is detected in it, this confirms the body’s increased reaction to them. But in a third of patients it is still not possible to determine the allergen even after several laboratory tests.

Treatment of urticaria with an unknown allergen is mainly symptomatic. Consultations with other specialized specialists are scheduled.

Symptoms of urticaria

The disease has specific manifestations, so there are usually no problems with making a diagnosis.

Specific symptoms of allergic urticaria:

• Skin rashes resembling blisters from contact with nettles.
• When pressed, the blisters are white and lose color.
• Itching that leads to scratching.
• The skin at the site of the lesion is swollen and red.
• The rash can appear on any part of the body in its acute form; sometimes urticaria even affects the mucous membranes.
• In chronic pathology, the rash often appears on the bends of the arms and legs.

With direct contact with the allergen, rashes appear quickly, within a few minutes, and disappear without a trace in a maximum of 2 days. The rash subsides within 3-6 hours.

If complications develop, skin symptoms may be accompanied by swelling of the larynx, fever, weakness, headache, nausea, and difficulty breathing.

If life-threatening complications occur, you must take any antihistamine and call a doctor. If allergy symptoms only include hives, then emergency care is not required. In this case, it is worth making an appointment with an allergist to establish a diagnosis and avoid chronicity of the disease.

Disease prevention methods

There are no special preventive measures. However, you can minimize the risk of developing the disease by following these recommendations:

• control the child’s diet;
• exclude contacts with potential allergens - food, volatile, contact;
• have an antihistamine in your home medicine cabinet;
• buy your child loose clothes made from natural fabrics;
• do not provoke stress in the child;
• do not trigger chronic diseases.

Sources:

L.V. Luss. Causes and treatment of urticaria in children // Medical Council, 2015, No. 14

I.I. Balabolkin. Urticaria in children: clinical and pathogenetic variants, diagnosis and treatment // Russian Pediatric Journal, 2022, 20(2)

L.P. Sizyakina, A.A. Lebedenko, C.B. Maltsev, A.N. Posevina, L.A. Averkin. Urticaria in children: a modern view of the problem // Medical Bulletin of the South of Russia, Reviews, 2015

The information in this article is provided for reference purposes and does not replace advice from a qualified professional. Don't self-medicate! At the first signs of illness, you should consult a doctor.

Diagnosis of urticaria

Diagnosis begins with an examination by a medical specialist and most often ends at the stage of collecting an anamnesis. Typical urticaria is associated with the presence of a specific allergen. Most patients had atopic reactions in childhood. Visual assessment of the skin helps to make a final diagnosis - urticaria can be easily distinguished from other skin diseases.

If there are symptoms, but the patient finds it difficult to name the reason for the development of the pathological reaction, a number of specific tests are performed. Laboratory tests include determination of general and specific immunoglobulin E, as well as a general blood test. Special provocative tests allow you to identify a fairly specific allergy provocateur. If the cause is not established, further diagnosis involves testing for parasitic infestations.

How to treat urticaria using traditional methods

The question that concerns all patients who develop urticaria is what to do and how to treat it? Whatever the cause of urticaria, treatment must begin with eliminating the cause of its occurrence. A mild form of the disease can be cured using traditional methods.

Advantages of traditional methods:

• Treatment is carried out at home;
• Natural ingredients are used;
• There is no need for large financial expenses.

Disadvantages of traditional methods of treating urticaria :

• A lot of time is spent on preparing products;
• It is dangerous to treat a severe disease with such drugs.

Our doctors

Orlova Tatyana Vladimirovna

Doctor - allergist-immunologist, pulmonologist, doctor of the highest category

Experience 38 years

Make an appointment

Shundeva Oksana Veniaminovna

Allergist, doctor of the highest category

Experience 39 years

Make an appointment

Polina Vasilyeva

dermatologist

Children under two years of age usually suffer only from the acute form. Between the ages of 2 and 12 years, urticaria sometimes becomes chronic, but more often it still occurs in an acute form. In adolescence, the chronic form takes precedence over the acute form.

Treatment of the disease

If the allergen is known, then the main recommendation is to avoid, if possible, contact with the substance that provokes hives. That is why accurate diagnosis is important - it is necessary to understand which group of chemical compounds can lead to the development of urticaria. It often happens that the same substance is found in different foods or in different pharmaceuticals. And an allergy to pets can affect only one breed or spread to almost all pets, from cats to hamsters.

Therapy is needed if the disease has become a recurrent form - this happens if it is impossible to stop contact with the provocateur. In a situation where test results show the presence of an infectious focus, it is necessary to determine the infectious disease. It is likely that the urticaria will go away after healing.

If a patient is diagnosed with an allergy to dust, food or plants, then lifestyle changes are required: frequent wet cleaning, following a proper diet and avoiding walking during the flowering period of plants. Concomitant treatment is designed to alleviate symptoms when they reappear.

Are there any complications?

Acute urticaria in children can have a dangerous complication - Quincke's edema (giant urticaria, angioedema). It consists of swelling of the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract. The child has coughing attacks and has difficulty breathing. Very young children may experience swelling of the gastrointestinal mucosa (the reaction to this is vomiting). In severe cases, the membranes of the brain and nervous system are affected. Any of these conditions is very dangerous and can be fatal. Therefore, it is very important not to delay visiting a doctor if there are signs of illness.

Important! Many parents do not know what to do with Quincke's edema. You should immediately give your child an antihistamine (any one from your home medicine cabinet) and call emergency medical help.

First aid for urticaria in a child

The primary task is to identify and eliminate the provoking factor. The main problem during this period is not rashes, but itchy skin. When providing first aid, it is important to eliminate it if possible - gently trim the nails, put on protective gloves for infants, apply an available non-hormonal anti-allergic cream (for sunburn, mosquito bites, etc.) to the site of the rash. If there is no cream, you can use a cool compress.

All this is done before medical assistance, which should be provided immediately. In case of development of edema and severe symptoms, it is necessary to call an emergency team.

Important

Urticaria may be accompanied by Quincke's edema (angioedema, old name - angioedema). Angioedema is swelling that involves the deep layers of the skin in the pathological process. According to statistics, in 50% of cases, urticaria occurs in isolation, 40% of patients with urticaria develop Quincke's edema, and 10% of patients develop angioedema without urticaria. Some patients are sincerely mistaken in believing that Quincke's edema is only swelling of the face or throat.
Angioedema does often occur in the face, but this does not mean that it cannot appear on the hands, feet and other parts of the body. Prevalence of urticaria. Urticaria is a very common condition, affecting 15-25% of people worldwide (occurring at least 1 episode during their lifetime), with acute urticaria accounting for more than 60% of all cases.