Urticaria is a disease in which pink-red blisters and itching appear on the skin. The external manifestations of the disease are very similar to the reaction to a nettle burn, hence the name. If we talk about the prevalence of the disease, it can be noted that adults and children equally often suffer from it. The rash appears quickly and disappears just as quickly. However, there is such a thing as recurrent urticaria. In this case, the rash occurs constantly and leads to serious consequences. A person comes to complete exhaustion due to eternal itching and insomnia.
Causes of the disease
Urticaria (ICD 10) is an allergic reaction that appears suddenly, in the form of blisters of various sizes and shapes. This disease spreads very quickly. External manifestations are associated with the fact that vascular permeability increases and edema develops.
In adults, the main cause of urticaria is heredity associated with various allergic reactions. Among the factors that provoke the onset of the disease are:
- drug intolerance, more commontotal antibiotics, serums, non-narcotic analgesics;
- hormonal problems, diseases of the endocrine system, stress, hidden infections;
- insect bites, mostly mosquitoes and bees;
- intoxication of the body;
- Food allergies like eggs, seafood, citrus fruits, etc.;
- allergic to household products or dust;
- reaction to blood transfusion, organ transplant operation.
Classification of urticaria
Like any other disease, urticaria is divided into several types. The most popular classification denotes a division depending on the clinical picture. In addition, according to the pathogenetic form, the following types of urticaria are distinguished:
- Allergic. From the name it is clear that it manifests itself with the help of allergens.
- Pseudoallergic. This is a little more complicated, because the immune system is not involved in the formation of mediators. There are several subspecies:
- Urticaria due to diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, as well as various infections such as hepatitis, typhoid, malaria, etc.;
- The body's response to long-term medication.
According to the clinical manifestations, there are three forms of the disease:
- Acute urticaria. The most common case. Patient has general malaise, blisters and fever.
- Recurrent urticaria. Represents the next phase of the acute form. The rash affects the skin for a long timeperiod - then disappears, then reappears.
- Persistent papular (chronic urticaria). This type of disease is accompanied by a constant rash. Moreover, it tends to affect new areas of the skin.
Symptoms of hives in children
In a child, the signs of the disease are slightly different from those observed in an adult. How to determine the onset of the disease? If we talk about children, then in this case, urticaria manifests itself as an itch. If the child's skin begins to itch, this is the first sign of a rash. Later, blisters appear on different parts of the skin.
In childhood, urticaria occurs very often, so parents should carefully monitor any deviations in the well-being of babies. The rash is often accompanied by swelling of the eyes, hands, lips. Puffiness may last from two hours to several weeks.
If among the symptoms of urticaria in children there are severe swelling of the cheeks, genitals, tongue, larynx, eyes or lips, then Quincke's edema is most likely to occur. This is probably the most unpleasant variant of the course of the disease. In this case, you need to call an ambulance and calm the child.
Symptomatics in adults
Like children, adults first get overwhelming itching. The problem is that due to their busyness, people often do not pay attention to places where something itches. Only when blisters appear on areas of the skin, the person will become worried. If swelling occurs and develops, the blisters may change color from red to grayish.white.
Symptoms of hives in adults are quite pronounced. Blisters are oval or round in shape. Often they grow together, forming large plaques. It is worth noting that formations can appear on any part of the body, but blisters in the genital area and around the eyes are considered the most dangerous.
In such cases, the inflammation reaches a large size, but quickly subsides. Other symptoms of hives in adults include fever and loss of appetite.
Stages of disease progression
Most often, urticaria is formed in the form of an allergy to something. Based on this fact, the following stages of the disease are distinguished:
- Immunological. First, the body comes into contact with the stimulus. The allergens then spread through the bloodstream and the body builds up antibodies.
- Patochemical. At this stage, mediators begin to appear. If an allergy occurs for the first time, they are only formed, and if a relapse occurs, then ready-made ones are released.
- Pathophysiological. Here the body begins to respond to mediators. After their blood levels rise, the first clinical signs appear in the form of blisters.
Disease diagnosis
Unlike many other diseases, hives on the body are difficult to confuse with anything else. Therefore, usually the diagnosis of the disease does not cause any difficulties. If, nevertheless, the doctor doubts, then he differentiates with other ailments.
In addition, experts quite often recommend undergoing an examination to determine the cause of the disease, as well as its severity. Further treatment depends on the results of the doctor's research. Recurrent urticaria is one of the most dangerous forms, so when you find the first signs, you should immediately make an appointment with a specialist.
Traditional treatment of disease
Passing the examination prescribed by the doctor, the patient finds out the cause of the allergy. In most cases, this is some kind of food product. The first step is to eliminate it from the diet. If the allergy is caused by medications, it is forbidden to take these drugs for the rest of your life in order to avoid recurrent urticaria. In addition, it is recommended to stay away from dust and pet hair.
When talking about drugs, doctors often prescribe:
- antihistamines like Loratadine, Zodak or Zirtek;
- histaglobulin - it must be administered subcutaneously, gradually increasing the dose;
- sodium thiosulfate.
- "Ketotifen" for recurrent urticaria.
In each case, drugs are prescribed differently, it depends on many factors. But almost always, doctors recommend a diet with restriction of junk food. You should also stop smoking and drinking alcohol.
Treatment with folk remedies
It is worth noting that with the help of such measuresit is impossible to completely get rid of urticaria. Folk remedies are an additional way to fight the disease. With their help, you can also strengthen the immune system.
Traditional medicine recommends the following:
- After the blisters go away, a rash will remain on the skin. It is removed by wiping with a decoction of chamomile, nettle and oak root.
- This method looks like the prevention of various diseases, you need to eat a teaspoon of honey every morning on an empty stomach.
- Celery juice is perfect for strengthening immunity and fighting hives. It should be drunk four times a day, one teaspoon.
- With the same regularity, you can use yarrow tincture. Alcohol is sometimes added to it in a ratio of 1 to 10, and 30 drops are taken a day.
- Grated potatoes are used to fight rashes. It must be applied under the film and kept for about half an hour.
- Taking baths with the addition of celandine, valerian, St. John's wort, oregano has a good effect on he alth.
- If the patient is not allergic to coriander, then you need to use this spice in cooking, as it fights the symptoms of the disease.
Folk treatment for urticaria is quite effective. However, we must not forget that in any case, you need to see a doctor, and then act according to his recommendations.
Consequences of urticaria
In both children and adults, the most dangerous form of the disease is Quincke's edema. The patient develops swelling of the larynx. The thing isthat it happens quickly and can lead to suffocation.
If a person has severe nausea, loses consciousness, feels short of breath, you should immediately call an ambulance. At this time, it is necessary to provide first aid to the patient, which consists in the administration of antihistamines intramuscularly. People who scratch heavily on areas of skin affected by hives often suffer from a fungal infection. In addition, pustules and boils often appear.
Prevention of urticaria
Urticaria (ICD 10) manifests itself most often in the form of red blisters that itch unbearably. If this appears, do not hesitate, you should immediately consult a doctor. However, in order to prevent this, the following rules must be observed:
- try to avoid all contact with allergens and irritants;
- follow a hypoallergenic diet;
- take care of your he alth, regularly undergo a medical examination;
- strengthen immunity, completely abandon bad habits.
Since urticaria is not uncommon, preventive measures cannot be ignored. Unfortunately, many people neglect their he alth, which causes huge problems. The acute form of the disease can lead to serious consequences. Therefore, in order not to treat the disease later, it is not necessary to allow its development.
