Urticaria – Causes, Symptoms and Treatment!

Urticaria – Causes, Symptoms and Treatments that few know. In addition,  urticaria is a non-contagious skin reaction that is characterized by the appearance of red spots, which can swell and itch a lot. Some people may experience burning and stinging injuries.

It is a common skin disease : 15% to 20% of people have had an episode of urticaria in their lifetime. Those who have a history of  respiratory and skin allergy are more likely to have hives .

Lesions caused by urticaria may or may not be localized, and are classified, according to the time of their evolution, as acute urticaria (less than six weeks) or chronic urticaria (more than six weeks).

Acute urticaria can be caused by food or medication intolerances, while the causes of chronic urticaria are much more difficult to define and can cause some consequences for the patient, such as fatigue, insomnia , social isolation, emotional and sexual difficulties.

Causes of Urticaria:  Urticaria is an allergic reaction that manifests itself on the skin  through redness, local itching and, in some cases, small pinkish bumps with white edges may appear. The most common causes of hives are:

• Direct contact with harmful substances such as toxic products or cleaning products.
• Contact with toxic or poisonous plants.
• Medication use.
• Emotional system shaken (stress).
• Sharp variations in temperature.
• Foods.

Identifying which product generates the allergic reaction is critical to successful treatment. Taking an allergy test is one of the ways to find out what substances the individual is allergic to and it is recommended to stay away from them.

Risk Factors:  You are more likely to get hives if:

• You’ve had hives before.
• Have you had or have other allergic reactions.
• You have any other problems that could be related to hives , such as lupus, lymphoma, or a thyroid condition .
• You have a family member with a history of hives or other common allergic reactions.

Symptoms  of Urticaria:  The skin lesions of Urticaria are very itchy, reddish, raised, have different sizes and shapes, but tend to be circular. Lesions may be ring-shaped, with a lighter center and raised, reddened edges.

The itching can be so intense that it prevents the patient from sleeping. In some cases, the spots can be extensive and coalesce, forming large plaques all over the body. When you press the lesion with your finger, it tends to lighten, but quickly takes on a reddish color again.

New lesions appear throughout the day, while older ones disappear, creating a transitory and migratory pattern. Each individual lesion usually disappears in a maximum of 24 to 36 hours. Sometimes the same lesion appears in the morning and goes away at night.

The most affected body site can vary over the days. For example, on the first day, the abdomen may be the site with the most injuries, the next day the back and the third day the limbs. In the most severe cases, the patient can have numerous injuries all over the body at once.

Urticaria Treatment:  Treatment may not be necessary if the hives are mild, as in these cases, it may go away on its own. However, if necessary, the doctor will prescribe some specific medications to treat hives . These include antihistamines, corticosteroids, and other drugs.

If your reaction is severe, particularly if the swelling is in your throat , you may need an emergency injection of epinephrine (adrenaline) or injectable corticosteroids. An angioedema in the oropharynx (throat) can block the airway, making it difficult to breathe.

Prevention:  To prevent urticaria , you need to follow some measures:

• The main one is to avoid triggers of known allergic reactions.
• If you suspect that a food is causing you symptoms similar to an allergic reaction , be aware and, if necessary, cut it out of your diet.