Recurrent urticaria: causes, symptoms and treatment methods

Urticaria is a disease in which pink-red blisters appear on the skin and itching appears. External manifestations of the disease are very similar to the response to a nettle burn, hence the name. If we talk about the prevalence of the disease, it can be noted that they suffer equally often adults and children. The rash appears quickly and disappears as quickly. However, there is such a thing as recurrent urticaria. In this case the rash arises constantly and leads to serious consequences. A person comes to complete exhaustion due to an eternal itch and insomnia.

Causes of the disease

Hives (ICD 10) - an allergic reaction that appears suddenly, in the form of blisters of different sizes and shapes. This disease spreads very quickly. External manifestations are associated with the fact that vascular permeability increases and puffiness develops.

In adults, the main cause of hives is heredity, associated with various allergic reactions. Among the factors that trigger the onset of the disease, there are:

• Intolerance of medications, most often antibiotics, serums, non-narcotic analgesics;
• Hormonal problems, endocrine system diseases, stresses, hidden infections;
• Insect bites, in most cases mosquitoes and bees;
• Intoxication of the body;
• Food allergy, for example, eggs, seafood, citrus fruits, etc .;
• Allergy to household products or dust;
• Reaction to blood transfusion, organ transplant surgery.

Classification of urticaria

Like any other disease, hives are divided into several types. The most popular classification means separation depending on the clinical picture. In addition, the pathogenetic form of the following types of urticaria:

1. Allergic. From the name it is clear what is manifested with the help of allergens.
2. Pseudoallergic. It's a bit more complicated here, because the immune system does not participate in the formation of mediators. There are several subspecies:

• Urticaria, which occurs on the basis of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, as well as various infections, such as hepatitis, typhoid fever, malaria, etc .;
• The response of the body to prolonged intake of medications.

According to the manifestation of the clinic, there are three forms of the disease:

1. Acute hives. The most common case. The patient has general malaise, blisters appear and the temperature rises.
2. Recurrent urticaria. It represents the next phase of the acute form. The rash affects the skin for a long period - it disappears, it reappears.
3. Persistent papular (chronic urticaria). This type of disease is accompanied by a permanent rash. And it tends to hit new areas of the skin.

Symptoms of urticaria in children

The child's symptoms 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 there is hives as an itch. If a child begins to itch skin, this is the first sign of the appearance of the 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 edema of the eyes, hands, lips. Puffiness can last from two hours to several weeks.

If among the symptoms of urticaria in children there are strong swelling of the cheeks, genitals, tongue, larynx, eyes or lips, then Quincke's edema is highly likely. 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.

Symptomatic in adults

Like children, adults first have an irresistible itch. The problem is that in connection with their employment, people often do not pay attention to places where something itches. Only when there are blisters on the skin, a person will become worried. If there are and develop edema, blisters can change color from red to grayish-white.

Symptoms of urticaria in adults are quite vivid. Blisters are oval or round in shape. Often they coalesce with each other, forming large plaques. It is worth noting that the formation can appear on any part of the body, but the most dangerous are blisters in the genital area and around the eyes.

In such cases the inflammation reaches a large size, but it quickly falls off. Also among the symptoms of urticaria in adults are increased fever and loss of appetite.

Disease development stages

Most often hives form in the form of allergies to anything. Based on this fact, the following stages of the disease are distinguished:

1. Immunological. First, the body contacts the stimulus. Then allergens are spread with blood flow, and the body accumulates antibodies.
2. Patho-chemical. The mediators begin to appear at this stage. If an allergy occurs for the first time, they only form, and if a relapse occurs, then ready-made ones stand out.
3. Pathophysiological. Here the body begins to react to mediators. After their blood level rises, the first clinical signs appear in the form of blisters.

Diagnosis of the disease

Unlike many other diseases, hives on the body are difficult to confuse with anything else. Therefore, the diagnosis of the disease usually causes no difficulties. If the doctor still doubts, then he differentiates with other ailments.

In addition, specialists often recommend to undergo a survey 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, therefore, if the first signs are found, you should immediately register for an appointment with a specialist.

Traditional treatment of the disease

Passing the examination, appointed by the doctor, the patient learns the cause of the allergy. In most cases, this is some kind of food product. First of all, it is necessary to exclude it from the diet. If the allergy is caused by medication, it is forbidden to take these drugs until the end of life to avoid recurrent urticaria. In addition, it is recommended to stay away from the dust and hair of pets.

If we talk about drugs, doctors often appoint:

• Antihistamine medicines, such as "Loratadin", "Zodak" or "Zirtek";
• Histaglobulin - it must be administered subcutaneously, gradually increasing the dose;
• Sodium thiosulfate.
• "Ketotifen" with recurrent urticaria.

In each case, the drugs are written different, it depends on many factors. But almost always doctors recommend a diet with restriction of harmful food. You also need to stop smoking and drinking alcoholic beverages.

Treatment with folk remedies

It is worth noting that with the help of such measures it is impossible to completely get rid of hives. Folk remedies are an additional way to fight the disease. With their help, you can also strengthen immunity.

Traditional medicine recommends the following:

• After the blisters have left, there will be a rash on the skin. It is cleaned by wiping with a decoction of chamomile, nettle and oak root.
• This method looks like the prevention of various diseases, it is necessary on an empty stomach every morning to eat a teaspoon of honey.
• To strengthen immunity and combat urticaria, celery juice is perfect. It should be drunk four times a day for one teaspoonful.
• With the same regularity, you can use yarrow tincture. It is sometimes added to alcohol in the ratio of 1 to 10, and take 30 drops per day.
• To combat the rash, use grated potatoes. It must be applied under the film and held for about half an hour.
• A good effect on health has the adoption of baths with the addition of celandine, valerian, St. John's wort, oregano.
• If the patient is not allergic to coriander, then you should use this spice in cooking, as it perfectly fights the symptoms of the disease.

Folk treatment of urticaria is quite effective. However, we must not forget that in any case, you need to see a doctor, and then proceed 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 puffiness of the larynx. The fact is that this happens swiftly and can lead to suffocation.

If a person experiences severe nausea, consciousness is lost, there is a shortage of air, an ambulance should be called immediately. At this time, it is necessary to provide first aid to the patient, which consists in administering antihistamines intramuscularly. People who strongly comb the skin areas affected by urticaria, often suffer from a fungal infection. In addition, pustules and furuncles often appear.

Prophylaxis of urticaria

Urticaria (ICD 10) is manifested most often in the form of red blisters, which are unbearably itchy. If this occurs, do not hesitate, you should immediately go to a doctor. However, in order to prevent this, the following rules must be observed:

• Try to avoid any contact with allergens and irritants;
• Observe a hypoallergenic diet;
• Follow the health, regularly undergo a medical examination;
• Strengthen immunity, completely abandon bad habits.

Since hives are not uncommon, prevention measures can not be ignored. Unfortunately, many people neglect their health, which causes huge problems. The acute form of the disease can lead to serious consequences. Therefore, in order not to treat the disease afterwards, one should not allow its development.