What is acute urticaria?

Acute urticaria is an allergic reaction of the body, manifested by rashes on the skin and the appearance of blisters.

Etiology of the disease

Acute hives can develop when exposed to external factors, as well as the pathological effects of internal, endogenous causes. The appearance of an allergic reaction contributes to long-term insolation, exposure to chemicals, medications, etc. Endogenous cause may be pathology of the nervous system or some other disease. Hives in their pathogenesis have many common characteristics that do not depend on the cause. An allergic reaction is triggered after exposure to an allergen, to which an inflammatory mediator is released . This in turn leads to increased vascular permeability and the formation of blisters and edema.

Alien protein is also a powerful allergen, causing the formation of antibodies in the body. The reaction can develop into pathogenic microorganisms, toxins that are formed as a result of diseases.

Clinical manifestations of the disease

Usually, the body's allergic reaction develops very quickly. After contact with the allergen, dense blisters appear on the skin. They can merge. At the same time there is a painful itch of the skin. The size of the rashes varies, from a millimeter to several centimeters. If you take an antihistamine in time, these manifestations quickly disappear and leave no traces. General condition may worsen, fever may appear, joint pain. Usually, acute urticaria develops due to the use of allergenic products or after taking medications.

As one of the varieties of urticaria separately isolated acute limited edema Quincke, it is also called a giant urticaria. This form of the disease manifests itself in the acute development of a clearly delineated edema of the facial tissues, sexual organs (skin, subcutaneous tissue or mucous membrane). Skin covers in the area of edema become densified and have a whitish-pale color. There are usually no other sensations. Edema after contact with the allergen keeps the swelling from a few hours to one or two days, and then it falls off. There are cases of simultaneous appearance of limited edema on the face and usual urticaria. Dangerous for life there is a state where acute edema occurs in the airway. This can lead to stenosis and difficulty breathing.

Also, acute urticaria can occur when exposed to sunlight. It is called photodermatosis or solar urticaria. Particularly predisposed to it are people with liver disease or metabolic disorders. More common in women. Rashes on the skin appear after prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, especially in the summer. Seldom they can be combined with deterioration of state of health and disturbance of breath.

Diagnosis of the disease

The classic manifestation of urticaria does not cause difficulties in diagnosing. The disease is differentiated with various dermatoses.

Treatment of urticaria

With the diagnosis of "acute urticaria" treatment is carried out in an outpatient setting. Hospitalization is performed only with the development of complications and breathing disorders. When taking medication or food products that caused an allergic reaction, the appointment of a laxative and sorbent is indicated. Simultaneously prescribe antihistamines, calcium preparations for parenteral administration (calcium chloride or calcium gluconate). If a severe allergic reaction is observed with the development of laryngeal stenosis, adrenaline, hormonal preparations are indicated. To remove the itching of the skin, hormonal ointments or creams containing an antihistamine component are also used.