Urticaria

Urticaria General Information

Urticaria (commonly referred to as hives) is a common skin medical condition, in which the patient presents wheals (very itchy welts). Such lesions are small, they can be red or pale, and they are generally described as “small swellings”. Both children and / or adults may develop this medical condition. However, hives are known to be much more common in the case of patients who are suffering from allergic reactions or by various types of sensitivities (including sensitivity to cold and / or heat).

This medical disorder is triggered by various allergens (including latex, inhaled substances, insect bites, foods, drugs, and so on). Some patients have developed this medical condition in response to viral infection, increased exercise, stress, heat, cold, exposure to direct sunlight, and so on. Scientists agree that about 15% of all individuals will develop this clinical condition at some point. Most patients (about 80% of them) who are suffering from the chronic form of this medical disorder are known to be idiopathic. In other words, physicians were not able to find the cause of the disorder (the presence of any type of allergic reaction).

The presence of Urticaria may be accompanied by another medical condition: Angioedema. This disorder involves swelling that affects the inner layers of the individual’s skin. Most patients develop Angioedema on their feet and / or hands, but also on their mucous membranes (some of them present swelling of the eyes, swelling of the lips, and so on). This disorder is much more severe, as it can cause severe complications (including breathing problems).

Urticaria Symptoms

The most common symptoms that the presence of Urticaria triggers include redness, swelling, but also itching. It is a known fact that hives “enjoy” to relocate. Therefore, although the affected area will probably clear up in 24 hours (if an adequate therapy is applied), you are bound to find new hives on other areas of your skin. This pattern will continue as long as you expose yourself to the allergen that causes this medical condition. However, although the common hives are known to suddenly flare up, itch, trigger swelling, and disappear (this can last from minutes to several hours) and then reappear in another skin area, this pattern may go on and on for weeks, and sometimes months. Although most episodes of Urticaria do not last longer than six weeks, hives that exceed this time period are called “chronic”.

Hives present themselves as itchy, red, raised skin areas that may appear in various sizes and / or shapes (their diameter can vary from a few millimeters to several centimeters). In some cases, hives form large patches or rings. They can affect any part of the human body, including the legs, arms and trunk. The lesions have a disturbing tendency of sizing in a rapid manner. As the visual symptoms of this medical condition can disappear just as fast as they have appeared, it is always helpful to photograph your outburst. In this way, when you visit your personal health care provider, even if the lesions have disappeared, you are able to show him the pattern of your Urticaria. If you are not able to show your physician clear evidence of your lesions (this may help him understand what type of allergen has caused your clinical condition), your doctor will have to base his diagnosis only on your testimony.

Urticaria Treatment

The goal of the therapy that is employed in most cases of common Urticaria is to effectively ease the patient’s symptoms. Physicians widely recommend the intake of oral antihistamines which effectively oppose the actions of the histamine that has been secreted by the mast cells. However, a therapy with this type of medicines can cause some unpleasant side effects. Among them, the most common is drowsiness.

One can purchase various antihistamines without a clinical prescription. For example, you can buy chlorpheniramine (also commonly known as Chlor-Trimeton), a medicine that ought to be taken in doses of 4 milligrams each, but also diphenhydramine (one of the most common brand names of this medicine is Benadryl), a drug that ought to be administered in regular doses of 25 milligrams. Although most patients take in 3 doses of their medicine per day, in case drowsiness is experienced, the daily dose must be reduced. An effective way of dealing with this unpleasant symptom is to take your dose of antihistamine before bedtime. It is very important for all patients who are following a therapy with any of these drugs to know that their intake of antihistamines may interfere with their ability to perform activities that require mental focus (concentration) – such as driving. We strongly recommend all patients to avoid any dangerous activities during their therapy with such drugs.

Other medicines that have proven to be quite helpful in the therapy of Urticaria include oral steroids (such as Medrol, Prednisone, and so on). A therapy with such drugs can ease the patient’s symptoms in the short term (even in the most severe cases of hives). However, in the long term, they are useless, as the average case of Urticaria is known to last longer than the amount of time in which the intake of steroids is safe for the human organism. Other treatment trials that have proven to be effective in dealing with this medical condition include the intake of Singulair (montelukast), antifungal antibiotics, and tricyclic antidepressants therapy with ultraviolet radiation, and so on. The topical treatments for Urticaria involve using lotions and creams that reduce itching and numb nerve endings. Among the most common ingredients of these remedies are: diphenhydramine, menthol, camphor, and pramoxine. Most of these products do not require a clinical prescription. Creams that contain cortisone are not effective in easing the patient’s itching. For further information regarding the most adequate therapy for your condition (Urticaria) we strongly advise you to contact your personal health care provider. An effective way of avoiding developing this medical condition is to avoid exposure to any type of allergen that might be responsible for the developing of this medical disorder.