Are You Suffering From Urticaria? Then know About It.

June 18, 2020     

Itching could be an irritating disease. Do you know that about 20 per cent of people experience itching at some point in their lives, which makes it a prevalent disease? Every fifth person will suffer from it at different times in their life’s journey. Sometimes it is a real allergic reaction caused by food, animals, drugs, insect bites, chemicals, or other sensitive substances such as latex. Most often, Urticaria is not allergic. Hives can be a source of physical and mental suffering also, mainly if they occur frequently and last for months or years.

Urticaria are red, raised, itchy rashes that are sometimes triggered by allergens. An allergen is something that causes an allergic reaction. It is also known as Hives, welts, weals, nettle rashes. When an allergic reaction occurs, hives develop when there are reactions that activate immune cells in the skin called mast cells. When enabled, these cells release natural chemicals; a protein called histamine. When histamine is released, small blood vessels are known as capillaries leak fluid. Fluid builds up in the skin and causes a rash, which causes itching, redness, and swelling of the skin in one area: hives. In most cases, hives appear suddenly and disappear within a few hours. It is not contagious.

Urticaria usually responds well to treatments that include medication and avoid anything that triggers itching. To get more information about Hives, go through this article provided by Cosmosure Clinic for urticaria treatment in Hyderabad.

What is an Urticaria?

Hive is a skin condition which is raised, red bumps on the skin. You might feel itchy. Hives appear on the surface of your skin, not under your skin. The medical term for itching is Urticaria. Sometimes they are called the welts. They are common and can get it at any age. If you get it once in your life, then you can get it repeatedly.

Urticaria Symptoms:

Skin Appearance: Hives are itchy and sometimes red areas with a pale centre. In some cases, the raised area extends and merges into one. Itching is usually the most challenging symptom of hives and can be severe enough to affect work and sleep.

Angioedema: Half of those who suffer from hives also experience a condition called angioedema. Angioedema is similar to hives but occurs in the deeper layers of the skin. Hives and angioedema appear concurrently.

Symptoms of angioedema include:

• Swelling of the face, eyelids, ears, mouth, arms, legs and genitals
• Swelling that usually affects one side of the body or affects one side more than the other side
• Feeling full or uncomfortable in the swelling area
• skin gets reddish, although the skin can also have a normal colour

Hives as part of a severe allergic reaction: Hives can also appear as part of a more serious allergic reaction. You should see a doctor as soon as possible if you suddenly experience itching or angioedema, along with other symptoms such as:

• Trouble breathing
• Tightness in the throat
• Nausea or vomiting
• Cramping abdominal pain
• Passing out

What Causes Urticaria?

Most people get hives due to allergic reactions. Your body responds to allergies by releasing chemicals into its bloodstream. These chemicals activate hives. Common causes are:

• Medications, including some antibiotics and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin and ACE inhibitors, are used to treat high blood pressure
• Foods such as nuts, shellfish, food additives, eggs, strawberries and whole-grain products
• Infections, including influenza, colds, glandular fever, and hepatitis B.
• Bacterial infections, including urinary tract infections and sore throats
• Parasites in intestines
• Extreme temperature or temperature change
• High body temperature
• Dandruff from pets, dogs, cats, horses, etc.
• Dust mites
• Cockroaches and cockroach waste
• Latex
• Pollen
• Some plants, including nettles, poison ivy and poison oak
• Insect bites and stings
• Some chemicals
• Chronic diseases such as thyroid disorders or lupus
• Exposure to sunlight
• Water on the skin
• Scratching
• Sports

In more than half of all cases, people have never found the exact cause. Chronic Urticaria can be started as an autoimmune reaction, but why it occurs is unclear.

Types of Urticaria:

The classification of the Hives is done based on the number of days they have formed on the skin.

• Acute (brief)
• Chronic (longstanding)
• Inducible (triggered by certain types of physical stimuli)

When you get itching for the first time, you can’t be sure how long. So you don’t know whether you have acute or chronic itching. Although hives have a similar appearance, the triggers for each hive may differ. By learning what triggers your hive, you can avoid the trigger.

• Acute Urticaria (hives): Acute urticaria is the most common form. Symptoms last less than six weeks and usually affect the face, neck, toes, and male genitals. However, this condition can affect any part of the body. Most cases of itching are acute and do not last several days to one or two weeks. 
  • Infections: This can cause itching in some people. Viral infections cause more than 80 per cent of all cases of acute itching in children. Various viruses can cause itching (even the common cold virus). Hives appear to occur when the immune system begins to clear the infection, sometimes a week or more after the onset of the disease. Hives usually last for a week or two and then disappear.
  • Drugs: Many drugs can cause Urticaria, including antibiotics and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen. Pain relievers, muscle relaxants used in anaesthesia, and intravenous contrast agents used in imaging can also activate itching.
  • Insect sting: Certain insect bites (bees, wasps, bees, fire ants) can cause itching in the sting area. If you suffer from Urticaria all over your body after an insect bite, it may be a sign of a more severe reaction called anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis must be treated as soon as possible. 
  • Food allergies: Food allergies can cause acute itching in some people. Itching associated with food usually appears within 30 minutes after eating. Foods that are most likely to cause itching in children include milk, eggs, peanuts, other nuts, soybeans, and wheat. Foods that are most likely to cause itching in adults include fish, shellfish, peanuts, and other nuts.
  • Physical contacts: Hives can occur after touching certain substances if you are allergic to them. For example, children who are allergic to dogs can get itching if the dog licks them. Other things that can cause itching (if you are allergic) are plants, raw fruits and vegetables, and latex (found in balloons, latex gloves, condoms, and other general items).
• Chronic Hives: This occurs every day or almost daily and lasts more than six weeks, sometimes years. Chronic hives can be frustrating because they come and go and can affect sleep, work. Hives affect your appearance, and people can worry about being near you for fear of infectious infections, lasting more than six weeks. Chronic Urticaria is diagnosed in about 1 in 1,000 people. The cause of chronic hives is unknown in most of the cases. However, researchers suggest that problems in the immune system play a vital role.
• Inducible hives: Hives can be caused by several physical factors Such as:
  • Exposure to cold: This often occurs when cold skin warms up again. 
  • Changes in body temperature or sweating: These hives are usually small and large and appear on reddened skin.
  • Vibration: Your palms can turn red, swell and itch when you hold the steering wheel while driving.
  • Pressure: Hives in the palm or soles of the feet can occur several hours after carrying heavy objects or after a long distance. Because the skin on the palms and soles is thick, this area can appear red and swollen without noticeable itching.
  • Exercise: Hives that occur during exercise can be a sign of a dangerous condition called anaphylaxis caused by exercise.
  • Sunlight or water: It’s rare.

How does a dermatologist diagnose Urticaria?

If the patient has itching, a dermatologist can often make a diagnosis based on the skin. However, finding the cause of a hive can be a challenge, especially for hives that have been there for more than six weeks. To find out what is causing your itching, a dermatologist will review your medical history, ask questions, and do a physical examination. You may also need the following tests:

• Allergy tests (on the skin or blood tests)
• Blood test could rule out an illness or infection
• A skin biopsy

In a skin biopsy, your dermatologist removes a small piece of affected skin so that it can be examined under a microscope.

How does a dermatologist treat Urticaria?

Severe cases of itching can cause swelling of the throat, face, tongue, or wheezing making breathing or swallowing difficult. Contact Cosmosure Clinic for urticarial rash treatment, immediately go to the emergency room. You may need a shot of epinephrine or steroids. This is a fast action.

Most cases of hives are harmless. They usually go by themselves. There are several things you can do to reduce discomfort. Medications prescribed by a dermatologist to treat itching include:

• Antihistamines.
• Corticosteroids such as prednisone. They are prescribed for short-term use because of long-term side effects.
• Dapsone is an antibiotic that can also eliminate redness and swelling
• Omalizumab. These injectable drugs can help patients with chronic idiopathic Urticaria (CIU), a type of itching that can last for months or even years.
• Other medicines that fight inflammation. They treat redness and swelling.
• Talk to a dermatologist about possible side effects (health problems that can be caused by medication).

In some cases, itching or angioedema (a condition that is similar to itching, but the swelling appears more rooted in the skin), you may need an adrenaline injection (an adrenaline injection).

All drugs have possible side effects. Be sure to ask the best dermatologist about possible side effects (health problems that can be caused by medication).

Living with a hive:

Once you have a hive, you might be afraid they will return. Benadryl is useful for feeling good, especially when travelling. If you suffer from chronic itching (more than six weeks), visit an allergist or dermatologist. Hives usually last for a short time.

Can Urticaria be prevented or avoided?

Hives cannot be prevented. If you know a reason for the cause, try to avoid triggers. It contains:

• Avoid foods or ingredients that you are allergic to
• Avoid tight clothing for long periods
• Rest if you are stressed or tired
• Wash your hands regularly
• Avoid extreme temperature fluctuations

Conclusion:

For most people, hives are not severe. Children can overcome allergies caused by their hives. Some people with chronic itching (more than six weeks) see the itching go away on their own, often within a year. However, for many people with chronic cases, hives come and go for months or years.

If the hive is massive, it is crucial to visit a doctor. Hives can be a sign of internal disease. Some people experience severe swelling.
If you have itching and difficulty breathing or swallowing, seek emergency help immediately. Visit Cosmosure Clinic urticaria specialist in Hyderabad, for best treatment contact at 040 4953 0404 and book your appointment.