Urticaria is a type of allergy. The name of this disease comes from its external manifestations. The whole body of the patient is covered with burning red blisters, the same as with a nettle burn. These blisters disappear quickly enough, after about six hours, in rare cases, they can last for 36 hours.
Urticaria in children appears unexpectedly, accompanied by intense itching in different parts of the body. Blisters occur not only on the body, but also on the lips, around the eyes, stomach and intestines. Blisters are often accompanied by edema of certain parts of the body - hands, joints, lips. Like blisters, edema can persist for up to several hours, in rare cases - up to three days.
Urticaria in a child can also occur in a dangerous form with severe swelling of the cheeks, lips, eyelids, mucous membrane of the mouth, tongue, and larynx. With edema of the respiratory tract, breathing is difficult, inhalation is accompanied by whistling and coughing attacks, a nasolabial triangle turns blue . In such cases, with the untimely provision of medical care, a fatal outcome is quite possible. Urticaria in children is accompanied by nausea, diarrhea, prolonged vomiting. Very often the nervous system is affected, with dizziness, headache, vomiting, nausea, general lethargy.
If urticaria in children occurs for the first time, then, as a rule, in an acute form, accompanied by headaches, general malaise, fever up to 39 degrees. This disease is mainly a consequence of food allergies. With untimely measures, acute urticaria can become chronic. In this case, a strict diet is prescribed for a period of up to two weeks. If during this time the rash did not pass, then a more thorough examination is urgently necessary.
Urticaria in children very often occurs when certain substances are inhaled, for example, plant pollen, certain types of dust, etc. The same thing can happen when the skin comes in direct contact with certain types of materials, such as wool, silk, latex, fur, and also with insect bites and a negative reaction to certain types of drugs.
The treatment of urticaria in children is carried out by two main doctors - an allergist and a dermatologist. Before making a final diagnosis, it is necessary to find out how the disease started, what medications have already been taken, what the child eats, and whether the diseases of the gastrointestinal tract suffer. All this will allow you to make the right diagnosis in a timely manner and prescribe the necessary treatment.
The cause of the disease in each child, as a rule, is different. Therefore, it is extremely important to find the allergen that is the “trigger” of urticaria, as well as to determine disturbances in the functioning of any body systems, which, in turn, can directly or indirectly affect the development of the disease. In the case of the chronic form of urticaria, a more complete examination is carried out, with the passing of all tests and even, if necessary, an X-ray examination.
The main direction of treatment for urticaria is the suppression of an allergic reaction and inflammation. In this case, antihistamines are used, such as diazolin, clarithin, diazolin, tavegil, fenistil and other analogues. In order to increase the tone of capillaries and reduce vascular permeability, calcium medications are prescribed. With very severe itching, medications containing anestezin and menthol are prescribed. With a severe form of the disease, hormonal ointments with corticosteroids can be prescribed. In order to reduce itching, you can (after consulting with a specialist) prepare a bath with the addition of a decoction of a string or nettle. To cleanse the body and relieve swelling, laxatives and diuretics, various sorbents are used. Also, the child needs to consume large amounts of fluid.