Allergy is a very common problem. Such a pathology, as is known, is associated with an inadequate reaction of the immune system to a particular substance. Allergic pathologies are diverse, they are accompanied by different symptoms - some bring discomfort to a person's life, while others can be deadly.
Urticaria is called one of the most common allergic diseases, which is accompanied by the appearance of watery small blisters on the skin (as with a nettle burn). Naturally, patients are interested in additional information. For example, what are the causes of the development of the disease? How to recognize an allergy on your own? How to get rid of urticaria and is it possible to recover once and for all? Answers to these questions will be useful to many readers.
What is urticaria?
Today, it is often diagnosed, for example, urticaria in children. Symptoms and treatment of this disease, meanwhile, are rather ambiguous. The fact is that under the term “urticaria” a whole group of diseases of an allergic origin is combined. They are accompanied by characteristic symptoms - watery blisters of various sizes suddenly appear on the skin, which, however, disappear after 1-2 days. Information about this ailment was first recorded in the 4th century BC by Hippocrates.
The mechanism of development of this allergic reaction is as follows. When an allergen (a substance to which a person has an increased sensitivity) enters the body for the first time, the immune system produces specific protein antibodies (usually IgM). They accumulate in special cells, such as basophils and mast cells. In the same structures, biologically active substances accumulate - serotonin, histamine, heparin and some others. When an allergen re-enters the body, its molecules combine with antibodies, and subsequently with mast cells, which causes the release of histamine and other active substances directly into the blood and tissues.
Due to an increase in histamine levels, edema of the skin tissue, expansion of small vessels, itching and other signs of allergy are observed. It is in this way that urticaria develops. Symptoms and treatment in adults (and in children too) are directly dependent on the development mechanism and causes of allergies. That is why it is worth familiarizing yourself with risk factors more carefully.
Causes of urticaria in adults and children
Of course, for each patient the most important issue is the successful treatment of the disease. But in order to understand how to get rid of urticaria, you should first familiarize yourself with the mechanism of this pathology. Since this is an allergic reaction, the basis of its development is the contact of the immune system with the allergen. The causes of urticaria in children, as well as in adults, can be very different. But all of them can be divided into several large groups:
- To begin with, it's worth talking about the impact of the external environment. Cold, contact with water, exposure to ultraviolet rays, radiation - all this can cause an allergic reaction.
- If you are interested in the most common causes of urticaria in children, then you should pay attention to food, as in most cases it is they that provoke an allergic reaction in childhood. The most active allergens include nuts, honey, cocoa and chocolate, cow's milk, seafood, eggs, and also some fruits and vegetables (especially often people suffer from allergies to citrus fruits and strawberries).
- What is urticaria from? Quite often, it is a side effect of taking medications, in particular antibiotics. Especially often, allergies develop with the use of tetracyclines, rifampicin, penicillins. Potentially dangerous drugs include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. By the way, the reaction can develop gradually - often the first signs of urticaria appear 14 days after the start of taking antibiotics.
- The causes of allergies in adults can be in contact with various chemically aggressive substances, including latex, detergents and household cleaning products.
- Insect bites (usually wasps, bees and hornets) can also provoke a rash.
If you are wondering what causes urticaria, then you should understand that the reaction is not always triggered as a result of contact with the external environment. Quite often, the causes can lie inside the body. A weakened immune system, hormonal imbalance, dysbiosis, autoimmune diseases, chronic fungal and parasitic ailments - all this can be attributed to risk factors.
What are the symptoms of the disease?
Quite often, people are faced with such an unpleasant problem as urticaria. Symptoms and treatment in adults are important points, so you should dwell on them in more detail. So what are the signs of an ailment accompanied and can you notice it yourself?
In fact, urticaria is accompanied by characteristic skin changes. Blisters with watery contents begin to appear on the skin - in some ways they resemble burns from contact with nettles, which, in fact, was called the name of the allergic reaction. The rash can be present on almost any part of the body.
Most often, hives appear on the arms, legs, less often on the back and stomach. The blisters are usually small, but can sometimes increase and reach 10 cm in diameter. By the way, more often they disappear already 24 hours after the appearance, leaving no traces on the skin (scars, age spots, vascular networks).
The second sign of urticaria is itching, which intensifies in the evening and at night. By the way, “clean” areas of the skin can itch (there are no rashes on them). Burning and soreness with this pathology are absent. Their appearance may indicate the development of Quincke edema and other complications.
Classification: forms and types of urticaria
Today, there are many ways to classify this ailment. For example, an allergy can be acute and chronic (in most cases its causes cannot be determined). The localization of blisters on the skin is also important - the most frequent urticaria is on the hands, but rashes can also appear on the skin of the legs, face, stomach, back, etc.
Depending on the reasons, the following forms are distinguished:
- aerogenic hives (allergens enter the body through the respiratory tract, for example, by inhalation of pollen, mold spores, animal hair, etc.);
- medicinal;
- autoimmune;
- idiopathic (such a diagnosis is made if, despite all the tests, the causes of the allergic reaction cannot be detected);
- infectious (allergy develops against the background of invasion of the body by bacteria, parasites, viruses);
- physical allergy (a reaction occurs when physical factors influence, for example, in contact with water, when exposed to cold or pressure on the body);
- urticaria due to nervousness arises due to increased excitability, overstrain of the nervous system (it is quite difficult to treat and is relatively often diagnosed in children).
Diagnostic methods: what tests need to be done?
Of course, when the first symptoms appear, it is better to consult a doctor. The specialist will be able to tell if there is an allergic reaction. As a rule, examination of the skin and history taking already give reason to suspect the presence of pathology. In a blood test, an increase in ESR and white blood cell count, as well as a decrease in the number of red blood cells, can be noted - this indicates violations of the immune system.
Further tests are carried out to determine the allergen. Skin tests are quite informative - small doses of various groups of potentially dangerous substances are injected under the skin, after which the reaction is monitored. Additionally, tests for hormone levels can be performed (a change in the hormonal background often causes an inadequate response of the immune system to stimuli), a study of feces for the presence of parasites in the intestine, etc. Diagnosis will help to make the most effective treatment regimen.
How to get rid of urticaria? Conservative treatment
Immediately it is worth saying that therapy largely depends on the severity of the allergic reaction, as well as the nature of the allergen. Of course, first of all, it is necessary to eliminate contact with a potentially dangerous substance. After this, a treatment regimen is drawn up. So how to get rid of urticaria?
As a rule, patients are prescribed antihistamines. There are two generations of these drugs. Most often, second-generation drugs are used today, since they do not cause addiction, drowsiness, or other side effects. Relatively safe are Loratadin, Desloratidin, Zirtek, Claritin tablets. In the event that these drugs do not have the desired effect, treatment is carried out using first-generation drugs. "Diphenhydramine", "Diazolin", "Tavegil", "Suprastin" from urticaria are most often used.
In addition, therapy may include the use of ointments. These medicines may or may not contain hormones. Naturally, non-hormonal drugs are safer. Unfortunately, they are not always effective. The most popular today include ointments such as Soventol and Fenistil-gel. They help relieve swelling and itching, improve the well-being of the patient.
In more severe cases, hormone-containing drugs are used to eliminate skin manifestations of allergies. For example, prednisone ointment is often used . From urticaria, judging by the reviews, it helps not bad. The list of drugs for external use includes Lokoid, Cloveit, Laticort, and Dermoveit.
First aid for an allergic reaction
Of course, first you need to make sure that there are no symptoms of Quincke's edema or anaphylactic shock. Further actions depend on what caused the allergic reaction. If there is reason to believe that urticaria is associated with taking medication, therapy should be discontinued. If the blisters began to appear in contact with a cream, detergent, powder, then the skin should be rinsed immediately with warm water.
With severe food allergies, you can take enterosorbent to quickly remove the allergen from the digestive system. You can also try to rinse your stomach. The blisters that appear can be treated with a special tool - an ointment for allergic urticaria is suitable. Sometimes it is advisable to take an antihistamine (Loratidin, Tavegil).
The right diet for urticaria
Naturally, if an allergic reaction is associated with the use of certain foods, then allergens must be immediately excluded from the diet. Sometimes a person can determine for himself what kind of food he is allergic to, in some cases special tests are carried out for this.
On the other hand, even if the occurrence of a skin reaction is in no way connected with the products, a proper diet will help to establish the digestive system, quickly eliminate the external signs of allergies, and improve well-being. So what is possible with urticaria, but what can not?
The diet must necessarily include cereals, boiled meat, light soups. Vegetables and fruits can be consumed, but previously it is desirable to peel, boil or freeze them (this treatment destroys allergen substances). Be sure to drink enough water (at least 2-3 liters per day).
But products that contain preservatives, dyes, emulsifiers and other additives should be avoided. The same goes for potentially dangerous fruits, vegetables, nuts, chocolate and milk. It is necessary to temporarily abandon tonic drinks (especially coffee) and alcohol. This principle of nutrition helps the body recover faster.
Urticaria complications: how dangerous can an allergy be?
According to statistics, in about 40% of cases, urticaria is combined with other, more dangerous allergic diseases, including Quincke's edema and anaphylactic shock. Naturally, such reactions are accompanied by characteristic signs.
For example, the early signs of severe allergies include a sharp decrease in blood pressure, sometimes up to a loss of consciousness. The appearance of acute abdominal pain is possible (especially often observed with reactions to food). Swelling of the neck, tongue, lips, breathing problems, hoarseness, hoarseness in the voice, lack of air - all these are good reasons for calling the ambulance team. This is especially true when urticaria develops in children. Symptoms (and treatment, respectively, too) may be different, therefore, diagnosis and first aid to small patients is the prerogative of the doctor. Self-medication in this case is unacceptable.
Are there preventative measures?
Sometimes it is much easier to prevent the occurrence of a problem than to then think about how to get rid of urticaria. Unfortunately, there are no drugs or other specific prophylactic drugs. But, knowing what are the causes of urticaria in adults and children, you can try to avoid dangerous situations.
Contact with potentially hazardous substances should be avoided. For example, it is recommended to follow the principles of a healthy diet, to refuse the use of highly allergenic products (strawberries, chocolate, honey, nuts, coffee, etc.). Choose high-quality cleaning products, powders. If you have to work with chemicals, be sure to use protective clothing, including gloves.
Doctors are advised to always carry antihistamines (for example, Suprastin, Loratadin) and take them before the rash appears. It is better to wear loose clothing made from natural fabrics that do not irritate the skin. In order to get rid of itching, you can take a cool shower or bath with the addition of a decoction of oatmeal.