Demographic urticaria (the dermographic urticaria is often mistakenly called) is considered one of the common pathologies that is diagnosed in 5% of the world's population. The disease makes itself felt by the appearance of a rash on the skin. In this case, itching, characteristic of other forms of the disease, is absent or weakly expressed. From our article you will learn the main causes of the disorder, as well as the methods of treatment offered by modern medicine.
Features of the disease
Urticaria is a skin disease in which an allergic reaction occurs due to exposure to a specific agent. It manifests itself in the form of redness and swelling of individual sections of the epidermis. A little later blisters form in this place from 1 mm to 5-7 cm in size. The foci of the pathological process are very similar to nettle burns. This disease can occur in both adults and children.
Demographic urticaria, more precisely, dermographic, is considered to be a not very common pathology of the skin. At the site of the allergic reaction, inflammation never occurs. The disease is not accompanied by headaches or loss of consciousness. Usually its symptoms disappear in a few hours, so many people are in no hurry to seek help from a doctor. In fact, consulting a doctor will not be superfluous. He will be able to determine the etiology of the disease, and in its severe forms, he will prescribe the correct treatment.
The main causes of skin disorders
The appearance of rashes on the skin is most often due to various mechanical influences. These include insect bites, scratching and rubbing, friction of clothing. Small children also do not pass demographic urticaria. Their epidermis reaction may be the result of outdoor games, during which they get scratches and bruises.
The exact causes of the disease could not be established. However, doctors distinguish a whole group of factors contributing to the onset of the disease:
- hereditary predisposition;
- frequent stress;
- pathology of internal organs;
- NSAIDs;
- disruption of the thyroid gland;
- the presence of neoplasms in the body.
Often a pathological process is accompanied by diseases that significantly weaken the body's immune forces.
First manifestations
What are the symptoms of demographic urticaria? The disease does not affect the general well-being of a person. For him, signs characteristic of standard allergic reactions are not characteristic. These include lacrimation, nasal congestion, sneezing, shortness of breath.
Both adults and children with demographic urticaria have similar symptoms. First, traces appear at the site of skin contact with the irritant. It can be stripes or other shapes. In their form, the marks accurately reproduce the pattern that remained on the skin after exposure to an irritant agent.
After some time, the damaged area acquires characteristic swelling. Stripes or other marks first turn red, then swell and begin to rise above the surface of the skin. Sometimes scars or blisters appear. These symptoms may persist for several hours.
When do I need to see a doctor?
If you suspect a demographic urticaria, you can first conduct a simple test at home. To do this, in the area of the forearm, you need to scratch the mesh with a well-sharpened pencil. After a few minutes, white stripes and then pink traces will appear on this spot. They may rise slightly above the surface of the skin. Normally, such traces disappear after about an hour. In addition, the strips should not itch or hurt. Such a simple test can determine if you have a demographic urticaria. A photo of the results of the procedure itself is presented a little higher.
After a diagnosis at home, you must visit a dermatologist. Identification of the disease usually does not cause difficulties. To confirm the final diagnosis, the doctor is enough to examine the patient’s epidermis and do some skin tests. Consultation with third-party specialists is sometimes required. For example, a parasitologist helps to detect the presence of pathogenic flora, and an endocrinologist evaluates the thyroid gland.
Drug therapy
As mentioned above, specific treatment for this disease is extremely rare. Usually the symptoms disappear on their own within a few hours or days. However, for many patients, they still cause aesthetic discomfort. Therefore, they are interested in the question of how to treat demographic urticaria.
Therapy should be started with first-generation antihistamines. These include the following medicines: Zirtek, Tavegil, Claritin, Tsetirizin. They relieve symptoms of the pathological process, and noticeable relief occurs after 2-3 hours. Therapy is usually reduced to a single pill before bedtime.
If for some reason the patient refuses to take the pills, you can replace them with ointments. For example, Fenistil gel relieves itching and inflammation. Drapolen Cream effectively fights scars and small scars that are characteristic of a pathology such as demographic urticaria.
Treatment of the chronic form of the disease is recommended to be carried out with second-generation antihistamines. These are drugs such as Tagamet, Zantak and Brikanil. When the listed medications do not give a positive result, the appointment of oral steroids and physiotherapy is considered appropriate.
It should be noted that only a doctor can choose specific drugs for treatment. Self-treatment often ends in a deplorable result.
Help traditional medicine
A mild form of the disease often does not require specific therapy. To eliminate unwanted symptoms, you can use recipes of folk doctors.
Particularly effective is the decoction of the series. It should be brewed as tea and consumed throughout the day in small portions. No less useful is celery juice. Drink 1/3 cup of delicious medicine daily. Also in this juice, you can moisten a cotton pad and treat it with affected areas.
Prognosis for recovery
Demographic urticaria is a treatable disease. After the start of therapy, noticeable improvements occur the very next day. The mild form of the disease completely disappears within three days. In 8% of patients, a complicated course of the pathological process can be observed. In this case, doctors diagnose “chronic demographic urticaria”. The reasons for its occurrence are most often caused by severe stress and psycho-emotional overload.
Preventive measures
No specific measures for the prevention of the disease have been developed, since the exact causes of its occurrence are still unknown. To prevent skin allergic reactions, doctors recommend that you adhere to the following rules:
- give preference to outfits made of natural fabrics;
- minimize stressful situations;
- refrain from visiting saunas;
- do not use hard washcloths;
- to undergo a preventive examination.
Remember that with a timely visit to the doctor, any disease is easier to cure. Be healthy!