Urticaria - Information on Urticaria

Urticaria Information

Urticaria is basically a skin disease typical to youth, but it may occur to the people at any age. Usually intensely itching intradermal vascular reaction (wheals or hives). No epidermal changes such as scaling, papules, or blisters. More often has an unknown, nonspecific etiology, but can be related to medications, foods, and similar vascularstimulating agents. Laboratory studies are not likely to be helpful in evaluation unless there are suggestive findings in the history and physical examination.

We have provided you here all symptoms, causes and treatment methods of Urticaria.

Causes of Urticaria

There are various causes for the development of Urticaria some of them are as follows:

1) Acute Urticaria is an allergy due to exposure to pets, horses, latex rubber, food such as shellfish, nuts, egg and dairy products or bee and wasp stings

2) The cause of acute generalized urticaria often is undetermined

3) Environmental factors (eg, pollens, chemicals, plants, danders, dust, mold)

4) Emotional stress and exercise

5) Cold urticaria, cryoglobulinemia, cryofibrinogenemia, or syphilis

6) For chronic urticaria :Autoimmune disease or medical illness, such as hyperthyroidism amyloidosis, polycythemia vera, malignant neoplasms, and lymphoma or other type of causes which can trigger it.

Treatment of Urticaria

Methods For Treating Urticaria are :

1) Keep the skin cool

2) Avoid aspirin and codeine

3) Avoid alcohol and reduce your intake of acidic fruits.

4) Oral antihistamines provide a good solution for acute urticaria

5) Oatmeal baths and anti-pruritic lotions can also be used to relieve the itching.

6) Oral steroids (prednisone) are useful for severe acute urticaria (have side effects)

7) Frequent use of moisturizers on the skin may add an extra layer of protection

8) Apply 1% menthol in aqueous cream to soothe the affected skin

9) Highly specialised treatments may include Immunosuppressive drugs (Cyclosporine, Methotrexate, and Azathioprine), Androgens and Warfarin.