1.What is urticaria and its causes?
In hives, light red, swollen blisters
. Usually, hives are the result of an allergic reaction, but sometimes hives appear for other reasons. The name urticaria, or nettle fever, appeared because the blisters look very similar to burns from the most common nettle.
Hives usually cause itching
, but sometimes it is accompanied by
a burning sensation on the skin
. Rashes and blisters can appear on any part of the body, even on the face, lips, tongue, throat or ears. The affected area of skin can be any size - from a few millimeters to the size of an ordinary plate. Redness and swelling with urticaria go away over varying periods of time - from several hours to several weeks.
There is another condition somewhat similar to urticaria - Quincke's edema
. But in this case, the tumor begins under the skin, and not on its surface. With angioedema, deep swelling begins around the eyes and lips, and sometimes the genitals, arms and legs. Typically, angioedema resolves in less than 24 hours. In very rare cases, angioedema in the throat, tongue, or lungs can block the airway and cause breathing problems. And then it becomes life-threatening.
Why do urticaria and Quincke's edema appear?
Urticaria and angioedema develop when blood plasma leaks from small blood vessels in the skin in response to histamine production. Histamine is a chemical that is released from special cells located in these vessels. The production of histamine can be caused by a variety of factors - allergies, chemicals from food, exposure to sunlight, medications, insect bites. There are quite a few factors for the appearance of urticaria, and therefore it is not always possible to accurately determine its cause.
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Therapy
The course of medications is prescribed only by a doctor. Self-medication when a rash occurs is unacceptable; it often becomes a threat to the patient and the people around him. Treatment for itchy blisters is aimed at eliminating the underlying cause, after which the rash begins to disappear.
It is forbidden to scratch the rash or intentionally open its elements; this sometimes leads to infection of the wounds. The bubbles should burst spontaneously.
Traditional medicine
If the rash is caused by viruses (herpes, chickenpox), antiviral drugs are used:
Antihistamines are prescribed to relieve itching:
Blisters are treated with antiseptics:
- brilliant green;
- Fukortsin;
- potassium permanganate solution.
Herpes on the lips can be treated with ointments:
To relieve fever, pain and inflammation use:
To treat contact dermatitis, use:
- antiallergenic agents (Claritin, Loratadine, Diazolin);
- corticosteroids (Sinaflan, Advantan, Dermovate, Lokoid);
- enterosorbents (Polysorb, activated carbon);
- immunomodulators (tincture of echinacea, ginseng, eleutherococcus);
- multivitamins (Alphabet, Vitrum).
- corticosteroids (Hydrocortisone, Lorinden);
- antihistamines (Bepanten, Elokom, Advantan).
Fungal infections are treated with:
- local medications (Mikospor, Lotseril, Lamisil, Exoderil);
- antifungal drugs taken orally (Terbizil, Griseofulvin, Flucostat);
- sorbents (Enterosgel, Polysorb MP);
- immunomodulators (tincture of echinacea, ginseng, eleutherococcus).
Streptoderma is suppressed using:
- antiseptics for treating rashes (salicylic alcohol, brilliant green, Fukortsin);
- ointments with antibiotics (Triderm, Erythromycin ointment, Baneocin).
If a bacterial infection is added to the underlying cause of the rash with watery blisters, use:
- antibiotics (Augmentin, Amoxicillin, Erythromycin);
- immunomodulators (Immunal, Immunorm, echinacea extract, ginseng, eleutherococcus).
Folk remedies
Traditional medicine is added to complex treatment. Allergic reactions are relieved with herbal decoctions:
- Yarrow. Brew 1 tablespoon of the plant in 250 ml of boiled water. Let it brew for 1 hour. Drink 1 glass 3 times a day. The course of treatment is 21 days. The product successfully fights cold allergies.
- A series. In the evening, boil 1 liter of water, pour 4 tablespoons of the plant into the liquid, and leave until the morning. Take half a glass 3 times a day. Treatment lasts 21 days. The sequence is useful for food allergies.
Fungal infections are treated using the following:
- Strong coffee. The grains are ground in a coffee grinder, brew 5 teaspoons in 500 ml of boiling water, allow to cool to 37-40 0 C. Take 15-minute baths, immersing your hands or feet in the healing solution.
- Tea tree oil. The affected areas are treated with oil 3 times a day. The product is applied with a cotton pad. The skin stops peeling and itching, the blisters dry out and heal.
Baths and lotions with oak bark help cure dyshidrosis and prickly heat:
- For 2 liters of boiling water, take 8 tablespoons of plant material. The solution is cooled to 37-40 0 C, and baths are taken. The duration of the procedure is 15-20 minutes.
- Brew 1 teaspoon of bark in 250 ml of boiling water. When the infusion has cooled to a comfortable temperature, moisten a napkin in it and apply it to the affected area. Leave the application until it dries.
With the correct diagnosis and timely treatment, itchy blisters heal quickly without causing complications.
Every person who is faced with the problem of a skin disease, like no one else, can tell you what unpleasant sensations itching and burning of the skin causes.
When this kind of discomfort occurs, you want to find out the causes of any formations on the skin as soon as possible in order to quickly eliminate them.
Most often, the body becomes blistered and itchy.
Such formation interferes with a person’s normal life activities, since the blister itches. What is the reason for their appearance and methods of treatment - we will talk about this in our article.
2.What are the types of urticaria and Quincke's edema?
There are several different types of urticaria and angioedema:
- Acute urticaria and acute angioedema
. This is hives or swelling that lasts less than six weeks. The most common causes of this reaction in the body are food, drugs, latex or infections. Insect bites or some kind of internal disease are another cause of acute urticaria. When it comes to foods, the most common causes of hives are nuts, chocolate, fish, tomatoes, eggs, fresh berries, soy, wheat and milk. Especially if they are all consumed in their raw form. Medicines that may cause hives or angioedema include aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (such as ibuprofen), high blood pressure medications, or pain relievers (codeine). - Chronic urticaria or Quincke's edema
. In this case, the hives or swelling last for more than six weeks. Usually the causes of this type of urticaria are more difficult to determine than in the case of the acute form of the disease. In fact, the cause of chronic urticaria may be the same, but perhaps it is all due to an autoimmune disease, chronic infections, hormonal disorders or malignant neoplasms. - Physical urticaria
. This is a rash caused by direct physical impact on the skin. For example, from cold, heat, sunlight, vibration, pressure, sweating or exercise. In this case, hives usually appear in the area where the skin was directly exposed and rarely occur elsewhere. In most cases, physical hives go away within an hour of stopping exposure. Cold allergy is one of the most common forms of physical urticaria. - Dermatographism
is hives that appear when the skin is rubbed or scratched too hard. Such urticaria can begin simultaneously with other forms of this disease. - Hereditary angioedema
. This is a painful swelling of the tissue. The disease is inherited.
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3.Diagnosis of the disease
The diagnosis of urticaria or Quincke's edema is made after examination. Your doctor will ask you a few questions to find out the possible cause of your hives or angioedema and examine your skin. Depending on your health condition, you may need to consult an allergist, immunologist or dermatologist.
Skin tests may be done to determine which substance is causing your allergy. And routine blood tests are needed to determine the presence of some systemic disease.
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4.How to treat urticaria and Quincke's edema?
The easiest way to deal with urticaria and angioedema is if you can identify and eliminate the factor that caused the problem. But this is not always possible. Typically, antihistamines are used to treat hives. They will help relieve the symptoms of the disease. Sometimes antihistamine medications need to be taken regularly to prevent the rash and associated swelling.
Chronic urticaria is treated with antihistamines or a combination of them. But if this does not give the desired result, sometimes the doctor prescribes corticosteroids.
In severe cases of urticaria and angioedema, an injection of adrenaline or steroid medications may be necessary.
What else can be done to treat hives?
While the course of treatment is ongoing and you are waiting for the redness and swelling to disappear, follow these simple recommendations.
- Do not use hot water. Let it just be warm.
- Wash with mild soap.
- You can apply cold compresses or apply a damp cloth to the affected areas.
- Be in a cool room.
- Wear loose, lightweight clothing.
Therapy
The course of medications is prescribed only by a doctor. Self-medication when a rash occurs is unacceptable; it often becomes a threat to the patient and the people around him. Treatment for itchy blisters is aimed at eliminating the underlying cause, after which the rash begins to disappear.
It is forbidden to scratch the rash or intentionally open its elements; this sometimes leads to infection of the wounds. The bubbles should burst spontaneously.
Traditional medicine
If the rash is caused by viruses (herpes, chickenpox), antiviral drugs are used:
- Virolex;
- Acyclovir.
Antihistamines are prescribed to relieve itching:
- Claritin;
- Tavegil;
- Zyrtec;
- Suprastin.
Blisters are treated with antiseptics:
- brilliant green;
- Fukortsin;
- potassium permanganate solution.
Herpes on the lips can be treated with ointments:
- Penciclovir;
- Acyclovir.
To relieve fever, pain and inflammation use:
- Ibuprofen;
- Lidocaine gel;
- Paracetamol;
- Aspirin.
To treat contact dermatitis, use:
- antiallergenic agents (Claritin, Loratadine, Diazolin);
- corticosteroids (Sinaflan, Advantan, Dermovate, Lokoid);
- enterosorbents (Polysorb, activated carbon);
- immunomodulators (tincture of echinacea, ginseng, eleutherococcus);
- multivitamins (Alphabet, Vitrum).
Dyshidrosis is treated:
- corticosteroids (Hydrocortisone, Lorinden);
- antihistamines (Bepanten, Elokom, Advantan).
Fungal infections are treated with:
- local medications (Mikospor, Lotseril, Lamisil, Exoderil);
- antifungal drugs taken orally (Terbizil, Griseofulvin, Flucostat);
- sorbents (Enterosgel, Polysorb MP);
- immunomodulators (tincture of echinacea, ginseng, eleutherococcus).
Streptoderma is suppressed using:
- antiseptics for treating rashes (salicylic alcohol, brilliant green, Fukortsin);
- ointments with antibiotics (Triderm, Erythromycin ointment, Baneocin).
If a bacterial infection is added to the underlying cause of the rash with watery blisters, use:
- antibiotics (Augmentin, Amoxicillin, Erythromycin);
- immunomodulators (Immunal, Immunorm, echinacea extract, ginseng, eleutherococcus).
Folk remedies
Traditional medicine is added to complex treatment. Allergic reactions are relieved with herbal decoctions:
- Yarrow. Brew 1 tablespoon of the plant in 250 ml of boiled water. Let it brew for 1 hour. Drink 1 glass 3 times a day. The course of treatment is 21 days. The product successfully fights cold allergies.
- A series. In the evening, boil 1 liter of water, pour 4 tablespoons of the plant into the liquid, and leave until the morning. Take half a glass 3 times a day. Treatment lasts 21 days. The sequence is useful for food allergies.
Fungal infections are treated using the following:
- Strong coffee. The grains are ground in a coffee grinder, brew 5 teaspoons in 500 ml of boiling water, allow to cool to 37-40 C. Take 15-minute baths, immersing your hands or feet in the healing solution.
- Tea tree oil. The affected areas are treated with oil 3 times a day. The product is applied with a cotton pad. The skin stops peeling and itching, the blisters dry out and heal.
Baths and lotions with oak bark help cure dyshidrosis and prickly heat:
- For 2 liters of boiling water, take 8 tablespoons of plant material. The solution is cooled to 37-40 C, and baths are taken. The duration of the procedure is 15-20 minutes.
- Brew 1 teaspoon of bark in 250 ml of boiling water. When the infusion has cooled to a comfortable temperature, moisten a napkin in it and apply it to the affected area. Leave the application until it dries.
With the correct diagnosis and timely treatment, itchy blisters heal quickly without causing complications.