THE urticaria is non-contagious reaction of the skin that is characterized by the appearance of red spots, which can swell and itch a lot. Some people may experience burning and stinging from the lesions. It is a common skin disease: 15% to 20% of people have had an episode of urticaria in their lifetime. People with a history of respiratory and skin allergy are more likely to have urticaria.
The lesions caused by urticaria may or may not be localized, and are classified, according to the time of its evolution, in acute urticaria (less than six weeks) or chronic urticaria (greater than six weeks). Acute urticaria can be caused by food intolerances or medications, while the causes of chronic urticaria are much more difficult to be defined and can cause some consequences for the patient, such as fatigue, insomnia, social isolation, emotional difficulties and sexual.
In cases where there is airway swelling, urticaria can become severe, as this swelling leads to swelling of the glottis, making it difficult for the person to breathe. When this occurs, it is necessary to seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Sometimes it is not possible to determine which cause of urticaria, but it can often be caused by factors such as:
- Insect bites;
- Verminosis;
- Infections caused by bacteria, viruses or fungi;
- Pollen, dust, insecticides, etc.;
- Physical agents such as cold, heat, pressure and light;
- Food such as egg, seafood;
- Colorants, preservatives, flavorings;
- Medicines;
- Systemic diseases such as thyroid dysfunction;
- Emotional factors.
O hive diagnosis It is done by looking at the lesions on the skin, but the doctor may order additional tests to see what is triggering the urticaria. In some cases, your doctor may choose to biopsy tissue from a lesion to check for any skin conditions.
O urticaria treatment is made from antihistamine drugs that act by blocking the receptors of histamine, one of the substances responsible for the symptoms of urticaria. These medications can be oral or topical, always aiming to relieve the symptoms of urticaria.
the best way to hive prevention it's finding out who your causative agent is, and then avoiding it.
By Paula Louredo
Graduated in Biology
