Urticaria and you
Posted: 14th December 2017 | Posted by Costa
Urticaria and you
Urticaria might sound like an abandoned Tolkien character, but it’s actually a lot more familiar than that. More commonly known as hives, urticaria is the medical name for the pale red bumps that appear on the skin, often as a reaction to certain allergens, though they can also occur because of the cold or unknown reasons. In most cases, they class this condition as ‘acute’. That is, provoked as a temporary reaction to a one-time stimulus. But it can also manifest as ‘chronic’, lasting over long periods of time for a few different reasons, usually linked to autoimmune reactions and infections.
Today we’re going to be mainly focusing on the short-term, acute cases of urticaria. Much of what we discuss is also useful for chronic sufferers and can help alleviate symptoms all the same. Urticaria can be a symptom of an allergic reaction; food allergies, allergy to the venom of stinging insects, reactions to medication, latex allergies. When urticaria rears its head it requires assessment by a specialist as the condition might be dangerous or even life-threatening.
The facts
Spontaneous urticaria can be induced by a variety of physical triggers, such as temperature change, pressure or even exercise. It’s usually not dangerous but very uncomfortable as it can last up to 6 weeks. That said, around half the triggers of acute urticaria are as yet unknown. Thankfully, there are universal ways of managing these outbreaks regardless of the catalyst.
The good thing is that, in acute cases, most instances of urticaria don’t actually require any treatment. Simply avoiding the trigger for a few days, or sometimes even only a few hours, can provide enough respite to see the condition subside and normality resume. If it persists beyond this it’s best to seek advice from a consultant. But there are some things you can do in the meantime to help alleviate your symptoms.
Prevention
As often discussed on this blog, non-sedating, over-the-counter antihistamines will work wonders in managing your irritation. As the body reacts, it releases histamine that affects blood vessels and nerves resulting in urticarial flares or swellings. Antihistamines receptors to histamines on blood vessels and nerves. While not curing the root of the problem, will make the symptoms, such as itching, far more bearable.
If the condition persists or is of sufficient intensity, then antihistamines in the standard may not do enough, and in this instance, you need to see a consultant. Documenting the symptoms in SymTrack hive app on daily basis will be very important in making a decision on the required treatment. In accordance with global urticaria guidelines, your consultant will recommend the course of action.
Urticaria isn’t usually enough to stop anyone in their tracks, but it can be a nasty irritant and leave individuals feeling embarrassed in public. The important thing to remember is that you are not alone, and in fact, there are dedicated Urticaria Centres of Reference and Excellence (UCARE) that specialise in this condition and even a World Urticaria Day annually on the 1st October.
If you would like help and advice and to better understand your allergies, please book an appointment at our UCARE centre.