Urticaria is a common skin disease that gets its name from nettle. The stinging hairs of this plant cause burns, which manifest themselves in the same way as hives – with blisters, itching, swelling and reddening which turns white under pressure.
Urticaria – types
Urticaria can be acute or chronic. In the latter case, the lesions persist or recur for more than 6 weeks. However, it is more common acute hives. It may be caused by ingested food (especially in children) or taking medications. Less often, it is formed under the influence of cold, heat, sunlight and preservatives and dyes contained in food.
Hives can appear on the skin of various parts of the body – most often they are found on the face, hands, feet and genitals.
It should be remembered that some types of acute urticaria are associated with general symptoms. They can lead to the so-called life-threatening anaphylactic shock. Symptoms indicating a risk of anaphylactic shock include numbness of the face and palate, itchy nose, sneezing, reddening of a large area of the skin and hoarseness, and later – shortness of breath, wheezing, and disturbed consciousness. You may experience this form of reaction after being stung by an insect (wasp, bee, hornet, etc.) or by injection of certain medications.
In the case of chronic urticaria finding the cause of the symptoms is usually difficult; therapy is not easy either. Recurring changes that may persist for several years is burdensome; often resolving spontaneously.
- For dry and irritated skin, we recommend Aloesove moisturizing body lotion, which helps to get rid of callous epidermis
Hives in children – how to treat it?
A child who develops hives should be examined by a doctor. You never know if a young patient will develop a general reaction, i.e. the already mentioned anaphylactic shock.
In the interview, the doctor will ask about the foods recently eaten by the child, medications taken (so it is best to take their packages from home or at least write down their names), contact with chemical products, physical factors (cold, heat, sunlight, etc.) and about stings caused by insects.
There are no specific, specialized additional tests that could explain the cause of acute urticaria. However, such tests do exist and must be performed in the case of chronic urticaria. The doctor may then order the so-called provocation teststo help detect the causative agent of urticaria.
Hives – how to prevent it?
The best way to prevent hives is to avoid the triggers, which is not easy. If parents have observed which foods are causing hives, they should avoid giving them to their baby. The same should apply to drugs, although the factor that causes urticaria is not always the active substance itself, but the excipients. In addition, the urticarial reaction may not develop until the next dose of the drug.
Before visiting a doctor, a child with urticaria can be given lime preparations and antihistamines, and a cool compress or a cooling gel should be applied to the reddened skin.
If a child with a history of hives is stung by an insect, a tourniquet should be applied above the site of the sting. The young patient should also be given adrenaline from a pre-filled syringe immediately. This agent is available in pharmacies – it should always be carried by parents who go for a walk with a child allergic to the venom of hymenoptera (wasps, bees, hornets).
In any case of stings of an allergic child – regardless of the procedures mentioned above – an ambulance should be called immediately.