The difference between urticaria and allergies. Diagnosis of allergic urticaria

Allergic urticaria (code L50.0 according to ICD 10) is one of the most common manifestations of intolerance to any irritating factor. This symptom got its name because of its similarity to a burn after contact with nettles.

Angioedema is also considered urticaria - a severe allergic reaction in which swelling spreads to different parts of the body. This disease requires emergency care and can lead to fatal outcome. But do not be alarmed in advance; such a symptom appears very rarely.

Most often, urticaria occurs in adult women. According to doctors, this disease occurs at least once in the lives of each of us, but for many it is mild. Only in a certain number of people are these signs so striking that they force them to see a doctor. Depending on the severity and the reasons leading to its occurrence, urticaria is divided into several types.

Acute allergic urticaria can occur in the first minutes after an allergen enters the body. It has pronounced symptoms and is quickly cured. The main thing is to start taking an antihistamine on time and stop the allergen entering the body. After a couple of hours, not a trace of the rash will remain on the person’s skin. Very rarely, the rash bothers the patient for a long time.

Chronic urticaria can bother a person for several days or even months. Its symptoms are quite mild, which is why the patient may not notice it immediately. Therefore, it is very important to monitor your health, paying attention to the slightest signals of an impending illness. Cold weather can lead to exacerbation of urticaria, sunlight and much more. Allergies may occur when using new cosmetics or sunscreen.

Quincke's edema is a severe stage of urticaria that poses a threat to the patient's life. With an increase in the permeability of the vascular walls, it develops extensive swelling. More severe swelling occurs in areas where adipose tissue is located.

Pseudoallergic urticaria is the body’s reaction to any external or internal irritant. This includes urticaria, which occurs as a result of exposure to physical factors.

Cold allergy can be hereditary; it occurs in relatives suffering from fermentopathy. An allergic reaction can develop either immediately or after several hours. This disease is characterized by the appearance of swelling, itching and redness on the skin. When the body is overcooled, Quincke's edema may develop.

Mechanical urticaria can occur when clothing items put pressure on the skin. A few minutes after contact with them, blisters appear on the skin. This disease often affects people with unstable mental health and vegetative-vascular dystonia. Thermal pseudoallergic urticaria occurs when the air temperature rises; most often the disease is hereditary. The main symptoms of this type of hives are headaches, skin rashes and stomach upset.

Cholinergic urticaria is characterized by the appearance of small blisters on the skin. Merging, they form large blisters. Very often, such urticaria is accompanied by a runny nose, diarrhea and Quincke's edema due to stimulation of the glands and nerves. Cholinergic urticaria can occur with high physical activity, at heavy sweating in hot weather, etc. Very rare is water urticaria, in which a rash appears after contact with water.

Allergic reactions to sunlight appear within a few minutes of exposure to the sun's rays. Light urticaria appears as itchy blisters or red spots on the skin. Anaphylactic shock may occur. Endogenous urticaria occurs when liver function is impaired, with diabetes mellitus and when taking antimalarial drugs. It manifests itself in the form of sensitivity to ultraviolet radiation.

Causes

Some people think that the main reason for the development of this symptom is the entry of an allergen into the body. However, this is not quite true. Atopy is a congenital human characteristic; it is a prerequisite for the occurrence of many diseases. When collecting information about a patient, doctors often find out that allergies also occurred in his immediate family. Allergens that enter the body with food, air or through the skin cause a number of specific reactions. Irritating factor any substance can become, most often it is pollen, chemicals, cereals, fruits and dairy products.

Medicines are complex chemical compounds that can also cause an acute allergic reaction in a person. This especially applies to antibiotics and NSAIDs. A patient may develop an allergy in the form of urticaria both at the beginning of taking such drugs and after completing the course of treatment. Foreign proteins can also enter the body through insect bites. The bite of some of them can lead to severe consequences in the form of the same Quincke's edema.

A woman's body undergoes many changes during pregnancy, so substances that were previously tolerated normally can lead to an allergic reaction.

Main symptoms

The disease has characteristic features, allowing for a quick and accurate diagnosis and timely initiation of treatment. The attack develops rapidly, and an increase in symptoms is observed within a few minutes. The skin rash has the appearance of blisters, which indicates intercellular edema. Blisters, unlike vesicles, do not have a fluid-filled cavity. They come in different sizes and shapes and can appear in spots or cover the entire body. They are surrounded by a pink rim and rise above healthy areas of the skin.

Over time, the blisters merge with each other and form continuous spots. At the same time, the person’s general condition worsens, fever and nettle fever appear. All these symptoms are accompanied by severe skin itching. If you start treatment on time, all these symptoms can be eliminated in a few hours. The liquid is absorbed by the cells, blisters and itching disappear.

Quincke's edema is considered by many to be separate disease, however, it is a type of urticaria. When it develops, it is important to make a timely diagnosis and provide the patient with emergency care. If with simple urticaria small swelling appears in the form of blisters, then in this case everything is much more serious. Liquid accumulates in all areas of the body where the skin does not adhere tightly to the muscles and bones: lips, larynx, eyelids, genitals. There is a decrease in body temperature and pallor skin. Swelling of the larynx makes breathing difficult, which can lead to asphyxia and death.

How to treat allergic urticaria

Treatment allergic urticaria in children and adults, it is necessary to begin with eliminating its underlying cause. In order to stop the allergen entering the body, you may have to give up some foods and change your habits. Only in this case will you be able to get rid of this disease once and for all. When allergic rash on the skin, you must immediately take an antihistamine. Modern medicines do not have serious side effects and do not cause drowsiness. They reduce the body's sensitivity to histamine, a substance that causes all of the above symptoms.

If your skin rash is caused by a food allergy, good results gives the intake of sorbents. They do not affect human immunity, but they absorb and remove toxic substances and allergens from the body. Vitamin preparations help strengthen the body. In some cases, your doctor may prescribe hormonal drugs. They have many side effects, so they are used extremely rarely.

Desensitization - newest method treatment in which small doses of allergens are introduced into the body. In response to them, the body produces a minimal amount of histamine, which does not cause severe symptoms. Over time, the supply of this substance is depleted and the body adapts to the allergen.

When treating this disease in a child, diuretics are often used. They help remove from the body excess liquid and reduce swelling. However, along with urine, they can also leave the body. useful elements. Therefore, it is necessary to use diuretics under the constant supervision of a doctor. To prevent a recurrent attack, parents must provide the child with living conditions that prevent the allergen from entering the body. Regular cleaning of the house or apartment is necessary to remove hair and dust that provoke severe allergic reactions. Old feather pillows should be thrown away and replaced with synthetic ones.

You will have to give up cats and dogs too. They leave wool in the house, which is the main allergen. The same goes for some plants. It is advisable to wash baby's clothes with baby or laundry soap, rinsing thoroughly after washing. There should not be any tobacco smoke, so parents will have to give up this bad habit.

Nutrition

The diet for this disease is not much different from the diet for other manifestations of allergies. It is imperative to exclude a product that provokes allergic reactions from the diet of an adult or child. In addition, it is necessary to follow a hypoallergenic diet. Replace dairy products with fermented milk. Eliminate bright exotic fruits from your diet. You should not eat foods that you have not tried before. Very often, seafood causes allergies, so it is better to avoid them. You cannot eat nuts, raisins and prunes.

It is better to eat meat boiled or stewed. It shouldn't be too greasy. Vegetables are best consumed fresh or boiled. From fried food should be refused. Give preference to buckwheat and rice porridge, as well as boiled potatoes. Do not use hot spices or large amounts of salt when cooking.

Treatment with folk remedies

From time immemorial, people have been looking for ways to treat this or that disease. Therefore many folk remedies Allergy treatments can be very effective. However, before using them, you should definitely consult your doctor. The simplest folk remedy is peppermint decoction. 4 teaspoons of dry herb are poured into 300 ml of boiling water and left for an hour. You need to take 50 ml at least 3 times a day.

Fresh beets are peeled and grated. The resulting mass is poured into 2 liters cold water, insist for 6 days. After this, it is recommended to take 1 tbsp. spoon 1 time per day. It can also be used to treat skin affected by rashes. Good effect when treating urticaria, give a decoction of yarrow: 1 tbsp. dry herbs pour 1 tbsp. boiling water Leave for 40 minutes. The decoction is taken 50 ml 3 times a day.

Celery helps remove excess fluid from the body during edema. Its root needs to be grated and the juice squeezed out through cheesecloth. Take it 3 times a day before meals. Skin itching can be reduced by eating raw potatoes. The vegetable is peeled and thinly sliced. A slice of potato should be placed on the affected area and left for half an hour. After this, the skin is washed with warm water.

Any folk remedy must be used in combination with traditional treatment.

Make sure in advance that you are not allergic to the plant used for treatment.

Against the background of the poor environmental situation in the country, and in the world as a whole, the immune system people are significantly weakened. Our liver is the first to suffer. Disturbances in its functioning lead to a significant accumulation of toxic substances in the body, which cannot pass without leaving a mark on human health. Multiple allergic reactions occur. One of the first manifestations can be considered urticaria. It is not safe because it often develops into acute and even chronic forms.

Manifestations of allergic urticaria

Urticaria occurs as small rash red or Pink colour. It often looks like pimples and initial stage does not cause itching or burning. Therefore, many do not pay the necessary attention, hoping that it will go away on its own over time. Gradually, the spots increase in size and can reach up to 12-13 centimeters. There is also a merging of several pimples into one large swelling.

In acute allergic urticaria, severe itching and burning occur. In this case, the symptoms are rapidly developing. Swelling of the skin occurs within minutes of contact with the allergen. Usually, after stopping contact with the allergen, the symptoms disappear. If the spots persist and do not subside within several weeks, we can confidently speak about the presence of a chronic form of allergic urticaria. Other accompanying signs are also noted:

Causes of allergic urticaria

Allergic urticaria occurs against the background of multiple irritating influences. From the name itself it becomes clear that the culprit is an allergy. If urticaria is caused by food allergies, the culprits are the following products:

Dyes, which are used in almost all products, and especially in semi-finished products, are very harmful to the human body. Eating fruits, vegetables and citrus fruits out of season is also not safe. Allergic urticaria, especially in children, is common due to the use of certain medications. These include antibiotics, drugs to normalize heart function, and the use of hormones. Vitamins can also cause skin rashes. Therefore, before you assign yourself medical supplies, it is necessary to consult with doctors in order to avoid sad consequences.

Among the reasons it is worth mentioning such a disease as hay fever. This is the most “popular” type of allergy, which is often found among residents big cities. Hay fever develops due to the contact of pollen from wind-pollinated plants on the mucous membranes. Trees begin to bloom in mid-March, and end with the color of weeds in September. People who are aware of their predisposition to this type of disease need to know the flowering periods in order to avoid or minimize manifestations, including allergic urticaria:

Swelling and rashes on the body can be caused by pets and household dust. Urticaria due to cold allergies is very rare. Probably each of us has at least once experienced hives after exposure to direct sun rays. Such symptoms are considered normal for an absolutely healthy person. But if it does not go away for at least a day, we can talk about an allergic manifestation.

The risk zone includes women during pregnancy and children. Their body is most vulnerable to irritants of various nature. People with a genetic predisposition and viral or infectious diseases are at risk. The patient needs to improve liver function.

Treatment

Any allergic disease should only be under the strict supervision of a doctor. Before prescribing medications, it is necessary to full examination and pass the required tests. After all, allergic urticaria and urticaria of any other origin are treated in completely different ways. In this case, antihistamines, ointments and creams are prescribed. After all, it is important not just to remove the manifestations of the rash, but to get rid of the disease from the inside. The condition for successfully getting rid of the disease is the complete exclusion of any contact with the allergen.

In medicine, immunotherapy has often been used. Its essence lies in the systematic introduction of very small doses of the allergen so that the body gets used to it and the immune system begins to produce antibodies. The disadvantage is its duration of treatment (about a year), and periodic hospital stays, since injections are carried out only by a doctor in a hospital.

Among antihistamines, I distinguish three generations. The last one is the least number of contraindications. But because of its potency, it is not attributed to all patients, but depending on the course and severity of the disease. Let's look at some of them:

To relieve allergic urticaria in the shortest period of time, ointments and creams are used. Depending on the nature of its manifestation, hormonal, non-hormonal and moisturizing preparations are selected. In the acute form, hormonal drugs are used. They are considered the most effective, but at the same time, not entirely safe. Although the amount of hormones included in their composition is small, it can still be disrupted and hormonal background the body of the patient himself. Such drugs are prescribed for a short time, therefore, they are not suitable for the treatment of chronic urticaria. These include the following:

If the skin begins to peel, use a simple fat-based baby cream. However, it is safer not to use hormonal ointments, which are allowed for both small children and pregnant women. Most of them have a cooling effect, which relieves the patient from itching and burning in the shortest possible time. Such drugs include:

Treatment of urticaria due to food allergies

Allergic urticaria of this type is treated not only with antihistamines, but also with a mandatory hypoallergenic diet. The first step is to exclude the allergen product from the diet. The following are foods that are strictly prohibited or acceptable for consumption in small quantities:

Based on the permitted food products, try to cook meat dishes steamed or baked. It is beneficial to consume vegetable broths daily. Prepare cabbage salads more often with the addition of fresh cucumber. You can season them simply olive oil and sesame or flax seeds (if you are not allergic to them). Remember that the menu should be varied and prepared only from fresh products.

Traditional methods of treatment

In some cases, treating hives with traditional medicine brings a more noticeable effect than traditional methods treatment. So, to get rid of toxins, you need to prepare a decoction of celandine. A small amount of this herb needs to be poured with water and boiled for several minutes. Let the broth cool a little and just infuse. Use throughout the day.

Allergic urticaria can be cured with the help of nettle. From of this plant Lotions are being prepared. For about 0.5 liters of water, you need a few pinches of herbs, which are brought to a boil and left on the fire for three minutes. After removing from the stove, let it sit for an hour. Can be used an unlimited number of times when applied to damaged skin. For internal use, nettle is prepared as follows: for 0.5 liters of boiling water you need approximately 100 grams of dried or fresh herbs. Wrap it in a towel and leave it for half an hour. Then simply strain the broth and consume about 100 grams up to five times a day, regardless of meals.

To tone the skin and promote it fast regeneration, use bean decoctions. To do this, the beans are boiled in water for about an hour, in a ratio of 2:10, and the liquid is consumed orally several times a day. Chamomile decoctions with the addition of a string are good for getting rid of hives. These herbs are used to prepare medicinal baths. Coniferous additions are useful for baths. If it is not possible to use natural ingredients, allowed to drip essential oils fir, spruce, lemon balm, mint and eucalyptus.

For external use, ointments are prepared using improvised means. A mixture of rice starch and glycerin, or aloe juice and Vaseline are suitable for this. The ingredients are taken in equal quantities. An excellent ointment for hives made from honey, water and a few drops of lemon juice. It is useful to lubricate the skin with a cut aloe leaf. Lotions of green tea and chamomile are used. This will help relieve redness and swelling of the skin.

Prevention measures

The first and main rule of prevention is diet, especially for pregnant women and nursing mothers. It is necessary to exclude any possible allergens, such as carpeting, soft toys, pets, low-quality food, pollen and others. To prevent mold and mildew from appearing in your home, ventilate your rooms regularly. Observe the following instructions:

• Regular wet cleaning;
• Proper fractional nutrition;
• Personal hygiene;
• Avoid hypothermia and increased body temperature;
• Regular exercise;
• Getting rid of bad habits(alcohol, smoking).

Allergic urticaria is the body's reaction to contact with an allergen, manifesting itself as skin rashes. The disease is classified as an immediate allergic reaction, characterized by the rapid onset of symptoms (within 30–60 minutes). These reactions are provoked by antibodies that are produced against foreign this person antigen. In the vast majority of cases, predisposition to the disease is inherited genetically and can manifest itself with early years. According to the International Classification of Diseases, allergic urticaria is coded ICD-10.

Allergic urticaria ICD-10 is such a common disease that 30% of the population will experience its symptoms at least once in their lives. At the same time, an allergic reaction like urticaria is one of the most difficult in terms of diagnosis and treatment, requiring a thorough examination and a balanced, competent approach to therapy. There can be many reasons for the appearance of skin reactions, which can only be identified and eliminated by a qualified allergist. Particularly difficult is the diagnosis and treatment of chronic forms of the disease, when the symptoms of urticaria last for more than 6 weeks.

There are many factors that can lead to allergic urticaria. Provoke acute skin reactions can:

Acute skin reactions can be triggered by:

• Food products with high degree allergic activity (eggs, nuts, fruits, fish, chocolate).
• Food additives (artificial colors, stabilizers, flavor enhancers).
• Spices, seasonings.
• Medicines (antibiotics, vitamins, contraceptives).
• Inhalation allergens (house dust, animal dander, plant pollen).
• Viral and bacterial infections.
• Gastrointestinal diseases (dysbacteriosis, gastritis, cholecystitis)
• Diseases endocrine system(diabetes mellitus, thyroid dysfunction).
• Systemic diseases
• Oncological diseases

Symptoms of hives may appear as a reaction to insect bites or as a result of exposure to factors environment(reaction to sunlight, low temperatures). Allergic urticaria in adults often occurs as a result of consuming highly allergenic foods or unjustified use of medications.

Classification of the disease

Based on the nature of the symptoms, urticaria is divided into two forms:

1. Spicy
2. Chronic

Acute allergic urticaria is characterized by a sudden and violent onset. Symptoms develop quickly (from a few minutes to an hour). At proper treatment and the removal of the irritant, skin reactions quickly disappear.

The chronic form of urticaria occurs with periodic relapses. Periods of relative calm are followed by exacerbations, with stress situations most often being the provoking factor. This condition is difficult to treat and can haunt a person for many months.

The main symptom of urticaria is the appearance of a rash in the form of blisters, reminiscent of the skin's reaction to a nettle burn. The appearance of rashes is accompanied by intense skin itching. Elements of the rash can merge, forming large areas. Dense red blisters appear on the back, abdomen, and limbs. The skin around them becomes hyperemic, rough and swollen.

When an allergic reaction develops, any tissues and organs can be affected. Most often this is the digestive system and respiratory tract. In some cases, the acute form of urticaria is accompanied by Quincke's edema; the danger of complications lies in swelling of the mucous membrane of the larynx and nasopharynx. This condition threatens suffocation and development anaphylactic shock.

Manifestations of acute urticaria are accompanied by worsening general condition. Weakness, dizziness, severe headaches, chills and fever occur. From the digestive system, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea are noted. From the outside of cardio-vascular system Symptoms of arrhythmia, increased heart rate, decreased blood pressure. The disease may be accompanied neurotic disorders and sleep disturbance (insomnia) due to constant itching.

A characteristic feature of the acute form of the disease is the reversibility of symptoms. That is, after stopping the attack and eliminating the allergen, the condition of the skin quickly returns to normal. There are no pigmented spots or scars left.

Symptoms chronic urticaria less pronounced, but the rash remains on the body for quite a long time (more than 6 weeks) and subsequently periodically reappears over many months. In addition to allergies, the cause of the chronic process may be accompanying illnesses or other pathologies of internal organs.

Urticaria in childhood

Allergic urticaria in children in the vast majority of cases occurs in an acute form.
The disease almost never occurs in babies under 6 months of age. In childhood, the symptoms of allergic urticaria are most pronounced. The elements of the rash are red, swollen, and clearly visible on the skin. The itching is very intense, the child becomes irritable, restless, and has difficulty sleeping.

There is a deterioration in the general condition: the temperature rises, disorders of the digestive system are noted, headache, joint pain. The risk of angioedema increases. The main factor provoking the occurrence of allergic urticaria in young children is food allergy. It can be a consequence of the early introduction of complementary foods or appear as a reaction to new, unfamiliar foods.

An important point in the treatment of allergic urticaria is the identification and elimination of the allergen, contact with which causes such a violent reaction in the body. If you are allergic to a medication, you should immediately stop using it and resort to antihistamines. If the cause of urticaria is food allergen, it must be excluded from the patient’s diet.

It is important to examine the room for the presence of a source causing an allergic reaction. It could be anything:

• houseplants,
• dust,
• pet hair,
• dirty air conditioner filter,
• increased humidity or dry air,
• tobacco smoke.

If the source of the allergy cannot be detected, complex therapy with appointment medications, lifestyle and nutrition adjustments.

How to treat allergic urticaria if the contact allergen cannot be detected? At the first stage, doctors prescribe antihistamines

• Claritin,
• Zyrtec,
• Tavegil,
• Loratadine

These drugs reduce the production of histamine and effectively eliminate itching and unpleasant symptoms inflammation. They are usually taken one tablet once a day.

To cleanse the body of allergens and toxins, it is recommended to use enterosorbents ( Activated carbon, Sorbogel, Polysorb). To normalize the functioning of the digestive system, taking probiotics (Linex, Hilak Forte, Lactobacterin) is indicated. It is recommended to do cleansing enemas or take laxatives.

If the patient is bothered by intense itching, sedatives (calming) drugs are prescribed. Sleeping pills will help with insomnia.

In severe cases, hormonal corticosteroid drugs may be used. They must be prescribed by a doctor who individually will select the dosage and regimen. Therapy hormonal agents should be carried out in short courses, they cannot be used for a long time.

For external use, a variety of ointments, gels, lotions, menthol solutions and salicylic acid, the action of which is aimed at eliminating itching, irritation and other inflammatory symptoms. Zinc-based ointments and creams have a good effect; in severe cases, the doctor may recommend medications containing corticosteroids (Advantan, Elokom ointments).

If urticaria is complicated by the addition of Quincke's edema with damage to the mucous membranes, swelling of the face and larynx, you should immediately call ambulance, since this condition threatens the patient’s life. Before the ambulance arrives, you can try to give the patient antihistamine, do a hot foot bath and inhalation. To alleviate the general condition in acute period recommended drinking plenty of fluids and fasting.

Treatment with folk remedies

There are many traditional medicine recipes to combat the symptoms of urticaria. In combination with traditional drug therapy, these remedies help alleviate the condition and speed up recovery. Decoctions medicinal herbs add to the bath when bathing, use for external use, make compresses, lotions, applications. Before using folk remedies, you should definitely consult your doctor.

Prevention

As a preventative measure, doctors advise adhering to healthy image life, quit smoking, engage in active sports. An important point is the timely detection and treatment of concomitant diseases. With frequent infectious diseases it is necessary to sanitize possible foci of infection and strengthen the immune system.

Important preventive measure is to keep living quarters clean. It is necessary to carry out daily wet cleaning, get rid of things that collect dust (carpets, rugs, soft toys). It is recommended to replace down pillows and blankets with hypoallergenic ones filled with padding polyester.

It is best to remove animals, birds, and fish from the house. Allergens can be wool, feathers, or fish food. You should get rid of plants whose pollen provokes an allergic reaction. It is necessary to maintain optimal humidity and temperature in the rooms and avoid the penetration of tobacco smoke.

Be very careful when contacting household chemicals(washing powders, cleaning products). It is better to use during cleaning natural remedies (baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, laundry soap), and protect your hands and face with a mask and gloves.

Diet for allergic urticaria

Proper nutrition is an important part complex treatment allergic urticaria. It is necessary to completely exclude from the diet a certain set of highly allergenic foods that sensitize the body, that is, make it susceptible to any irritants.

Very often, with food allergies, it is difficult to determine the product that causes unwanted reaction. In this case, it is recommended to exclude from the menu certain products one at a time, observing the body's reaction or doing skin tests for allergens, which will allow you to accurately determine the cause of the rash.

If allergic urticaria appears in small child, it is necessary to switch to hypoallergenic milk formulas. In cases where the rash appeared after the introduction of the first complementary foods, it should be discontinued immediately. Hives may appear when the baby is switched to an adult type of diet; in such cases, you have to return to the baby diet (formula, breast milk).

The basis of the diet for allergic urticaria in adults should be neutral foods:

• Bran or whole grain bread
• Boiled dietary meat (chicken, rabbit, veal)
• Boiled, baked, stewed vegetables (except beets, tomatoes, carrots)
• Greens (dill, parsley), lettuce
• Fresh cucumbers
• Low-fat dairy products(kefir, curdled milk, yogurt, cottage cheese)
• Vegetable oils (sunflower, olive, flaxseed)
• Cereals (rice, oatmeal, buckwheat, pearl barley)
• Durum pasta
• Vegetarian soups
• Baked green or yellow apples
• Dry biscuits (biscuits, crackers)
• Boiled or steamed potatoes

After subsiding acute manifestations gradually introduced into the menu low-fat varieties fish, wheat bread, juices and fruit purees. Doctors recommend drinking more fluids. This could be regular drinking water or mineral water still, unsweetened green tea.

The patient is asked to keep a food diary, where he must record his body’s reaction to certain foods. This will help identify the allergen and eliminate it from the diet. It is better to create a diet menu together with a qualified nutritionist. He will take into account individual characteristics and select a diet that will most effectively promote recovery.

Allergic urticaria is one of the manifestations of the body's reaction to the penetration of irritating substances. It is expressed in the form of rashes on the surface of the skin. In this case, the rash resembles a nettle burn, which can be seen in numerous photographs of the disease.

Allergic urticaria appears as a rash on the surface of the skin.

The International Classification of Diseases (ICD) has assigned the code ICD-10 to allergic urticaria. This encoding contains 21 sections, which include allergic reactions ( atopic dermatitis, food allergies, etc.). In this case, urticaria is included in code 10, but belongs to section number 12. In addition, the disease has its own number in ICD-10 - L50.0. This division was created exclusively for doctors, who must maintain statistics and regulate therapy taking into account disease coding number 10. For patients, this information is not necessary.

Why does the disease occur?

Allergic urticaria can occur in both adults and children. However, it is believed that children are most susceptible to developing rashes on the surface of the skin under the influence of various irritants. The reasons for the formation of a rash can be different.

The main factor in the occurrence of urticaria is contact with an allergen. They release substances that most often negatively affect the body of adults and children. The list includes:

food (fish, nuts, seafood, eggs, honey, chocolate, berries and fruits);

additives used in food preparation (flavors, dyes, emulsifiers);

medications ( antibacterial agents, vitamins, oral contraceptives);

aeroallergens (plant pollen, animal hair, household dust);

viruses (hepatitis B, Epstein-Barr).

The causes of allergic urticaria lie in the influence of physical factors. Among them are:

• vibration.

When determining the cause of the formation of a skin rash, one should not exclude Negative consequences various chronic diseases. In adults and children, allergic urticaria may appear in the presence of:

pathologies of the liver and kidneys;

dysfunction of the gastrointestinal tract;

respiratory and urogenital lesions by fungi and viruses;

endocrine disorders ( diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism);

toxicosis;

autoimmune and systemic diseases;

tumors of various types.

If you find signs of urticaria, which can be seen in the photo, you must consult a doctor to find out the cause of the allergic disease.

Symptoms of the disease

Having seen the symptoms of allergic urticaria on the skin, a person immediately begins to compare them with the photo. To determine the disease, he needs to focus on characteristic signs.

Symptoms of allergic urticaria can be expressed to a greater or lesser extent depending on the strength of the irritant on the body.

Skin rashes appear as individual flat blisters that are pale pink or red in color.

The size of the formation can range from several millimeters to several centimeters. In the latter case, they resemble a nettle burn or a regular burn. The number of bubbles may also vary.

Blisters in allergic urticaria are characterized by clear boundaries. If you press on them, the blisters can merge with the skin and disappear. When the pressure weakens, they appear again.

Symptoms of the disease are expressed in the form of severe itching.

If the surface of the skin is scratched, the bubbles can merge and form plaques.

Besides skin rash other symptoms of the disease may appear. They are expressed in the form of nausea and vomiting. This process is caused by damage to the mucous membranes of the esophagus by the allergen.

Types of urticaria

In pictures on the Internet you can see rashes of various types, which are called urticaria. This is due to the fact that the symptoms of the disease may vary depending on the nature and type of disease.

Urticaria in children and adults can be acute or chronic. In the case of an acute form, the reaction appears immediately after exposure to the allergen. However, it can disappear as quickly as it appeared. In this case, pink-red blisters, round or shapeless, appear on the skin, as can be seen in the photo.

The chronic form is characterized by persistent symptoms that can persist for several months. It can be mild, as in the photo, or intensify with each passing month. In severe cases of the disease, blisters (Quincke's edema) may appear. In this case, the skin turns pink or white.

Chronic urticaria of an allergic nature can be:

recurrent, which is characterized by long time intervals between the onset of symptoms, elevated temperature, sweating, weakening of the body, vomiting, diarrhea;

persistent, in which infiltrate accumulates in the tissues, which is combined with edema, and when scratched, crusts, scars, and spots form.

Also in the photo you can often see types of urticaria that are caused by various exposure factors. In this case, the disease may be:

papular, when it is caused by an insect bite;

thermal, in case of contact with a heated object;

cold, when the allergen is a cold object;

aquagenic, manifested upon contact with water;

solar, which occurs under the influence of ultraviolet radiation;

pigmented, when red-brown spots appear on the skin;

foodborne, arising under the influence of irritating substances in food.

All types of urticaria in adults and children differ in the way they arise. However, it is not always possible to determine from a photo what type of disease a person has. To do this, it is necessary to carry out diagnostics in a medical institution.

Diagnosis of the disease

Sometimes allergic urticaria in children and adults can be diagnosed independently. Many parents compare the characteristic signs of the disease with photos presented on the Internet. However, such a diagnosis is not always correct.

If rashes occur, you should definitely consult a doctor. His main task during the consultation is to collect anamnesis. He finds out from the patient what factors could influence the occurrence of skin lesions. It is important for the patient to remember what preceded the development of an allergic reaction.

If negative changes were observed after eating food or taking medicines, then the doctor may order prick tests. In this case, a reaction is provoked in the body under the influence of irritants.

This method allows you to identify a dangerous substance, as well as eliminate other potential irritants. This helps reduce the likelihood of anaphylactic shock in the patient.

If the patient suffers from chronic urticaria, then a more serious examination will be required. Adults and children are prescribed:

general blood analysis;

general urine analysis;

liver tests;

analysis for the presence of an inflammatory process;

determination of the presence of helminths and dysbacteriosis.

The patient also needs to undergo fluorography, radiography chest, testing for hepatitis B viruses, Epstein-Barr.
These studies are an important step in identifying the underlying diseases that provoke the development of urticaria.

After this, the doctor prescribes medication treatment various groups, which are selected taking into account the symptoms of the disease.

Treatment of the disease

Allergic urticaria in adults and children must be treated comprehensively. This will avoid reoccurrence diseases and reduce the risk of complications.

Treatment should begin with eliminating contact with the allergen. If the reaction occurs to medicine, you need to stop taking it. If you have a food allergy, you should exclude the irritating substance from your diet.

Important attention is paid to maintaining cleanliness in the room. It is necessary to constantly carry out wet cleaning so that there is no dust or animal hair in the apartment. To limit exposure to pollen, keep windows closed or install special screens on them.

The disease must be treated by following a special hypoallergenic diet. It is important to eliminate the impact of strong food irritants on the body of adults and children. During the period of urticaria, the immune system is in a weakened state, and therefore is most susceptible to the effects of allergenic substances. During the diet, it is necessary to exclude the use of:

• Advantana;

  Fluorocort;

  Sinaflana.

In case of insomnia and nervous tension the patient may be prescribed sedatives and sleeping pills.

Treatment of allergic urticaria is successful in most cases. It is only important to prevent the disease from becoming chronic.