Hives: causes, symptoms, treatment methods. How to get rid of hives: drugs

Allergy is a very common problem. This pathology, as is known, is associated with an inadequate response of the immune system to a particular substance. Allergic pathologies are diverse, they are accompanied by different symptoms - some bring discomfort to life, and others can be deadly.

Hives are called one of the most common allergic diseases, which is accompanied by the appearance on the skin of watery small blisters (as with a burn from nettles). Naturally, patients are interested in additional information. For example, what are the causes of the disease? How to recognize an allergy yourself? How to get rid of urticaria and is it possible to heal once and for all? Answers to these questions will be useful to many readers.

What is urticaria?

Today, it is quite often diagnosed, for example, urticaria in children. Symptoms and treatment of this ailment, meanwhile, are rather ambiguous. The fact is that the term "urticaria" unites a whole group of diseases of allergic origin. They are accompanied by characteristic symptoms - on the skin suddenly appear watery blisters of different sizes, which, however, go away after 1-2 days. Information about this disease was first recorded in the 4th century BC by Hippocrates.

The mechanism of this allergic reaction is as follows. At the first ingression of an allergen (a substance to which a person has an increased sensitivity), the immune system produces specific protein antibodies (usually IgM). They accumulate by special cells, for example, basophils and mast cells. In the same structures, biologically active substances - serotonin, histamine, heparin and some others - accumulate. When the allergen re-enters the body, its molecules combine with antibodies, and subsequently - with mast cells, which causes the release of histamine and other active substances directly into the blood and tissues.

Because of the increase in the level of histamine, swelling of the skin tissues, enlargement of small vessels, itching and other signs of allergy are observed . It is according to this scheme develops hives. Symptoms and treatment in adults (and in children too) directly depend on the mechanism of development and the causes of allergies. This is why it is worth familiarizing yourself with the risk factors more carefully.

Causes of urticaria in adults and children

Of course, for each patient the most important issue is the successful treatment of the disease. But in order to understand how to get rid of urticaria, you should first become acquainted with the mechanism of the emergence of this pathology. Since this is an allergic reaction, the basis of its development is the contact of the immune system with the allergen. The causes of urticaria in children, as well as in adults, can be very different. But all of them can be divided into several large groups:

• To begin with it is necessary to talk about the influence of the external environment. Coldness, contact with water, exposure to ultraviolet rays, radiation - all this can cause an allergic reaction.
• If you are interested in the most common causes of urticaria in children, then it is worth paying attention to food, because in most cases it is they that provoke an allergic reaction in childhood. The most active allergens include nuts, honey, cocoa and chocolate, cow milk, seafood, eggs, as well as some fruits and vegetables (especially people who suffer from allergies to citrus fruits and strawberries).
• What causes hives? Quite often it is a side effect of taking medications, in particular antibiotics. Especially often the allergy develops with the use of tetracyclines, rifampicin, penicillins. Potentially dangerous drugs include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. By the way, the reaction can develop gradually - often the first signs of urticaria appear 14 days after the start of taking antibiotics.
• The causes of allergy in adults can be in contact with various chemically aggressive substances, including latex, detergents and household cleaners.
• Insect bites (as a rule, wasps, bees and hornets) can also provoke a rash.

If you are wondering about what hives happen, you should understand that not always the reaction starts as a result of contact with the external environment. Quite often, the causes can be hidden inside the body. Weakened immune system, hormonal disorders, dysbacteriosis, autoimmune diseases, chronic fungal and parasitic diseases - all this can be attributed to risk factors.

What symptoms are accompanied by the disease?

Quite often people face such an unpleasant problem as hives. Symptoms and treatment in adults are important points, so it is worthwhile to dwell on them in more detail. So what signs accompany the disease and can you see it yourself?

In fact, hives are accompanied by characteristic skin changes. Blisters with watery contents start to appear on the skin - they somehow resemble burns from contact with nettles, which, in fact, determined the name of the allergic reaction. A rash can be present in almost any part of the body.

Most often there is hives on the arms, legs, less often on the back and stomach. Blisters are usually small, but can sometimes increase and reach 10 cm in diameter. By the way, more often they go down already 24 hours after the appearance, leaving no traces on the skin (scars, pigment spots, vascular nets).

The second sign of urticaria is the itching, which intensifies in the evening and at night. By the way, itch can and "clean" areas of the skin (they do not have rashes). Burning and soreness in this pathology are absent. Their appearance may indicate the development of Quincke's edema and other complications.

Classification: forms and types of urticaria

To date, there are many ways to classify this ailment. For example, an allergy can be acute and chronic (in most cases, its causes can not be determined). It is important and localization of blisters on the skin - the most common urticaria on the hands, but rashes can appear on the skin of the legs, face, abdomen, back, etc.

Depending on the reasons, the following forms are distinguished:

• Aerogenic urticaria (allergens enter the body through the respiratory tract, for example, by inhaling pollen, spores of mold fungi, animal hair, etc.);
• Medicinal;
• Autoimmune;
• Idiopathic (this diagnosis is made if, despite all the tests, the causes of the allergic reaction can not be detected);
• Infectious (allergy develops against the background of the invasion of the body by bacteria, parasites, viruses);
• Physical allergy (reaction occurs when physical factors influence, for example, when it comes into contact with water, when cold or pressure affects the body);
• Urticaria on nervous soil arises because of increased excitability, overstrain of the nervous system (quite difficult to treat and relatively often diagnosed in children).

Methods of diagnosis: what tests should I do?

Certainly, when the first symptoms appear, it is better to consult a doctor. The specialist will be able to tell if there is an allergic reaction. As a rule, examining the skin and collecting an anamnesis already give rise to a suspicion of the presence of pathology. When analyzing blood, it can be noted the increase in ESR and the level of leukocytes, as well as a decrease in the number of red blood cells - this indicates a violation of the immune system.

Further tests are conducted to determine the allergen. Quite informative are skin tests - small doses of various groups of potentially dangerous substances are injected under the skin, after which the reaction is monitored. In addition, hormone levels can be analyzed (changes in the hormonal background often cause an inadequate response of the immune system to stimuli), examination of feces for the presence of parasites in the intestine, etc. Diagnosis will help to make the most effective treatment regimen.

How to get rid of hives? Conservative treatment

Immediately it is necessary to say that therapy largely depends on the severity of the allergic reaction, as well as the nature of the allergen. Of course, first of all you need to eliminate contact with a potentially dangerous substance. After this, a treatment regimen is prepared. So how to get rid of hives?

As a rule, patients are prescribed antihistamines. There are two generations of these drugs. Most often today used drugs of the second generation, as they do not cause addiction, drowsiness and other side effects. To relatively safe tablets include "Loratadin", "Desloratidine", "Zirtek", "Claritin". In the event that these drugs do not have the desired effect, the treatment is carried out with the help of first-generation drugs. "Dimedrol", "Diazolin", "Tavegil", "Suprastin" from urticaria are used most often.

In addition, therapy may include the use of ointments. These drugs can either contain or do not contain hormones. Naturally, non-hormonal drugs are safer. Unfortunately, they are not always effective. To the most popular today include such ointments as "Soventol" and "Fenistil-gel". They help to remove puffiness and itching, improve the patient's well-being.

In more severe cases, hormone-containing drugs are used to eliminate cutaneous manifestations of allergy. For example, prednisolone ointment is often used . From hives, judging by the reviews, it helps not bad. To the list of drugs for external use can be attributed and "Lokoid", "Cloveit", "Laticort", "Dermovayt."

First aid for an allergic reaction

Of course, first you need to make sure that there are no symptoms of Quincke's edema or anaphylactic shock. Further actions depend on what caused the allergic reaction. If there is reason to believe that urticaria is associated with medication, therapy should be discontinued. If the blisters began to appear on contact with the cream, cleanser, powder, then the skin should be rinsed immediately with warm water.

With a strong food allergy, you can take an enterosorbent to quickly remove the allergen from the digestive system. You can also try to rinse the stomach. Appeared blisters can be treated with a special remedy - ointment from allergic urticaria will do. Sometimes it is advisable to take an antihistamine drug ("Loratidine", "Tavegil").

The right diet for hives

Naturally, if the allergic reaction is associated with the use of some food products, then allergens should be immediately excluded from the diet. Sometimes a person can determine for himself what kind of food his allergy is, in some cases special tests are performed for this.

On the other hand, even if the appearance of a skin reaction is in no way connected with food, the right diet will help to regulate the digestive system, quickly eliminate external signs of allergy, improve well-being. So it is possible at a hive, and that it is impossible?

The diet should necessarily include porridge, boiled meat, light soups. Vegetables and fruits can be consumed, but they must first be cleaned, boiled or frozen (such treatment destroys allergenic substances). Be sure to drink enough water (at least 2-3 liters per day).

But products that contain preservatives, dyes, emulsifiers and other additives should be avoided. The same applies to potentially dangerous fruits, vegetables, nuts, chocolate and milk. It is necessary to give up for a while the tonic drinks (especially coffee) and alcohol. This principle of nutrition helps the body to recover faster.

Complications of hives: how dangerous can an allergy be?

According to statistics, in about 40% of cases, urticaria is combined with other, more dangerous allergic diseases, including Quincke's edema and anaphylactic shock. Naturally, such reactions are accompanied by characteristic features.

For example, the early signs of severe allergies include a sharp drop in blood pressure, sometimes until a loss of consciousness. Perhaps the appearance of acute pain in the abdomen (especially often observed in reactions to food). Edema of the neck, tongue, lips, breathing problems, hoarseness, hoarseness in the voice, lack of air - these are all good reasons for calling an ambulance team. This is especially true when developing urticaria in children. Symptoms (and treatment, respectively, too) may be different, so diagnosis and first aid to small patients is the prerogative of a doctor. Self-medication in this case is unacceptable.

Are there any preventive measures?

Sometimes it is much easier to prevent the appearance of a problem than to think how to get rid of hives. Unfortunately, there are no medications or other specific preventive measures. But, knowing about what causes hives in adults and children, you can try to avoid dangerous situations.

Avoid contact with potentially hazardous substances. For example, it is recommended to follow the principles of healthy eating, to stop using high-allergenic foods (strawberries, chocolate, honey, nuts, coffee, etc.). Choose high-quality cleaning products, powders. If you have to work with chemicals, be sure to use protective clothing, including gloves.

Doctors are advised to always carry antihistamines with them (for example, Suprastin, Loratadin) and take them before the rash appears. It is better to wear loose clothes made from natural fabrics that do not irritate the skin. In order to get rid of itching, you can take a cool shower or bath with the addition of a decoction of oatmeal.