What is a demographic urticaria? Dermographic urticaria: causes and treatment

Demographic urticaria (so often mistakenly called dermographic urticaria) is considered one of the most common pathologies, which is diagnosed in 5% of the world's population. The disease makes itself felt by the appearance of a rash on the skin. In this case, itching, characteristic of other forms of the disease, is absent or weakly expressed. From our article you will learn the main causes of the appearance of the disorder, as well as the methods of its treatment offered by modern medicine.

Features of the disease

Urticaria is a skin disease in which an allergic reaction occurs due to the action of a particular agent. It manifests itself in the form of redness and edema of individual parts of the epidermis. A little later, blisters with the size from 1 mm to 5-7 cm are formed here. The foci of the pathological process are very similar to the burns from the nettle. This disease can occur in both adults and children.

Demographic urticaria, more precisely, dermographic, is considered not very common pathology of skin. At the site of the allergic reaction, there is never inflammation. The disease is not accompanied by headaches or loss of consciousness. Usually, his symptoms go away in a few hours, so many people do not rush to get help from a doctor. In fact, the doctor's consultation will not be superfluous. He will be able to determine the etiology of the disease, and in his severe forms will appoint the right treatment.

The main causes of skin disorders

The appearance of rashes on the skin is most often due to various mechanical effects. These include insect bites, combing and rubbing, rubbing clothes. Demographic urticaria also does not bypass the small children. In them, the reaction of the epidermis can be the result of moving games, during which they receive scratches and bruises.

The exact causes of the development of the disease could not be established. However, physicians identify a whole group of factors that contribute to the onset of the disease:

• Hereditary predisposition;
• Frequent stress;
• Pathology of internal organs;
• NSAID administration;
• Violation of the thyroid gland;
• The presence of neoplasms in the body.

Often the pathological process is accompanied by diseases that significantly weaken the body's immune forces.

The first manifestations

What are the symptoms of demographic urticaria? The disease does not affect the general well-being of a person. For him are not characteristic signs that appear with standard allergic reactions. These include tearing, nasal congestion, sneezing, shortness of breath.

Both in adults and in children with demographic urticaria, there are similar symptoms. First, traces appear on the site of skin contact with the stimulus. It can be stripes or other shapes. In its form, traces accurately reproduce the pattern, which remained on the skin after the action of the agent-stimulus.

After a while, the damaged area acquires a characteristic puffiness. Stripes or other marks first blush, then swell and begin to rise above the surface of the skin. Sometimes there are scars or blisters. These symptoms can persist for several hours.

When should I see a doctor?

If you suspect a demographic urticaria, you can first carry out a simple test at home. To do this, in the forearm area you need to scratch a well-ground pencil mesh. After a few minutes, white stripes will first appear on this spot, followed by pink traces. They may slightly rise above the surface of the skin. Normally, such traces disappear in about an hour. In addition, the strips should not itch or hurt. This simple test allows you to determine if you have a demographic urticaria. The photo of the results of the procedure itself is presented just above.

After diagnosis at home, you must visit a dermatologist. The detection of the disease usually does not cause difficulties. To confirm the final diagnosis, the doctor should examine the epidermis of the patient and make several skin tests. Sometimes it is necessary to consult outside specialists. For example, a parasitologist helps to identify the presence of pathogenic flora, and the endocrinologist assesses the thyroid function.

Medication Therapy

As already mentioned above, specific treatment with this disease is extremely rare. Usually the symptoms disappear on their own within a few hours or days. However, they still deliver aesthetic discomfort to many patients. Therefore, they are interested in the question, than treating the demographic urticaria.

Therapy should be started with the first-generation antihistamines. Among them are the following medicines: Zirtek, Tavegil, Claritin, Cetirizin. They relieve the symptoms of the pathological process, and noticeable relief comes in 2-3 hours. Therapy is usually reduced to a single pill before bedtime.

If for any reason the patient refuses to take the pills, you can replace them with ointments. For example, the gel "Fenistil" perfectly removes itching and inflammation. "Drapolen Cream" effectively fights with scars and small scars, characteristic for such pathology as demographic urticaria.

It is recommended to treat chronic form of the disease with antihistamines of the second generation. These are such drugs as "Tagamet", "Zantak" and "Bricanil". When the listed drugs do not give a positive result, it is advisable to prescribe oral steroids and physiotherapy procedures.

It should be noted that only a doctor can choose specific drugs for treatment. Self-management often ends in a lamentable result.

The help of traditional medicine

The mild form of the disease often does not require specific therapy. To eliminate unwanted symptoms, you can use the prescriptions of folk healers.

Especially effective is the decoction of the broth. It should be brewed as tea and consumed during the day in small portions. Celery juice is also very useful. Every day you should drink 1/3 cup of delicious medicine. Also in this juice you can moisten the cotton wool disc and treat them with the affected places.

Prognosis for recovery

Demographic urticaria belongs to the category of curable diseases. After the beginning of therapy, noticeable improvements occur the next day. The mild form of the disease completely passes within three days. 8% of patients may have a complicated course of the pathological process. In this case, doctors diagnose "chronic demographic urticaria." The reasons for its appearance are most often due to strong stress and psycho-emotional overload.

Preventive measures

Specific preventive measures for the disease have not been developed, because the exact reasons for its occurrence remain unknown until now. To prevent skin allergic reactions, doctors recommend adhering to the following rules:

• Prefer dresses made from natural fabrics;
• Minimize stressful situations;
• Refrain from visiting saunas;
• Do not use hard washcloths;
• To undergo a preventive examination.

Remember that with timely access to a doctor, any illness is easier to cure. Be healthy!