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Chronic Urticaria
Urticaria is not contagious.
Urticaria is a hypersensitive skin disease related to the immune system, often occurring in patients with allergic constitutions. Urticaria is not contagious, so there is no need to worry about that. The causes of urticaria are mainly related to food, food additives, viral or bacterial infections, medications, and environmental factors such as climate and pollen. Therefore, if urticaria occurs, it is crucial to promptly identify the allergen and actively avoid triggers to prevent its occurrence. If urticaria does occur, it is essential to seek medical advice promptly.
How long does it take for papular urticaria to be considered chronic?
Papular urticaria is usually referred to as insect bite dermatitis, with the course of the condition generally lasting about a week; if it extends beyond a week, it is considered chronic. The occurrence of papular urticaria is associated with bites from mosquitoes, mites, fleas, etc. In terms of treatment, topical applications such as calamine lotion or corticosteroid creams can be used, including mometasone furoate gel and hydrocortisone butyrate cream. For significant itching, oral antihistamines can also be taken, such as fexofenadine hydrochloride tablets or cetirizine hydrochloride oral solution, while avoiding washing with hot water.
Treatment methods for chronic urticaria
Urticaria with a duration of more than six weeks without healing, occurring more than twice a week, is called chronic urticaria. Chronic urticaria, due to repeated occurrences and severity, affects the quality of life and therefore requires active treatment. Urticaria, commonly known as hives, and in traditional Chinese medicine called "addiction rash," is caused by the dilation and increased permeability of small blood vessels in the skin and mucous membranes, resulting in a localized edematous response characterized by erythematous wheals and itching. The onset of urticaria is rapid, and it fades quickly without leaving a trace, coming and going like a shadow. Urticaria is caused by factors that lead to vascular dilation, increased vascular permeability, smooth muscle contraction, increased gland secretion, and localized or systemic allergic symptoms in the skin, mucous membranes, respiratory tract, and digestive tract. Therefore, the treatment principles for chronic urticaria are: first, to actively seek out and eliminate the cause. Some cases of urticaria are caused by certain foods, such as beef, lamb, seafood, tropical fruits, etc. Others are drug-induced. Some may relate to airborne dust mites, pollen, etc. External factors like temperature and sunlight may also trigger outbreaks. By analyzing the timing and locations of urticaria occurrences or worsenings, one can investigate potential causes. Second, if the cause is unknown and no triggering factors have been identified, symptomatic treatment should be started, primarily using oral antihistamines and topical calamine lotion to relieve itching. Third, in cases of acute onset with symptoms like difficulty breathing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath, it is advisable to immediately seek medical attention at a hospital. Fourth, recurrent urticaria, aside from external triggers, is related to the body's own immune strength. At this point, it is recommended to seek treatment at an established traditional Chinese medicine hospital for herbal regulation, and to gradually reduce antihistamine medication, which can be an effective approach.
Chronic urticaria has persisted for two years and has not improved for a long time. What should I do?
Chronic urticaria, which has persisted for two years, requires a treatment approach combining Chinese and Western medicines. It is necessary to use some anti-allergic medications which can be selected under a doctor's guidance, such as Ketotifen Fumarate Tablets, Desloratadine Dispersible Tablets, Olopatadine Hydrochloride Tablets, and Chlorcyclizine Hydrochloride Tablets. Additionally, combining Chinese traditional medicine or patented Chinese medicine such as Cicada Itch-Relief Capsules and Moisture-Nourishing Itch-Relief Capsules can be beneficial. Urticaria is a type of chronic skin, an allergic skin disease, characterized by complex causes and stubborn conditions, often resulting in poor treatment outcomes and frequent relapses. Chronic urticaria mainly presents with erythema and wheals, accompanied by itching. It is important to avoid contact with allergens when experiencing chronic urticaria. Dietary restrictions, especially avoiding high-protein foods and pungent items, are also crucial. (Medications should be used under the guidance of a doctor.)
urticaria symptoms
Acute urticaria manifests as sudden severe itching of the skin, quickly followed by hives of various sizes. In severe cases, symptoms can include palpitations, restlessness, nausea, vomiting, and other signs of anaphylactic shock. Chronic urticaria is characterized by recurrent outbreaks of hives, often lasting for several months or years.
Measles and Urticaria Distinction
Measles and hives have significant differences. Firstly, hives are an allergic disease and are not contagious, whereas measles is a viral infectious disease that can be spread through contact. Secondly, the treatment for hives mainly involves antiallergics, while the treatment for measles mainly includes symptomatic and antiviral therapies. However, regardless of whether it is measles or hives, it is necessary to seek medical attention promptly after onset.
Methods for Curing Chronic Urticaria
Chronic urticaria is relatively difficult to cure completely. Clinically, antihistamine drugs are usually chosen for treatment. Options include fexofenadine hydrochloride tablets, olopatadine hydrochloride tablets, or levocetirizine dihydrochloride tablets. If conventional medications do not effectively control chronic urticaria, low-dose hormone therapy or immunosuppressants may also be considered. Additionally, since chronic urticaria is somewhat related to a decrease in body immunity, it is necessary to use drugs that enhance the immune system alongside treatment. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and therapies tailored to individual conditions can also be used. Furthermore, acupuncture, cupping, and acupoint injection are treatment methods that can be effective for managing chronic urticaria.
How to Distinguish Between Papular Urticaria and Urticaria
Papular urticaria, also known as insect bite dermatitis, is a different disease from urticaria. Urticaria, also known as wheals, is called yinzhen in traditional Chinese medicine, and it is a localized edema of the skin and mucous membranes due to temporary increased vascular permeability. For most patients with urticaria, the exact cause cannot be identified. Common causes include foods, such as animal proteins and certain food additives that induce urticaria. Urticaria can also be triggered by certain infections as allergens, as well as by certain medications such as penicillin, serum products, various vaccines, sulfonamides, etc. Additionally, common inhalants such as pollen, animal dander, dust, fungal spores, dust mites, and volatile chemicals can also trigger urticaria. Papular urticaria is characterized by a small blister in the center of a reddish area, often resulting from bites or stings of various insects like mosquitoes, mites, bees, etc., or from irritation by toxic sap on the skin. Improvement can be seen once removed from the allergenic environment.
The difference between papular urticaria and urticaria
Papular urticaria is an allergic reaction caused by direct contact with irritants or insect bites such as mosquitoes. The cause of the disease is relatively accurate, and treatment typically involves disinfecting clothes, bed sheets, and duvet covers by exposing them to sunlight, avoiding contact with small animals, and common antiallergic medications can cure it quickly. The causes of common urticaria are more complex and often unclear; identifying the allergens usually requires allergy tests in hospitals, and the treatment is more complicated than that for papular urticaria. Common antiallergic drugs can cure it in the short term. However, some cases of urticaria that enter a chronic phase can be very troublesome to treat, with lengthy treatment times and poor outcomes.
Chronic urticaria is afraid of heat or cold?
Urticaria, commonly known as wheals or hives, is referred to as 'Yinzhen' in Chinese medicine. It results from temporary increased vascular permeability in the skin and mucous membranes that causes localized edema. Chronic urticaria is defined as recurrent skin lesions for more than six weeks, with outbreaks occurring at least twice a week. Symptoms of chronic urticaria are generally mild overall, with varying frequency and intensity of hives that can persist for months or even years. Most cases of chronic urticaria are associated with infections or systemic diseases. Most patients with chronic urticaria are heat-sensitive; their itching worsens with heat exposure and the wheals are bright red. However, there is a special type of chronic urticaria known as cold-induced urticaria. This type is rare and has familial ties, usually associated with autosomal dominant inheritance. Another more common type is acquired cold-induced urticaria, which manifests after exposure to cold air, water, or objects. The exposed or contacted areas develop wheals. In severe cases, symptoms can include localized numbness, chest tightness, palpitations, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and even fainting or shock. Consuming cold beverages might also cause swelling in the mouth or throat.