How is urticaria best treated?

Written by Qu Jing
Dermatology
Updated on November 13, 2024
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Urticaria, commonly known as hives, occurs when there is a localized swelling due to temporary increased vascular permeability of the skin and mucous membranes. It can be divided into acute urticaria and chronic urticaria. Acute urticaria often has a sudden onset. Chronic urticaria is characterized by recurrent skin lesions for more than six weeks, with episodes occurring at least twice a week, termed as chronic urticaria. The preferred treatment for acute urticaria is the use of second-generation H1 receptor antagonists with a strong sedative effect. The combination of vitamin C and calcium supplements can reduce vascular permeability and have a synergistic effect with antihistamines. For chronic urticaria, the treatment of choice is also second-generation H1 receptor antagonists. When one medication is ineffective, two to three drugs may be combined or alternated. It is also recommended to combine Chinese medicine to adjust the overall physical condition while gradually reducing the dosage of Western medicine to control the condition.

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Written by Huang Ling Juan
Dermatology
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How is urticaria caused?

There are many causes of hives, and the most common is related to genetics. If one of the parents has an allergic constitution, then the likelihood of allergies in their offspring significantly increases. Environmental factors also play a role in the occurrence of hives. For example, environments with a lot of dust or dust mites can trigger allergic reactions. Additionally, a humid living environment can promote the growth of fungi, which can also cause hives. The occurrence of hives is also related to food. Individuals who are allergic to proteins might experience hives when consuming high-protein foods like fish, shrimp, crabs, milk, and eggs. Furthermore, viral infections, bacterial infections, and parasite infections can also trigger hives.

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Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
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Characteristics of papular urticaria

Papular urticaria is a type of allergic reaction, generally associated with contact with irritants, or bites from mosquitoes and fleas. The likelihood of occurrence increases if small animals are kept at home. Typically, small red papules or red wheals appear on localized areas of the body or extensively, with a transparent blister on top. The itching is quite severe, and the blisters are prone to bursting when scratched. Once symptoms appear, it is crucial to treat them with proper medication, and care should be taken to prevent infection if the blisters are scratched open. To prevent recurrence, it is advisable not to keep small animals at home, to frequently disinfect clothes, sheets, and duvet covers by exposing them to sunlight to eliminate mites or fleas, and to maintain a standard diet and lifestyle habits.

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Written by Zhang Shu Kun
Traditional Chinese Medicine
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Where to apply moxibustion for acute urticaria

In cases of acute urticaria, it is advised to promptly visit a hospital and undergo treatment under the guidance of a doctor. This is because moxibustion is a slow treatment method and is not very effective for acute urticaria. However, if urticaria occurs in normal circumstances, it can be slowly treated through moxibustion, which can achieve therapeutic purposes. Moxibustion mainly plays a supplementary role. Initially, moxibustion can be applied to acupoints such as Quchi, Dazhui, and Sanyinjiao to maintain health and achieve effective conditioning.

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Written by Zhang Jing
Dermatology Department
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Is there a difference between measles and urticaria?

Measles and hives are two completely different skin diseases. In terms of etiology, measles is caused by a viral infection, while hives are an allergic skin disease. Clinically, measles presents with diffuse red rash all over the body, accompanied by high fever and mucous membrane catarrhal symptoms, such as red eyes, excessive eye discharge, and so on. On the other hand, hives present with wheal-like skin lesions. Wheals refer to pale red or skin-colored raised lesions that can vary in shape and are usually quite large. They typically develop very rapidly and then subside within a few hours, with most wheals disappearing within 24 hours. Hives are also usually accompanied by severe itching.

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Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
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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.