Urticaria are itchy plaques or skin rashes that occur on the skin surface, with red surroundings varying in size from a few millimeters to a few centimeters, and often pale in the middle. This picture, which we define as urticaria, usually fades within 24-48 hours and does not leave a mark on the skin.
Urticaria can be seen alone, but approximately 50% is accompanied by swelling that does not collapse when pressed, which we call angioedema. can happen together. When accompanied by angioedema, subcutaneous layers other than the skin surface are also affected. Angioedema usually affects the lips, tongue, eye area, hands, feet and genital areas. In addition, there is a feeling of pressure, burning and pain rather than itching. Patients may experience itchy red skin-swelling lesions that may occur all over the body, along with swelling on the eyelids and lips.
Urticarial lesions are defined as acute if they last less than six weeks. If lesions last longer than 6 weeks, they are defined as chronic.
Urticaria/angioedema is a very common skin reaction. The risk of occurrence in humans at any time during their lifetime varies between 15-25%. We are likely to experience an urticaria attack in our lifetime. Especially acute urticaria is more common in young adults and children. Chronic urticaria is less common, at 1%, and is seen more in adults and women.
HOW IS THE URTICARIA RASH IN ADULTS
Urticaria skin Urticaria rash usually occurs suddenly in any part of our body, occurring on the surface, with red surroundings varying in size from a few millimeters to a few centimeters, and often pale in the middle. Small blisters may appear on the skin. These blisters and rashes can be the size of a pinhead or larger and are itchy. The bumps appear white or red.
Sometimes they occur in very small numbers, but sometimes they can be numerous in various parts of the body or covering the entire body. When the blisters begin to disappear, redness may remain around them, which will then disappear and the skin will return to normal. Gene The resulting lesions disappear without leaving a trace within 24 hours to 48 hours. If the redness and swelling remain for more than 24 hours and leave a slight brown mark as they disappear, if it is accompanied by other complaints such as joint pain, weakness and fever, it is necessary to consider that the urticaria is not due to allergic reasons but may be due to a more serious cause such as vasculitis affecting the veins.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF URTICARIA IN ADULTS?
While everything is normal, most of the patients say that they begin to complain of itching and rash on the body in a way that they do not understand, sometimes stating that they have itchy red skin rashes all over their body when they wake up. Skin rashes, which we define as acute urticaria, appear spontaneously and may disappear on their own.
Some of the patients say that they have itching that they cannot pinpoint and then typical urticaria lesions appear.
Urticaria sometimes occurs. How it occurs is especially noticed by the patient. It can happen when you exercise, sweat, go out in the sun, in hot or cold weather. Urticaria can be affected by psychological factors and may occur in situations of intense stress.
In an adult patient; If there is a raised, itchy red skin rash with a pale center that lasts more than 24-48 hours, if it spontaneously occurs somewhere on the body and then disappears, if it is accompanied by widespread body itching or if it is accompanied by swelling of the eyelids and lips, it is necessary to consider urticaria.
Many factors have been blamed for urticaria. The most important causes of acute urticaria are drugs, foods and infections. In chronic spontaneous urticaria, most of the time (80%-90%) the cause is not clear. In fact, when investigating the causes of urticaria, the most important thing is to take a detailed history of the patient. We are likely to find the reasons with a detailed story alone. It is very important to take an appropriate and detailed history from patients, and the causes that may be responsible for chronic urticaria should be investigated.
Patients are often disturbed by itching that they cannot pinpoint all over the body. s. Typical urticaria lesions appear after patients complain of itching. The typical lesions we see on the skin in urticaria appear in a short time and then disappear. Urticaria plaques do not remain in the same place for more than 24 hours, and lesions may recur during the day. Urticaria plaques can commonly be in the form of skin redness or raised lesions on the entire arms, legs, and trunk, or they can be a few millimeters in size, like a pinhead, sometimes pale and very similar to each other.
Many reasons for the formation of urticaria are mainly in the skin. It causes the allergy cells to release chemicals such as histamine. These substances cause the veins in that area to widen, fluid (serum) leaking out of the vein, causing them to leak into the intracutaneous area and cause itching. In addition; The same allergy cells secrete other chemicals at a later time, such as 5-6 hours. These newly secreted substances cause the lesions to last longer. As a result, skin redness, itching and swelling occur. These chemicals are eliminated from the body in a short time. Urticaria plaques disappear in one part of the body and appear in another. They generally do not stay in the same place for more than 24 hours.
Since medications and foods are among the most common causes of urticaria, tests can be performed for these. Apart from this, allergens (inhalation, contact), Transfusion reactions, Infections (bacterial fungal viral helmitic)Insect stings, rheumatic collagen tissue diseases, Malignant diseases (tumors) autoimmune diseases Many reasons can be listed, such as >(Hashimato thyroiditis).
When we look at the causes of urticaria, urticarial complaints may occur in the course of many diseases. Among these, situations such as foods, medications, common allergens, hormone treatments, environmental factors such as heat, cold, sunlight, water, pressure on the skin, emotional stress and exercise are more likely to cause hives.
WHEN TO SEE A DOCTOR FOR URTICARIA IN ADULTS
Urticaria occurs on the surface of the skin and is surrounded by red skin that ranges in size from a few millimeters to a few centimeters. These are itchy plaques or skin rashes varying in size, often with pale centres. This condition, which we define as urticaria, usually fades within 24-48 hours and does not leave a mark on the skin. Urticaria disappears without leaving a permanent scar, but since it affects the quality of life of patients and their comfort, it causes serious problems such as depression. Urticarial plaques can sometimes be a sign of a pre-existing disease or may appear during the course of the disease. Therefore, urticaria should be taken seriously and its causes should be investigated.
If urticarial rashes continue for more than 6 weeks, it is considered chronic urticaria and underlying diseases should be investigated.
- If sudden onset urticarial complaints last more than 6 weeks.
- If it is persistent and continues in the same place for a long time
- If it affects the respiratory tract
If there are other complaints such as weakness, fatigue, joint pain and dry skin, in addition to urticaria, definitely Diseases that may be related to internal medicine should also be investigated. It should be examined in detail by specialists who are trained in internal medicine and allergy diseases. In particular, infectious diseases such as autoimmune diseases, rheumatic diseases and hepatitis should be investigated.
WHAT TO DO WHEN GOING TO THE DOCTOR FOR URTICARIA IN ADULTS
While everything is normal, most of the patients usually do not understand the symptoms. He states that he suddenly starts to experience itching and rash on his body, sometimes stating that when he wakes up, he has itchy red skin rashes all over his body. Especially in patients with urticaria complaints that persist for more than 6 weeks, the cause of these complaints should be investigated. When investigating the causes of urticaria, patients' own observations and history can be extremely important.
There are some preparations you need to make before the examination in order for the examination to be better for you and your doctor. Here's what you need to do to be ready before the examination;
- The patient can note when the symptoms occur and how long they last. In cases of urticaria, sometimes foods and medications can cause complaints, even though they have been used many times before.
- We should not forget that urticaria, which has many causes, can occur for many reasons, including vitamins, herbal medicines or supplements that we use in our lives but think are not important. That's why we should write down every product we use
- Write down the questions you will ask your doctor before the examination so that they are not forgotten during the examination.
- Urticaria may sometimes occur as the first symptom of the disease or during the course of the disease. That's why we must tell about our previous diseases and their treatments. Sometimes, a hypertension medication we have been using for a long time can cause serious swelling in the throat and angioedema.
- Since there may be an underlying allergy to urticaria, your allergist may perform a skin allergy test for diagnosis. . Therefore, stop taking allergy, painkillers and depression medications 1 week before the examination.
- Bring your previous test or x-ray results with you.
HOW TO DIAGNOSE URTICARIA IN ADULTS
Urticaria occurs on the skin surface, with red surroundings varying in size from a few millimeters to a few centimeters, often pale in the middle, itchy plaques or are skin rashes. This condition, which we define as urticaria, usually fades within 24-48 hours and does not leave a mark on the skin. That's why it may not be emphasized sometimes. The underlying causes of urticaria, especially those that continue for more than 6 weeks, must be investigated.
The diagnosis of urticaria is made by anamnesis and physical examination. Before laboratory findings, a careful history of the patient must be taken and then examined.
It should not be forgotten that drug and food allergies may be the underlying causes of urticaria. Food skin tests must be performed, especially if patients have complaints about food. If foods increase complaints, it may be important whether they increase when removed from the diet and added back.
Drugs, especially those in the NSAID drug group, are known to increase urticaria attacks and related problems.
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