Urticaria is a disease that is known as "hives" among the people and is characterized by itchy, raised and reddened rashes on the skin. Urticaria; It causes severe itching, blistering rashes, and insomnia, leading to a serious deterioration in the quality of life.
What are the symptoms of urticaria?
Urticaria is a disease that progresses with attacks. Severe itching and blisters are observed on the body. The bumps disappear without leaving any traces in 1-2 hours to 12 hours, while they fade in one part of the body, new ones continue to form in other parts. These bumps usually intensify in the evening and disappear in the morning. Rashes can appear all over the body. Sometimes “angioedema” is added to the picture of urticaria. In angioedema, swelling of the lips and eyelids and accordingly closing of the eyes, difficulty in breathing, wheezing, bifurcation in the voice, difficulty in swallowing and difficulty in breathing are observed. Because angioedema can be life-threatening, it requires immediate intervention.
What is the difference between acute urticaria and chronic urticaria?
Urticaria is usually classified according to its duration. If urticaria lasts less than 6 weeks, it is considered as acute urticaria, and if it lasts longer, it is considered as chronic urticaria. . While acute urticaria is frequently observed in children and young adults; chronic urticaria is mostly seen in female patients between the ages of 20-50.
What are the causes of urticaria?
The causes of acute urticaria include infections, respiratory allergens, drugs and foods. takes. Among the drugs, antibiotics, pain relievers, especially penicillin and penicillin-derived drugs take the first place. Although our patients persistently want to find the cause of urticaria, the cause cannot be found, especially in 70-80% of chronic urticaria cases.
Is urticaria an allergy?
Although urticaria is often known as "allergy" among the public, in reality, allergy is not considered among the common causes of urticaria.
Does stress trigger urticaria?
Stress is one of the factors that trigger urticaria.
Is allergy testing necessary in urticaria?
Contrary to popular belief, allergy tests are not necessary in urticaria, except in certain situations. There is no need for unnecessary laboratory tests except in certain situations. Contrary to popular belief, the allergy test called "Prick test" has almost no place in the diagnosis of urticaria, except in special cases.
How does urticaria affect the quality of life?
Urticaria seriously affects the quality of life. Patients describe themselves as constantly worried and stressed. Urticaria; It causes sleep disturbance, fatigue, social isolation, loss of energy, difficulties in sexual life, restrictions in occupation and housework, and thus deterioration in quality of life in patients.
Should I follow a certain diet in urticaria?
Except in some cases and types of the disease, our patients do not need to have a very special diet and gluten-free diet.
Is there a cure for urticaria?
There is more than one treatment for the disease. Antihistamine drugs are used in the treatment of all urticaria. There are new and modern drugs administered by injection in unresponsive cases. New drugs are expected to come into use in the future as well.
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