Urticaria is commonly known as hives or urticaria. It is a disease that can be seen in 10-20% of the population. The disease progresses with attacks of intense itching, redness and swelling on the skin. Urticaria has a round or oval appearance. Sometimes it may occur in the form of large plaques. Colorless, very visible swellings (angioedema) are observed in 40% of patients in the lips, tongue, throat, eyelids, hands, feet and genital areas. These swellings are asymmetrical and easily noticed. Urticaria and angioedema heal within 24 hours without leaving a trace and may reoccur in the following days. Urticaria usually prefers to occur in the evening. Angioedema may occur alone without urticaria in some patients. The frequency of urticaria and angioedema attacks varies from patient to patient. There are two types: acute and chronic. If the disease lasts less than 6 weeks, it is called acute urticaria, and if it lasts longer than 6 weeks, it is called chronic urticaria.
Causes of urticaria: Infections, medications, foods can be the cause of urticaria, as well as some chronic diseases (heapatit, thyroiditis, hyperthyroidism, rheumatic and autoimmune diseases). It can also be seen together with immune diseases, inflammatory bowel diseases). Especially in the chronic form of urticaria, no cause can be detected. The type of urticaria for which the cause cannot be determined is called idiopathic urticaria. Antibiotics, especially painkillers with anti-rheumatic properties, and radiocontrast substances used in MRI (magnetic rosenance) and CT (computed tomography) may cause urticaria. Stress, anti-rheumatic painkillers, infections can trigger urticaria attacks. Some physical factors such as pressure, sweating, cold and heat can also trigger urticaria. For example, the appearance of urticaria in areas squeezed by underwear and socks is related to pressure. Another example is urticaria, which begins when entering the cold sea or when the body warms up, and is related to cold and heat.
Contrary to popular belief, idiopathic urticaria and angioedema do not cause life-threatening by blocking the airway and are not a contagious disease. However, itching and swelling greatly reduce the quality of life. Unless treated, patients frequently apply to the emergency room.
Blood tests and allergy skin test (skin prick test) are performed to investigate the causes of urticaria. Blood tests and allergies If GI tests are found to be normal, idiopathic urticaria and/or angioedema is diagnosed. If the cause of urticaria is food or drug allergy, when these foods and drugs are stopped, the disease will completely resolve without the need for medication. In cases where the cause cannot be determined, the disease improves with medication after a while. Urticaria treatment duration varies depending on the patient. Treatment begins with anti-histamines, and severe chronic urticaria and angioedema attacks are suppressed with short-term cortisone treatment. However, cortisone treatment is not given in the long term due to its side effects. If there is no response to anti-histamines, subcutaneous anti-IgE treatment is applied every 28 days. If there is no response to these treatments, different drug treatments are started.
Urticaria and angioedema were diseases that were difficult to treat in the past, but today they are no longer an incurable disease.
I wish you healthy days….
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