home conditions urticaria

This also known as nettle rash or hives. It is characterised by the development of itchy wheals (raised white or yellow lumps surrounded by an area of red inflammation).

It is amongst the 20 most common skin diseases and experienced by around 20% of the population during their lifetime. Wheals vary in size considerably.

Angioedema is a term used for the swelling of deeper dermal and subcutaneous tissues rather than the superficial tissues that Urticaria effects. This can be life threatening when the tissues of the airway swell and obstruct the airway. This is seen equally in males and females.

Dermographism is a less common form of Urticaria in which wheals form after the skin is stroked. Urticaria usually only lasts a few minutes to a few hours, and usually clear within 24 hours. However some people develop a persistent or recurrent form of the disorder.

The causes of Urticaria are often unknown. From the known mechanisms, the most common is an allergic reaction causing histamine to be released into the surrounding tissues. Histamine causes fluid to leak from tiny blood vessels into the skin tissues.

70% of chronic cases have no clear cut aggravating factors, however the following list can be triggers to the condition:

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• Drugs - most common factor in acute cases - Penicillin, Aspirin.
• Foods - the most common foods include: shellfish, strawberries, tartrazin. Also preservatives such as sodium benzoate and benzoic acid (found in pickles, sauces, instant coffee, preserved fruit juices and some tinned foods).
• Infection - chronic bacterial or viral infection can be precipitating factors in acute or chronic Urticaria. The most common being Sinus infections.
• Internal disease - a variety of diseases can produce Urticaria. The most important being Autoimmune Thyroid Disease, Systemic Lupus Erythramatosis, Malignancy.
• Physical factors -
• Contact - stinging nettles, caterpillars, jelly fish, insect bites etc.
• Temperature - exposure to cold and heat.
• Pressure - usually due to tight clothing, shoes etc., often associated with the chronic for of the disease.
• Sunlight - usually more pronounced in areas not often exposed to the sun.
• Other - more rare triggers are associated with contacting water, x-rays, vibration etc.

Traditional Chinese names translate as "Concealed rash".

Chinese Herbal Medicine can offer effective treatment for this condition.

The treatment offered via biomedicine are with antihistamines and steroid based drugs.

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