Definition
Urticaria is among the most frequent and bothersome, although relatively dangerous, skin diseases: this dermatosis is characterized by the formation of erythematous and oedematous lesions and small highly itchy spots on the skin, most often due to dermal edema.
Causes
There are several types of urticaria, classified on the basis of the triggering cause: contact urticaria (the result of contact with substances not tolerated by the body), pressure urticaria (expression of excessive pressure exerted on the body by an external stimulus), hives from cold, allergic urticaria (from allergens or insect bites), urticaria pigmentosa (consequence of an abnormal presence of mastocytes in the organism), cholinergic urticaria (given by anxiety, worries, stress, physical effort), genetic urticaria.
Symptoms
Although the forms of urticaria are multiple, the symptoms are almost the same: appearance of red and rounded blisters (pomfi), edema, erythema, small lesions very similar to acne, intense and incessant itching. Angioedema can also involve eyes, lips, face and extremities. Urticaria is typical of anaphylaxis.
Information on Urticaria - Medicines for the Treatment of Hives is not intended to replace the direct relationship between health professional and patient. Always consult your doctor and / or specialist before taking Urticaria - Medicines for Healing.
drugs
Sometimes, urticaria regresses spontaneously, without the need for drugs or specific treatments; in some subjects, however, dermatosis can begin in a very violent way, so much so that it even hinders social life. Just think of the violent and uninterrupted itching attacks associated with hives: in similar situations, the patient, after a specialist check, can apply drugs to the affected area, or undertake oral drug therapy.
Hot or warm water baths can lighten the symptoms; some scholars recommend an alternative treatment, which consists in applying oatmeal directly to the injured skin.
It is recommended not to rub the skin affected by hives, so as not to worsen the condition: by rubbing and scratching the skin, in fact, the synthesis of histamine is favored, responsible, in turn, for the wheals.
Treatment for urticaria consists in identifying and removing the causal agent that underlies it, as well as clearly healing the symptoms.
Antihistamines : they are the first line therapy in treating hives.
- Loratadine (eg Loratadine, Fristamin, Clarityn): indicatively, the dosage of this antihistamine is 10 mg per os, to be taken every 24 hours.
- Fexofenadine (eg Fixodin, Telfast): it is recommended to take the drug orally at a dose of 60 mg twice a day; alternatively, take 180 mg of active once a day, with water.
- Diphenhydramine (eg. Aliserin, Difeni C FN): the indicative dose for treating hives is 25-50 mg of drug every 4-6 hours, as needed. Do not exceed 300 mg every 24 hours.
- Bromfenidramina (eg Dimetane, Ilvin): take 4-8 mg of active every 6 hours, as needed. The duration of therapy depends on person; many patients reduce the dose to 2 times / day after a few days of treatment.
- Chlorpheniramine (eg Trimeton): available in the form of tablets or syrup, the dose indicated for treating hives is 4 mg, orally, every 4-6 hours. The drug can also be taken in the form of slow-release tablets: in this case, the indicative dose varies from 8 to 16 mg, to be taken by mouth every 8-12 hours, or 16 mg orally, once a day, at need. Do not exceed 32 mg a day.
- Ciproeptadine (eg. Periactin): this drug, like the previous one, is also available in the form of 4 mg tablets or syrup (0.4 mg / ml). Generally, therapy against urticaria should be started with 4 mg, to be taken by mouth three times a day. The maintenance dose is 12-16 mg per day; occasionally, it is possible to increase the dose up to 32 mg / day (do not exceed 0.5 mg / kg per day).
- Terfenadine (eg Allerzil): another antihistamine drug used in therapy for treating hives; precisely, we are talking about a non-sedating pro-drug with anti-histamine activity. As an indication, the drug is taken at a dose of 60 mg, once or twice a day, as indicated by the doctor.
- Clemastina (eg. Travegil): start therapy for urticaria by taking 1.34 mg of oral drug, twice a day. The dosage can be increased by the doctor; do not exceed 2.68 mg three times a day.
- Cetirizine (eg Rinalgit, Leviorinil, Reactine, Suspiria, Zyrtec): available both in tablets to be swallowed and in chewable sweets. It is recommended to take 5-10 mg of active per day.
- Desloratadine (Ex. Neoclarityn, Azomyr, Aerius): it is recommended to start therapy against urticaria by taking 5 mg of drug per os once a day; always continue with the same indication. The duration of therapy should be established by the doctor on the basis of the response to the treatment and on the severity of the condition.
In addition to the antihistamines just described, it is also possible to take other pharmacological substances, which act mainly on the symptoms, not so much on the cause.
- Tetracaine (or Pantocaine): belonging to the pharmacological class of local anesthetics, this drug is recommended to calm pain associated with itching, a typical symptom of hives. Before applying the product on the skin, it is recommended to thoroughly cleanse the affected area.
- Bentoquatam (eg. IvyBlock): the drug is particularly suitable for allergic forms of hives: the skin, after having been cleaned and carefully cleaned, must be covered with a thin layer of cream. In general, it is indicated for the prophylaxis of hives for those subjects sensitive to a certain external element (eg plants: nettle, oak, etc.), which cannot do without being in contact with them (eg work reasons).
- Doxepin (eg Sinequan): it is recommended to take the drug at a dose of 10 mg orally, three times a day. The duration of therapy depends on the severity of the hives. This drug is in the class of antidepressants; however, its administration on the skin has antihistamine properties, therefore it can promote healing from itching.
Notes : some drugs such as H2 antagonists (eg Cimetidine - eg Biomag, Tagamet -, Famotidine - Myliconacid -) and corticosteroids can be used in therapy to treat urticaria, even if they are second-line drugs, from use with caution, especially glucocorticoids (eg prednisone).
