Treatment of urticaria

Urticaria is a skin rash in the form of red or pale-pink areas that usually itch severely. Externally, the rash resembles nettle stings, which is why it received this name.

Urticaria can be associated with allergy, infectious diseases, stress or other factors. In many cases, it is difficult to identify the cause without examination, so it is important to see a doctor to determine what exactly caused the rash and to choose an effective treatment plan.

At Oxford Medical medical centre, we help patients eliminate the visible rash, control the course of the disease and prevent recurrent flare-ups thanks to modern diagnostics and individual therapeutic approaches.

If you are worried about urticarial rash, make an appointment with a doctor by phone or via the online booking form on the website.

In some cases, urticaria may be accompanied by angioedema (Quincke’s oedema) — swelling of the lips, eyelids, tongue or other areas, which requires urgent medical attention. Alarm signs include difficulty breathing, sudden weakness or a drop in blood pressure.

You should see a doctor if the rash does not disappear within a few days, is accompanied by pronounced itching or other systemic symptoms. Timely consultation will help determine the cause and prevent complications.

In children, urticaria has its own features related to the activity of the immune system and skin sensitivity. Urticaria in a child often develops faster than in adults and manifests with more intense itching and swelling.

The following features of the course are typical for childhood:

• rapid development of symptoms after contact with a trigger;
• more intense itching, especially at night;
• appearance of small elements that may merge into larger areas;
• short-term increase in temperature;
• swelling of the eyelids, lips or other areas;
• increased skin sensitivity after the rash has resolved.

Children also have a higher risk of systemic reactions, including swelling of the lips, tongue or difficulty breathing — such manifestations require immediate medical attention.

Most cases of urticaria in children are acute and respond well to treatment if the child is seen by a doctor in time.

During the consultation, the doctor examines the skin and takes a medical history: clarifies the relationship between the onset of the rash and food, medicines, infections, stress or other factors. This helps to form an initial hypothesis about the cause of the disease and choose the necessary scope of examinations. If necessary, allergology specialists are involved in the diagnosis, which allows for a more accurate determination of the Allergen and adjustment of further treatment tactics.

Standard diagnostic methods for urticaria include:

• complete blood count and biochemistry — help detect signs of inflammation, infectious or metabolic disorders;
• tests for parasitic infections — make it possible to rule out or confirm helminth infections that may provoke rash;
• allergy tests (skin or laboratory) — used to identify possible allergens and confirm the allergic nature of the reaction;
• assessment of thyroid function — allows detection of endocrine and autoimmune disorders associated with chronic forms of urticaria;
• immunological tests — used to assess the state of the immune system in complex cases.

If physical forms of urticaria are suspected (cold-induced, heat-induced, dermographic, etc.), the doctor may perform special provocation tests. This is also relevant if photodermatosis is suspected, when the rash occurs in response to exposure to ultraviolet light. In complex clinical situations, diagnostics may require a comprehensive approach and the involvement of several specialists to determine the cause of the reaction as accurately as possible and to choose the optimal treatment strategy.

Treatment of urticaria depends on the form, causes and intensity of symptoms, so it is always selected individually. The main goal of therapy is to reduce the rash, relieve itching, prevent new episodes and influence possible mechanisms of the reaction.

In allergic urticaria, treatment is aimed at eliminating contact with the allergen and using modern therapeutic methods that allow rapid reduction of the rash and control of further reactions of the body.

The basis of treatment is second- and third-generation antihistamines — they reduce itching, redness and swelling. In more persistent or chronic cases, other lines of therapy may be used to achieve deeper control of the immune response.

In some cases of skin rash, treatment also includes the use of creams that help reduce discomfort.

In severe forms, immunomodulatory or targeted therapies may be used. This is relevant in autoimmune mechanisms, which often underlie chronic forms of urticaria.

Self-treatment of urticaria is undesirable: it may temporarily reduce symptoms but make it more difficult to identify the real cause and delay appropriate therapy. Timely medical consultation is necessary to accurately determine the cause of the rash and choose the most effective treatment.

Prevention of urticaria is aimed at reducing the risk of recurrent rash and controlling skin condition in the long term. The set of measures is selected individually, taking into account the causes and characteristics of the disease.

The main recommendations include:

• identifying and avoiding triggers that may provoke eruptions;
• controlling stress levels, as emotional overload can aggravate symptoms of urticaria;
• adjusting the diet — excluding foods that cause individual reactions and following a gentle diet during exacerbations;
• maintaining a healthy lifestyle — sufficient sleep, moderate physical activity, avoiding abrupt temperature exposure;
• following the doctor’s recommendations regarding medications — regular intake of prescribed drugs and timely adjustment of the treatment regimen.

Regular consultations and monitoring of dynamics help reduce the frequency of relapses in both children and adults and allow timely response to changes in the course of the disease.

The cost of treatment may vary depending on the severity of the disease, the required volume of examinations and the chosen therapy method. You can find out the price of a doctor’s consultation here, and here you can see the list of all services of the private clinic in Kyiv on the pricing page.

The doctor will provide more detailed information on treatment options during the initial consultation. Make an appointment at a convenient time for you by phone or via the online booking form on the website.