- 1. Avoid the causes
- 2. Use of antihistamines
- 3. Use of corticosteroid medications
- 4. Association of antihistamines and corticosteroids
Hives, which often correspond to an allergic skin reaction, are curable when the cause is quickly identified and treated. Symptoms may disappear spontaneously or treatment may be needed to relieve the intense discomfort it causes, so guidance from a doctor is important.
When urticaria symptoms last more than 6 weeks, it becomes chronic and, therefore, it can be more difficult to control, in which case medical advice is even more important. Learn how to identify hives.
The best way to treat urticaria is to try to identify if there is a cause that is causing the symptoms and to avoid it as much as possible, so that the urticaria does not recur. However, these causes can be very varied, including from food, to the use of medicines and some objects. Thus, identifying the cause of the problem can be quite a difficult task.
The main forms of treatment for urticaria are:
1. Avoid the causes
The simplest and most effective way of treating urticaria is to identify the agent that causes the symptoms and thus avoid contact. The most common causes of triggering an allergic skin reaction are:
- Consumption of some types of food, especially eggs, peanuts, shellfish or nuts; Frequent use of medications, such as antibiotics, Aspirin or Ibuprofen; Contact with some everyday objects, mainly made of latex or nickel; Mites or contact with animal hair; Insect bites; Physical stimuli, such as skin pressure, cold, heat, excessive exercise or sun exposure; Frequent infections, such as flu, colds or urinary infections; Exposure to some plants or pollen.
To help identify what may be causing the hives to appear, the allergist can do allergy tests that allow you to identify some specific causes, such as sensitivity to mites or animal fur, for example. Understand how these types of tests work. Blood tests may also be useful to rule out other possible causes of hives.
However, when it is not possible to find the cause through the various allergy tests available, it is recommended to keep a food and medication diary, trying to identify whether any of these may be causing or aggravating the hives.
2. Use of antihistamines
The use of antihistamine drugs, popularly known as anti-allergy drugs, is recommended when it is not possible to identify the cause, it is difficult to avoid contact with the urticaria triggering agent or when the symptoms are very uncomfortable and can disrupt the day's activities -to-day. Thus, it is recommended to consult the allergist so that the best antihistamine for each case is indicated, to help relieve symptoms.
Generally, this type of medication can be used for a long period of time, as it does not have many side effects, and can be taken daily to reduce symptoms, such as itching and redness of the skin.
In addition, some homemade techniques, such as applying cold compresses to the skin on the affected areas, help to reduce the development of symptoms and the discomfort caused by hives. See a recipe for a great home remedy to relieve urticaria.
3. Use of corticosteroid medications
When episodes of very intense symptoms appear, which do not improve with the use of antihistamines, the doctor may increase the dose or recommend the use of corticosteroid medications, such as Prednisolone, which has a potent anti-inflammatory effect, but which also presents many side effects, such as weight gain, high blood pressure, diabetes or weakening of the bones, and should therefore be used for a short time and always under medical guidance.
4. Association of antihistamines and corticosteroids
The joint use of antihistamines and corticosteroids is indicated by the doctor in the case of chronic urticaria, which is when the symptoms last for more than 6 weeks, are intense, appear frequently or never disappear. Thus, treatment for this type of urticaria is done with antihistamines, which can be completed with the use of corticosteroids, such as Hydrocortisone or Betamethasone, which greatly relieve symptoms, even when the cause of the urticaria is not avoided.
In addition to antihistamines and corticosteroids, there are other treatments that can help resolve the most difficult to treat urticaria, such as cyclosporine, omalizumab, among others. Learn more about Omalizumab.
In cases where urticaria is accompanied by severe symptoms, such as swelling of the tongue or lips or difficulty breathing, for example, the doctor may recommend the use of an epinephrine pen (adrenaline) so that it is injected immediately into the person as soon as these symptoms arise. See when it is indicated to use the epinephrine pen.
Patients with chronic urticaria should be alerted by an allergist to any signs of alarm or seriousness that may arise and they must learn to act in these situations, so guidance in consultation with the specialty is essential.
