In childhood urticaria vasculitis, the child has round, red or purple patches on the skin, which appear suddenly, but usually the child appears to be well, without appearing to be sick. This disease has only 1 episode in life.
It is also called acute hemorrhagic edema and is a rare disease, which mainly affects babies from 3 months to 2 years of age, but although not very common, it can also affect newborns and children up to 5 years of age, especially those with atopic skin, with a tendency to allergies.
Treatment for urticaria vasculitis
The treatment must be indicated by the doctor but it is not always necessary, because the disease can cure itself in about 15 to 20 days.
Paracetamol can be indicated to lower fever and good hydration so that the disease cures faster. However, the doctor may recommend the use of an ointment and cortisone tablets, as well as allergy remedies that may be useful. If the lesions on the skin are infected, it may be indicated to apply antibiotic ointment or use of antibiotics in syrup form, when there are a large number of apparently infected lesions, but this is very rare.
The resolution should arrive within 3 weeks and during this period it is more advisable that the child does not attend daycare or school, so that he can recover faster. Despite the severe appearance of the skin, this disease is benign and there are usually no associated complications.
Symptoms of urticaria vasculitis
Symptoms of childhood urticaria vasculitis include the onset of:
- Low fever; Reddish patches on the skin that are usually located on the face, ears, arms, legs and buttocks, being uncommon to affect the trunk. The spots are similar to a medallion with well-defined edges up to 5 cm in diameter and appear suddenly. Although rare these spots can be around the eyes and the roof of the mouth; Small bumps in the scalp, hands or feet, and can also appear in the intimate region. Mucous membranes such as mouth and eyes are rarely affected; symptoms of pain in the joints and belly are rare.
Most of the time it is common for the child to have had a disease caused by a virus, such as the flu or a cold, about 15 to 30 days before the onset of these symptoms.
The diagnosis must be made by a pediatrician or dermatologist and the characteristics of the lesions lead to the suspicion of this disease. There is no specific test that can identify this vasculitis, but the doctor may order a blood and urine test to see if it could be any other disease, such as Henoch-Schönlein Purpura is the main suspect.
Causes urticaria vasculitis
The causes of childhood urticaria vasculitis include an infection caused by a virus, but which does not spread from one person to another. The disease can also arise after the child has received the measles, DPT or HiB vaccine, or after taking medications such as penicillin, cephalosporin, sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim or even paracetamol.
