HIVES (NETTLE RASH) (dupang)
Nettle rash (also known as urticaria, welts, weals or hives) is
composed of reddish itchy weals or swellings in the skin similar
to those resulting from contact with stinging nettle. Urtica is the
Latin word for nettle.
The rash can vary in shape and size. It can be very itchy and
usually goes away within 24 hours. Nettle rash may occur
repeatedly or as a single episode.
What causes nettle rash?
In about 90 per cent of cases there's no apparent cause.
Sometimes, however, it's possible to identify the cause of the
nettle rash.
It most commonly appears to be because of an allergic reaction.
Any of the following may trigger symptoms:
a particular kind of food that causes an allergy. Eggs, nuts, strawberries and seafood are some of
the common culprits
contact with pollen or fungal spores
medicines, most commonly, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), antibiotics, and
ACE-inhibitors
insect bites
infections, which may be caused by viruses, parasites or bacteria
contact with plants, such as stinging nettles
contact with animals or creatures, such as stinging jellyfish
physical stimuli, such as feeling cold or warm, sunlight, water,
sweating or pressure
substances, such as perfumes, preservatives, colourings,
nickel or tar.
During an allergic reaction, a chemical called histamine is released by cells in the skin.
Histamine makes the blood vessels dilate and become more permeable (leaky) so that fluid seeps out
into the skin.
The rash itself is due to a local build up of an excessive amount of fluid in the skin (oedema). In severe
cases this may be followed by swelling in other parts of the body as well.
If swelling occurs around the eyes, lips, tongue, larynx, hands or genitalia – it's called angioneurotic
oedema.
What are the symptoms of nettle rash?
Nettle rash usually starts out as an itchy spot on the skin.
After a few minutes the weals develop into areas of reddish blisters of varying sizes.
The rash usually lasts for about two to three hours and can then disappear only to return in a different
place.
What medication can be used?
Antihistamines are the most commonly used group of medicines for nettle rash.
They relieve itching, reduce nettle rash from a severe to a mild outbreak and make the rash disappear.
They may be administered as tablets or injections.
Antihistamines that cause drowsiness are useful at night, if one has trouble sleeping.
In rare cases, treatment by a skin specialist with anti-allergy medicine may be necessary.
The treatment of hereditary angioneurotic oedema must be carried out by a specialist. Steroids are
commonly used to treat this condition.
While you wait for the hives and swelling to disappear:
Avoid hot water. Use lukewarm water instead.
Use gentle, mild soap.
Apply cool compresses or wet cloths to the affected areas.
Try to work and sleep in a cool room.
Wear loose-fitting lightweight clothes.
When treating your hives, remember a couple of things. First, it takes an hour or so for the
antihistamines to get in your system after you swallow them. Don’t expect them to work in fifteen
minutes. Second, you may have to take a larger than recommended dose. Antihistamines are dosed for
the nose and the amount of histamine released in a hives outbreak can be much larger than that
released in a sneezing attack. If one cetirizine or fexofenadine hasn’t worked in an hour, take a second
one. If your hives resolve, you might want to consider continuing a long-acting antihistamines once or
twice a day for two weeks to fend off any recurrent bouts.
If the cause of hives can be identified, the best treatment is to avoid the trigger or eliminate it:
Foods: Don’t eat foods that have been identified to cause your symptoms.
Rubbing or scratching: Avoid harsh soaps. Frequent baths may reduce itching and scratching –
beneficial because itching and scratching can make the hives feel worse.
Constant pressure: Avoid tight clothing. Pressure hives can be relieved by wearing loose-fitting
clothes.
Temperature: If you develop hives when exposed to cold, do not swim alone in cold water and
always carry an epinephrine auto-injector. Avoid exposure to cold air and use a scarf around
your nose and mouth in cold weather. If you must be out in the cold, wear warm clothing.
Sun exposure: Wear protective clothing; apply sunblock.
Medications: Notify your physician or pharmacist immediately if you suspect that a specific
medication is causing your hives.
