The two most feared diseases related to skin are undoubtedly urticaria and angioedema. Though there are many similarities between these two, there are some major differences between them. Certain symptoms, help in distinguishing between them, and can be beneficial in the urticaria treatment as well as angioedema treatment.

Let us first consider the differences: urticaria is on the dermis or upper layer of the skin, whereas angioedema is deep inside. Urticaria wheals are itchy while angioedema swelling is not itchy but can be painful in some cases. Angioedema can be deadly but urticaria does not threaten the patient’s life. As far as the similarities are concerned, both the disease have pretty similar triggers and causes e.g. allergies, pressure, stress, extreme temperatures. Their treatments are also similar to some extent.

Next weeks post will be about hives and dermographism with some amazing surprises.

To some people, it will be a surprise that urticaria and hives are the two names of one disease. Actually urticaria is the medical name, while hives is the commonly used name for red itchy wheals that can outbreak anywhere on your skin.

Similarly urticaria treatment or hives treatment are also the same. The most common and popular treatment is the intake of antihistamines. Actually antihistamines are drugs which counter the effect of histamine release by the mast cells. Mast cells are a part of the defense mechanism widespread in the human skin and when disturbed they release these fluids which result in itchy rashes and wheals which are usually red or pink in color.

If you want to read the similarities and differences between urticaria and dermographism, do not forget to read the next post due next week.

No doubt, urticaria is a very unkind and painful ailment, but proper urticaria treatment can help you get rid of the itching and burning caused by the rashes. If you or any of your family or friends is suffering from any type of urticaria following  some simple steps can be very helpful in reducing the itching. The best thing about these tips is that you don’t have to buy any expensive medicine.

Itchy urticaria can be  really distressing, but did you know that simply exposing the affected area to fresh air reduces the itching considerably. Similarly, cooling down the affected area with an ice pack, cool compression or simply a cloth dipped in cold water can reduce the itching to a minimum. If the itching is still persisting, you may take non-sedating over the counter antihistamines. However, consulting a doctor is advisable if the condition persists.

Next week, hives and some of its common types will be discussed, you will be astonished to learn how simple home remedies can help your hives.

It is a fact that urticaria treatment can be expensive and time consuming, though there are some cheap herbal products which can bring quick results. But the question is, why should one suffer from urticaria in the first place? You must have heard that prevention is better than cure, so here are some simple tips that can help you stay safe from urticaria.

If you have a history of hereditary urticaria e.g. physical urticaria in your family, do not wait for the symptoms to appear, rather you must be proactive. Consult a qualified doctor for diagnosis because you may have a deficiency of C1 inhibitors which can be the cause of hereditary angioedema. People allergic to certain items or foods must avoid them. Last but not least, learn more about the disease as knowledge is power and with more power you can defeat urticaria.

But what if you already have  urticaria and  the itching is beyond tolerance? Read my post next week and find out the best solution.

Pathophysiology is actually the study of changes of normal biochemical, mechanical, and physical functions, in the human body which are caused by a disease or any other abnormal syndrome.

This post will describe the pathophysiology of urticaria. You might think that this should be only useful for medical students or professionals but if you are understand it, you can go about urticaria treatment in a better way.

Urticaria is caused by the release of histamines, bradykinin, leukotriene C4, and some other vasoactive fluids by the mast cells (which are a part of our defense mechanism). This can involve capillary or membrane damage as well. When these fluids e.g. histamines are released into the dermis, the rashes of urticaria appear on the skin, which are itchy and usually red in color. Physical urticaria is usually caused by physical stimuli, whereas in chronic urticaria the causes are usually unknown.

Do not miss the next post upcoming week which has some great tips for avoiding urticaria.

Urticaria is a kind of disease which can include other symptoms, especially if the underlying causes are not cured properly. Today’s post will show the related conditions which can accompany urticaria and how they make urticaria treament harder.

The most feared and deadly related condition of urticaria is angioedema.  In angioedema there is  swelling instead of welts, which occurs deeper in the skin. The swelling usually occurs on the face: around the lips and eyes and that is why it is also called facial angioedema. If urticaria is accompanied by angioedema, it should be paid serious attention to, especially if it occurred in response to an allergen. Furthermore, angioedema can cause suffocation and threaten the life of the patient.

If you want to learn the pathophysiology of urticaria in simplest form, read my post next week.

Manufactured drugs, though the major cause of urticaria,  are not the only cause.

There are many allergies including  food , synthetic products and emotional factors that can result in an outbreak of urticaria. An urticaria specialist can tell you the causes of a specific case after a proper diagnosis.

If you know what the culprit drugs are when it comes to urticaria, you not only have a better chances of avoiding  it but it also makes urticaria treatment much simpler.

The drugs that are commonly considered to be the cause of urticaria are antibiotics (Penicillin), hormonal preparations, anti-inflammatory drugs (aspirin, indomethacin), vaccinations, NSAIDs, foreign sera and contraceptive pills. In some cases, morphine-induced urticaria has been reported. If you are prone to urticaria, make sure you stay away from these preparations.

That’s all about  drugs and urticaria, next I will reveal some common myths about this disease.

Learning about  up-to-the-minute research regarding a disease is as vital as the treatment. With modern science, things are changing every day. One medicine considered to be the best remedy, might be totally different with new research. This is the case with urticaria treatment. By getting acquainted with the latest research you will know which medicine is the newest.

Ladies suffering from pruritic urticarial papules and plaques of pregnancy need to be extra careful, as their body is already going through a lot of chemical changes. If you want to stay updated about the latest research and news, join an online urticaria society.

In 2004, Mexico and Thailand suffered the most deaths by urticaria with 9 and 3 deaths respectively and a total of 20 people died from this peculiar disease.

Make sure you return after two days because I will be telling you about the best medicines and therapies available that can help you with a urticaria cure.