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What Are the Different Types and Forms of Urticaria?
In simple classification urticaria is grouped into; acute and chronic but in each category there are sub grouping which are causes by different factors. The acute form manifests itself on the skin; new welts appear and disappear each day for about a week where it eventually disappears completely once the trigger factors are kept at bay. Most of the acute forms are caused by allergy or allergens that are inhaled, ingested or comes into contact with the skin. The chronic form is more disturbing and lasts for more than six weeks. Its causes are on non-allergic factors as viruses. Its treatment involves the use of antihistamines and other medications to curb other underlying causes as diseases.
Types of Hives
The classification is based on the cause, duration and other elements which make them very unique from others. Below are some of the common forms that attack majority of the patients;
· Ordinary form; it appears suddenly without any specific reason. The welts are noticeable in different several body locations. They multiply fast, itch severely, swell and disappear in minutes or hours, but only later to appear in some other places. This activity (appearing and disappearing) may continue to several days and sometimes weeks. Fortunately most of these reactions last less than six weeks thus could be classified as acute but if it goes beyond six weeks it becomes chronic.
· Chronic form; it refers to any form that persists for 6 weeks or more. In most chronic pandemics there are no visible differences on the welts between acute and chronic hives. Unfortunately some severe chronic conditions have been seen to last for over twenty years. Once the condition surpasses the six weeks mark allergy and other laboratory tests are deemed unnecessary.
· Drug-induced; this form has been proved to lead to serious cardio-respiratory failure. The Amaryl an anti-diabetic sulphonylurea glimepiride has been proved to bring about allergic reactions resulting into urticaria condition. Other risky medications include dextroamphetamine, aspirin, penicillin, clotrimazole, sulfonamides and anti-convulsants.
· Acute;itcommonly appears a few minutes after coming into contact with specific allergens lasting a few hours, days to several weeks. Food allergic (proteins) reactions suitably fall under this category. Food allergy triggers include ingestion of shellfish, nuts, eggs, fish, acid derivatives, dye or any combination of two or more of these.
· Physical; this is the urticaria resulting from direct physical stimulation of parts of skin. The most common physical form is dermographia, which simply means writing on the skin.
Other common forms
1. Infectious; this follow other viral infections as colds. They appear after the cold starts and may sometimes delay appearance to a few days after the cold is resolved.
2. Autoimmune: it occurs as the body experiences the autoimmune disorder while combating alien elements in the body.
3. Dietary histamine poisoning; it manifests itself when there is the ingestion of some histamine that is released by bacteria decay as in fish. It is a bit different from the rest for it does not have wheals on the skin.
4. Stress and chronic idiopathic: this is caused by the deterioration of health due to emotional conditions that surround a person at one time of life.
Other forms of physical Urticaria
Most physical forms are much rare with the triggers including extreme temperatures as very cold and hot; water and sunlight. Physical forms are often classified into the following groups:
i) Aquagenic: This the reaction to water (rare) to water either due to extreme temperature or compounds or chemicals incorporated into the water.
ii) Cholinergic: This the skin reaction stimulated by increased body heat as when working or exercising, or after taking a hot shower or bath.
iii) Cold/Chronic cold: Reaction to extremely cold temperatures brought about by ice, cold air or freezing water.
iv) Delayed Pressure: This is the reaction to tight fitting apparels worn for long periods of time as reaction to panty, or thong bands, bra-straps belts and other worn items including accessories.
v) Dermatographic: This commonly happens when the skin is scratched or injured in the course of working.
vi) Heat: Extreme temperatures as of hot food, objects, sun where direct exposure on the skin makes it react.
vii) Vibration: This is rare where the body is irritated by continued vibration of machines.
viii) Adrenergic: This is the reaction to adrenaline or noradrenaline but is extremely rare with very few cases reported annually.
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