Urticaria affects people from all walks of life and it is important that you know the treatment for chronic urticaria and how to prevent it. Urticaria is actually a harmless type of rashes, consisting of circular, raised red and itchy welts on the surface of the skin. There are two types of uritcaria namely acute urticaria and chronic urticaria. Acute urticaria is characterized by rashes that lasts for up to six weeks while chronic urticaria lasts for more than six weeks.
Chronic urticaria affects the throat, arms, legs, and trunk. Although it is very common, it is more difficult to identify the allergen involved. As a matter of fact, studies proved that 80% of chronic cases of urticaria is caused by an unknown allergen. Fortunately, there are many ways to treat chronic urticaria and here are some of them:
Avoid allergens
The food we eat, the water we drink, the environment we are living in and our surrounding contain allergens or substances which you may allergic to and they cause chronic urticaria. The most natural treatment for chronic urticaria is avoiding its causes. Avoid the food which you are allergic to like shellfish, nuts, berries, and even food additives. Do not take medicines like antibiotics, penicillin, aspirin, codeine, and other without your doctor’s prescription. It is also advisable that you keep your house clean from allergens by letting your pets stay outside and by cleaning the house regularly.
Take Antihistamines
Urticaria occurs when one has allergies and they can be relieved by taking antihistamines. These drugs like Atarax, Benedryl, Seldane, and Tagamet are effective in relieving itching, swelling, and spreading of rashes. There are also non-sedating antihistamines like loratidine, fexofenadine, terfenadine, cetirazine, and astemizole which do not cause drowsiness. However, if you are suffering from severe cases of uritcaria oral steroids are recommended. Meanwhile, corticosteroids or injections of epinephrine is advised in serious cases as well.
Natural Treatments
It is believed that chronic urticaria is not just caused by allergens but also by non-allergic factors. These include auto-immunity related causes, stress, exercise, temperature, and emotional conditions. In this case, you can treat chronic urticaria by living a healthy lifestyle and staying in a clean environment. You also avoid too much exposure to heat or cold and rest your body from time to time.
The treatment for chronic urticaria varies and depends largely on which you find most convenient and appropriate for you. You can avoid the allergens, take medicine like antihistamines or you can turn to natural treatments. You can free yourself from the effects of chronic urticaria by treating it the right way.
