Question: My skin has recently have been experiencing mild to moderate and relatively sporadic allergic reactions. The reaction/symptoms are relatively short in duration ranging from 15 min - 90 min depending on my level of self control not to irritate it (once area is irritated symptoms obviously get exponentially worse but will virtually disappear if left alone). Symptoms include Hive like red wheals on skin, but most of all moderate to severe itching of the affected area Note: severe is a strong descriptor but I have, on one occasion had to control minor convulsing of my body as it tries to compensate such an intense sensation and urge to scratch . These sporadic reactions have been coming on and off for ~7-10 days. I have taken steps to discontinue use of new products (detergents, shampoos, etc) incrementally to narrow down possible causes, *however i have noticed that the reaction and symptoms primarily begin if I initiate the first physical scratching of a mildly itchy area. This includes direct skin-skin contact as well as non skin-skin ( through clothes) as well as scalp through the hair. Approx 1-2 minutes after the physical action of scratching the symptoms follow (though the symptoms have appeared without any physical initiation to cause irritation). ** Another noticeable and peculiar symptom is the on set of redness, swelling, irritation/severe itch patterned in direct resemblance to the contours and direction of my fingers (nails) very similar to a"Cat Scratch Fever" appearance where irritation and mild reaction of the skin is caused by a the abrasion from a cat's claws. I have yet to find any new products or materials that I have began using in the past 7-10 days I can attribute any direct cause to. ***Note: the symptoms first appeared while i was out of country in the Dominican Republic. Staying in a beach resort for vacation conditions of my stay were what i consider above average (cleanliness etc). I initially attributed the symptoms to overexposure to sunlight and possible sand irritation but since I have been back from my trip since sunday I can't figure out what may be the cause. Thanks for your help
Brief Answer:
Acute urticaria
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Welcome to healthcare magic,
You seem to be suffering from Acute urticaria. It is characterized by itchy red or skin colored raised wheals (Hives) which is transient.The most common cause of acute urticaria is food. Seafood, meat, poultry, egg, peanuts, milk, apples, brinjal, strawberry, coloring agents etc are commonly implicated. It is very subjective and any food can cause it. Other common causes are drugs, infections, insect bites, parasitic intestinal infestations etc.
The occurrence of new lesions along the line of scratching is seen in active urticaria and we call it dermographism.
You can take long acting non sedating anti histamines like cetrizine 10 mg or Fexofenadine 180 mg once daily or loratadine 10 mg once a day for five days. Calamine lotion can be applied over the rash for soothing effect. If the cause is food then the allergen slowly wears off from body and you will be alright by five days. For next five days it is better to have a hypoallergenic diet with less animal proteins.
Hope this helped,
Take care.
I appreciate the information, ive actually been taking a loratadine based anti-histamine to treat the symptoms on a per need basis. As i know allergies can develop during adulthood without warning ive been allergy free for the most part excluding common seasonal irritations, is it common for allergens to remain active in the body for such a long period of time ?
Brief Answer:
Clarification
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome back,
It is common for urticaria to remain active for 5 days to a week after exposure to allergen. It might not be because the allergen is still present in the body, the reason is at the molecular level (Antibody remaining attached to the mast cell). But if the activity of the disease is not diminishing in intensity or if it is increasing even after 1 week, we should think of the possibility of continuous exposure to allergen.
(Even pollens and dust can cause urticaria including dust mites, forgot to mention that last time)
Hope this helped,
Take care.
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation
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Suggest Treatment For Acute Urticaria
Brief Answer:
Acute urticaria
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Welcome to healthcare magic,
You seem to be suffering from Acute urticaria. It is characterized by itchy red or skin colored raised wheals (Hives) which is transient.The most common cause of acute urticaria is food. Seafood, meat, poultry, egg, peanuts, milk, apples, brinjal, strawberry, coloring agents etc are commonly implicated. It is very subjective and any food can cause it. Other common causes are drugs, infections, insect bites, parasitic intestinal infestations etc.
The occurrence of new lesions along the line of scratching is seen in active urticaria and we call it dermographism.
You can take long acting non sedating anti histamines like cetrizine 10 mg or Fexofenadine 180 mg once daily or loratadine 10 mg once a day for five days. Calamine lotion can be applied over the rash for soothing effect. If the cause is food then the allergen slowly wears off from body and you will be alright by five days. For next five days it is better to have a hypoallergenic diet with less animal proteins.
Hope this helped,
Take care.