Urticaria is a vascular skin reaction caused by the release of histamine, leading to itchy, red, raised wheals (hives) that appear and disappear within 24 hours.
Mnemonic: "U.R.T.I.C.A.R.I.A. = Uplifting Red, Transient Itchy
Circular Allergic Reaction Involving Angioedema"
CAUSES OF URTICARIA
- Allergic Reactions (Food, Drugs, Insect Bites).
- Physical Factors (Heat, Cold, Sunlight, Pressure).
- Infections (Viral, Bacterial, Parasitic).
- Autoimmune Causes (Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria).
- NSAIDs, Aspirin, Opioids Can Worsen Symptoms.
Mnemonic: "A.P.I.A.N." (Allergy, Physical, Infection,
Autoimmune, NSAIDs)
TYPES OF URTICARIA
- Acute Urticaria (Lasts <6 Weeks, Due to Allergy, Infection, or Drugs).
- Chronic Urticaria (Lasts >6 Weeks, Often Autoimmune, No Clear Cause).
- Physical Urticaria (Triggered by Physical Factors like Pressure, Cold, Heat).
- Dermatographic Urticaria (Hives Appear After Skin Scratching).
- Angioedema (Deep Swelling of Lips, Eyelids, Hands, or Throat – Can Be Dangerous).
- Mnemonic: "A.C.P.D.A." (Acute, Chronic, Physical,
Dermatographic, Angioedema)
SYMPTOMS OF URTICARIA
- Itchy, Red, Swollen Wheals (Disappear Within 24 Hours).
- Wheals Appear Suddenly & Change Location.
- Burning & Prickling Sensation in Some Cases.
- Angioedema → Swelling of Lips, Eyes, Hands, Feet, or Throat.
Mnemonic: "I.W.B.A." (Itchy, Wheals, Burning, Angioedema)
DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS OF
URTICARIA
- Erythema Multiforme (Fixed, Target Lesions, No Itching).
- Drug Rash (Lasts for Days, Doesn't Change Location).
- Angioedema (If Without Wheals, Consider C1 Esterase Deficiency).
- Scabies (Severe Itching, Burrows in Finger Webs & Axillae).
Mnemonic: "E.D.A.S." (Erythema, Drug Rash, Angioedema,
Scabies)
DIAGNOSIS OF URTICARIA
- Clinical Examination (Wheals, Itching, Transient Nature).
- Physical Tests (Cold Test, Heat Test, Pressure Test for Physical Urticaria).
- Blood Tests (Eosinophil Count, ESR, IgE Levels for Allergy & Autoimmune Causes).
- Skin Prick Test (Identifies Allergens in Acute Urticaria).
Mnemonic: "C.P.B.S." (Clinical, Physical Test, Blood
Test, Skin Prick Test)
TREATMENT OF URTICARIA
1. GENERAL MEASURES
- Avoid Triggers (Food, Drugs, Heat, Cold, Perfumes).
- Wear Loose, Cotton Clothing.
- Apply Cooling Agents (Calamine Lotion, Cold Compress).
Mnemonic: "A.W.C." (Avoid Triggers, Wear Cotton, Cooling
Agents)
2. MEDICAL MANAGEMENT
- Non-Sedating Antihistamines (Loratadine, Cetirizine, Fexofenadine – 1st Line).
- H2 Blockers (Ranitidine, Famotidine – Add if Needed).
- Steroids (Prednisolone – For Severe Cases).
- Adrenaline (Epinephrine – For Anaphylaxis).
Mnemonic: "A.H.S.A." (Antihistamines, H2 Blockers,
Steroids, Adrenaline)
3. IMMUNOMODULATORS (For Chronic
Urticaria Not Responding to Treatment)
- Omalizumab (Monoclonal Antibody Against IgE).
- Cyclosporine (For Severe Autoimmune Urticaria).
- Mnemonic: "O.C." (Omalizumab, Cyclosporine)
HOMOEOPATHIC MANAGEMENT OF
URTICARIA
- For Acute, Sudden, Burning Urticaria:
- Apis, Urtica Urens, Belladonna, Rhus Tox.
- For Chronic, Recurrent Urticaria:
- Natrum Mur, Sulphur, Arsenicum Album, Lycopodium.
- For Urticaria After Food or Drug Allergy:
- Nux Vomica, Pulsatilla, Antimonium Crudum.
Mnemonic: "A.U.B.R." (Apis, Urtica Urens, Belladonna,
Rhus Tox for Acute Urticaria)
FINAL REVISION WITH MNEMONICS
- Definition = "U.R.T.I.C.A.R.I.A. = Uplifting Red, Transient Itchy Circular Allergic Reaction Involving Angioedema"
- Causes = "A.P.I.A.N." (Allergy, Physical, Infection, Autoimmune, NSAIDs)
- Types = "A.C.P.D.A." (Acute, Chronic, Physical, Dermatographic, Angioedema)
- Symptoms = "I.W.B.A." (Itchy, Wheals, Burning, Angioedema)
- Differential = "E.D.A.S." (Erythema, Drug Rash, Angioedema, Scabies)
- Diagnosis = "C.P.B.S." (Clinical, Physical Test, Blood Test, Skin Prick Test)
- General Measures = "A.W.C." (Avoid Triggers, Wear Cotton, Cooling Agents)
- Medical Treatment = "A.H.S.A." (Antihistamines, H2 Blockers, Steroids, Adrenaline)
- Immunomodulators = "O.C." (Omalizumab, Cyclosporine)
- Homeopathy = "A.U.B.R." (Apis, Urtica Urens, Belladonna, Rhus Tox for Acute Urticaria)
