URTICARIA


URTICARIA         
Essentials of Diagnosis
•                     Spontaneous development of wheals produced by a transudate through the injured walls of arterioles and capillaries, may be due to ingested food or drug, bite of insects or parasites.
•                     Circumscribed areas of oedema may be slightly pink in colour.
•                     Trunk is the common site.
•                     In children papules and vesicles may develop instead of wheals.

Treatment
o   Careful history may give indication if it is due to ingested food or drugs.
o   Antihistamine therapy is useful. Citrazine tab daily × 5 days.
o   Corticosteroids should be given in acute attack but may not be very useful in chronic patients.
o   Soothing lotions or creams with 2% Phenol, Menthol or Camphor may be used.
o   Deworming may be done.