Treatment of chronic urticaria.. Antihistamines. Alkatotwin. Inhibition of inflammatory media release from mast cells

Treatment of chronic urticaria

Give antihistamines H1 and can be shared with H2 blockers, or Alkatotwin which inhibits release of inflammatory media from mast cells, and are not given steroids.

La urticaria crónica espontánea, también conocida como urticaria crónica idiopática o urticaria crónica, es un proceso frecuente con una prevalencia estimada de entre el 0,5 y el 1% de la población general. Es un proceso que interfiere en la calidad de vida del paciente y ocasiona un notable impacto en los costes sanitarios directos e indirectos. La urticaria crónica es una entidad que plantea dificultades de manejo terapéutico. Se considera que los fármacos antihistamínicos H1 no sedantes son el tratamiento de primera elección. Su prescripción a las dosis recomendadas solo consigue una reducción de los síntomas en menos del 50% de los pacientes. Aunque las guías terapéuticas recomiendan incrementar las dosis en casos de respuestas no adecuadas, persiste un grupo de pacientes en los que no se consigue controlar la sintomatología. Existe, pues, la necesidad del desarrollo de nuevas alternativas terapéuticas cuya eficacia se establezca bajo criterios de medicina basada en la evidencia.

Allergic reactions (hypersensitivity reactions) are inappropriate reactions of the immune system to a substance that is normally harmless.

• Allergies usually cause watery and itchy eyes, runny nose, itchy skin, rashes and sneezing.
• Some allergic reactions, called anaphylactic reactions, can be life-threatening.
• Symptoms suggest the diagnosis, and skin tests can help identify the substance that triggers the allergic reaction.
• People with severe allergic reactions should carry an auto-injector of epinephrine (adrenaline) and antihistamine pills.
• Avoidance of allergens is the best solution, but if this is not possible, allergy shots can be used to relieve the condition, provided they are injected well in advance of exposure to the allergen.
• Severe allergic reactions require emergency treatment in a hospital.

Normally, the immune system (which is made up of antibodies, white blood cells, mast cells, complement proteins, etc.) defends the body against foreign substances and invading organisms (which are called antigens). The immune system overreacts when exposed to certain substances (allergens) that may be naturally present in the environment, in food, or in medications, and are harmless in most people. The result is an allergic reaction. Some patients have an allergic reaction. To one substance only. While others suffer from sensitivity to many substances. Statistics indicate that about a third of the population in the United States suffers from some form of allergy.

Allergens can cause an allergic reaction when they come into contact with the skin or eyes, or are inhaled, eaten, or injected.

An allergic reaction can occur in several ways:

As part of a seasonal allergy (such as hay fever), which is caused by exposure to substances such as trees, grass, or pollen

• after taking a certain drug (drug allergy)
• After eating certain foods (food allergy)
• inhalation of dust, animal dander, or mold (year-round allergy)
• When in contact with certain materials (such as latex)
• When bitten or stung (as in anaphylactic reactions and angioedema)

In many allergic reactions, the immune system, upon first exposure to the allergen, produces a type of antibody called immunoglobulin E - IgE. IgE binds to a type of white blood cell called basophils in the bloodstream, and to a similar type Of globules called mast cells present in tissues. First exposure to the irritant may cause the patient to develop an allergy (this is called sensitization), but not cause symptoms. But when people encounter the allergen again, the basophils and associated mast cells Immunoglobulins with IgE on their surfaces release substances (such as histamine, prostaglandins, and leukotrienes) that cause swelling or inflammation of the surrounding tissues. These substances initiate a chain reaction that continues to irritate and damage tissues. These reactions range from mild to severe.

Latex allergy

Latex is a liquid extracted from the rubber tree. Latex is used to manufacture rubber products, including some types of rubber gloves, condoms, and medical equipment such as catheters, breathing tubes, enema tips, and dental dams.

Latex may cause allergic reactions, including hives, rashes, and even severe and potentially life-threatening allergic reactions called anaphylactic reactions. It is not about an allergic reaction to latex.

In the 1980s, health care workers were encouraged to use latex gloves for every contact with patients, to prevent the spread of infection. Since then, latex allergy has become more common among health care workers.

The risk of a latex allergy may also increase if a person:

• He has performed many surgeries
• He or she should use a catheter to help urinate
• Works in factories that manufacture or distribute latex products

For unknown reasons, people who are allergic to latex are often also allergic to bananas and sometimes other foods, such as kiwi, papaya, avocado, chestnut, potato, tomato, and apricot.

Doctors may suspect a latex allergy based on symptoms and a person's description of what is happening when the symptoms appear, especially if the person works in health care. Sometimes blood or skin tests may be done to confirm the diagnosis.

People who are allergic to latex should avoid using it. For example, healthcare workers can use gloves that are latex-free. Most healthcare facilities provide such gloves.