Urticarial Rash: Treatment, Cost and Side Effects

Urticarial rash, usually doesn’t need any treatment but if the itchiness and discomfort increases to amount of unable to be controlled by yourself, then you might want to get help from Antihistamines like cetirizine (Zyrtec), fexofenadine (Allegra), and Loratadine (Claritin) will not cause drowsiness. It will take about 30 minutes to effect after taken but is most effective after 1-2 hours but recommended to be taken regularly as prevention drugs till the rash has completely disappeared. Menthol cream in addition to antihistamines can be used because it helps to relieve itchiness.

If the rash is getting severe you might be prescribed for course of Corticosteroid tablets (prednisolone) it works on your immune system to relief the rash. Long-term use of corticosteroids for chronic urticarial isn't recommended for the reasons mentioned above. But medicines like Leukotriene receptor antagonists will help the affected for a longer period of time as it has far less side effects. In rarest of cases, a powerful medication called cyclosporine has proved effective in treating urticarial which again isn’t recommended for longer period of time because of severe side effects.

In case of the severe rash for the treatment you will be given H2 antihistamines. H1 antihistamines are the ones you get from the drugstore with prescription. H2 antihistamines are alternatives or in combination with the H1 antihistamines. Treatment will take time of 1-3 weeks in the severe rash case.

As the rash is usually caused due to an allergic reaction towards a certain entity, the first and foremost treatment is to self-care by the affected person if the trigger for the rash is detected by the person and they avoid the potential trigger for the rash. Another way to self-treatment can be through the menthol cream that will ease the itching and the person can avoid touching it will stop spreading the rash then treatment won’t be needed but the prevention through avoiding the object triggering the urticarial rash.

Secondly, if the rash is severe enough to take drugs, the drugs will help with the itching and discomfort. The severe rash treatment with corticosteroid tablets course will effect on the immune system to help relieve swelling, redness, itching, and allergic reactions.

In the severe case of rash a dermatologist’s treatment will include detecting and evading the potential triggers, dismissing the symptoms with the help of drugs under observation of the specialist. Desensitization procedures are done by the specialists to treat the rash by purifying your sweat and only the antigens are injected into you. This will treat the symptoms significantly better but in some cases the rash might not be cured completely. There should be evidence that you have an autoimmune response to what you are being desensitized. This process should be done under the supervision of a specialist, Otherwise can lead to serious health issues.

The treatment is the option when the rash is growing rapidly and the itching is causing extreme discomfort, affecting your daily activities. There are different levels of treatments for the different levels of rashes. The urticarial rash can be acute or long term urticarial, depending on which the treatments will be given. It is medical emergency and should go for the treatment with the specialists where they will recommend the tests. If the results reveal:

1. Anemia
2. Intestinal parasites
3. Problems with immune system.
4. Liver problems.
5. Hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism.

You should immediately seek medical help for the treatment as soon as possible.

If the rash is relieved in sometime due to avoidance of the triggering object or by the drugs the person can avoid having treatment. In most cases the treatment is not needed because the rash gets better in few days without any treatment. But when the rashes are not cured in more than two months then it is necessary to visit a doctor. If the rash is due to something in the environment for example:

• Air freshener
• Perfume
• New surroundings
• Travelled a lot lately

These triggers are avoidable. Rashes caused due to these triggers can be cured with avoiding or drugs from the store. Or if you already had a treatment and know the object you are allergic to, then you won’t need any treatments for it.

Yes, in the cases of needing the treatment there can be side effects based upon the type of treatment one is getting. For example treatment with the H2 and H1 antihistamines there are chances of having less but harming side effects which includes.

• headache
• diarrhea
• dizziness

• changed appetite
• weight gain
• psychological effects

• hypertension
• kidney problems
• involuntary shaking
• Increased risks for chest infections, urinary tract infection, heart failures.

These are the cases of severe urticarial rash that is usually caused due to serious health issues to show up as a symptom. The acute urticarial rash will not be needing treatment with severe or any side effects in many cases, feeling sick is the only side effect.

Urticarial infections cannot be treated for lifetime and its triggers may bring it back. So to be protected and prevent such situations these measures can be taken:

• Avoid potential triggers. (pets, perfumes, peanuts, medications like aspirin and ibuprofen)
• Wear soft fabric and loose breathable clothes
• Avoid cosmetics containing chemicals
• Once you know what triggers your rashes avoid it as much as possible.
• Pollens
• Take medications for prevention
• Have your medications in case of an emergency breakout.
• Keep skin moisturized and maintain proper routine.
• Avoid metal ornaments
• Cold compress in case of a chance of any breakout to avoid itching it and stopping it from spreading.

Even if the treatment is done one should avoid any sort of triggers as much as they can.

Acute urticarial rash will be cured in 3 to 4 weeks with treatment, usually acute urticarial rash gets better on its own but if it lasts more than 6 weeks it can be a reason to visit doctor because it can be chronic urticarial rash which occurs on daily basis for more than 6 weeks. 1 in 100 people have chronic urticarial rash which will take up to 12 months to be treated and recover however it can last more than that, some people tend to have chronic urticarial rash for years and few gets cured in 10 or more years.

The antihistamines can cost from Rs 50/- to Rs 500/- and sometimes more, depending upon the dosage or power of medicine. The core treatments can cost Rs 20,000 – 30,000 which lasts for 3 months and PRs 3000 – 9000 /- per month depending upon the hospital or organization you are on. But there are cheap treatments from Rs 1500 – 2000/- also available for the treatment for severe but not huge rash. People can also go to the government hospitals for cost cutting and then in private hospitals the doctors’ fees can also be not determined. So best way is to go to a governmental hospital or if you can afford private organizations is also great option.

In most cases the treatment results are not permanent and can get triggered anytime. The best way to continue to avoid breaking out is the prevention methods and monthly treatment processes. The people with chronic urticarial rash need to have a lot of restrictions and precautions till the rash is cured.

Some of the alternative treatments are as follows:

• Home remedies
• Ayurveda treatment
• Antihistamine
• Steroid
• Vasoconstrictor
• Anti-inflammatory