How to Distinguish Between Papular Urticaria and Urticaria

Written by Qu Jing
Dermatology
Updated on September 16, 2024
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Papular urticaria, also known as insect bite dermatitis, is a different disease from urticaria. Urticaria, also known as wheals, is called yinzhen in traditional Chinese medicine, and it is a localized edema of the skin and mucous membranes due to temporary increased vascular permeability. For most patients with urticaria, the exact cause cannot be identified. Common causes include foods, such as animal proteins and certain food additives that induce urticaria. Urticaria can also be triggered by certain infections as allergens, as well as by certain medications such as penicillin, serum products, various vaccines, sulfonamides, etc. Additionally, common inhalants such as pollen, animal dander, dust, fungal spores, dust mites, and volatile chemicals can also trigger urticaria. Papular urticaria is characterized by a small blister in the center of a reddish area, often resulting from bites or stings of various insects like mosquitoes, mites, bees, etc., or from irritation by toxic sap on the skin. Improvement can be seen once removed from the allergenic environment.

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Written by Liu Gang
Dermatology
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Characteristics of papular urticaria

Papular urticaria is a type of allergic reaction, generally associated with contact with irritants, or bites from mosquitoes and fleas. The likelihood of occurrence increases if small animals are kept at home. Typically, small red papules or red wheals appear on localized areas of the body or extensively, with a transparent blister on top. The itching is quite severe, and the blisters are prone to bursting when scratched. Once symptoms appear, it is crucial to treat them with proper medication, and care should be taken to prevent infection if the blisters are scratched open. To prevent recurrence, it is advisable not to keep small animals at home, to frequently disinfect clothes, sheets, and duvet covers by exposing them to sunlight to eliminate mites or fleas, and to maintain a standard diet and lifestyle habits.

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Written by Li Ya Ping
Dermatology Department
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Can urticaria be contagious?

Urticaria is not contagious. Urticaria, also known as wheals or commonly referred to as hives, is caused by temporary increased vascular permeability in the skin and mucous membranes due to allergic factors, resulting in localized edema. Wheals generally subside quite quickly, typically within 24 hours. The causes of wheals, which are essentially urticaria, may include the food we eat, airborne inhalants, and skin contact with substances such as pollen, dust mites, mold mites, as well as animal dander, fur, etc. Additionally, some cases may be related to infections, and some people may have a lethal factor due to suspicious medications. Moreover, the occurrence of urticaria can also be related to other factors such as cold, heat, ultraviolet light, and mechanical stresses such as friction or pressure. Furthermore, other factors including psychological and endocrine factors can also lead to the occurrence of urticaria.

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Written by Xie Ming Feng
Dermatology
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What should not be eaten with hives?

Patients with urticaria have individual differences in their physical constitutions, and not everyone is allergic to the same foods. However, some foods have a higher likelihood of causing allergies, such as seafood, shrimp, crabs, silkworm pupae, beef, lamb, dog meat, various exotic birds and game, fruits like mango, pineapple, durian, and lemon, as well as various food additives. Additionally, spicy and stimulating foods and alcoholic beverages can aggravate allergic reactions and should be avoided as much as possible. Patients who frequently suffer from urticaria may consider undergoing allergen testing to identify which foods trigger allergic reactions. However, the allergen doses used in tests are very small and many factors can affect the results, hence the test outcomes may not fully reflect the actual situation within the patient's body. Moreover, the variety of foods tested is limited, and foods not tested could still potentially trigger urticaria in patients.

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Written by Qu Jing
Dermatology
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Is urticaria contagious?

Urticaria, commonly known as hives, is not contagious. It is a localized edema of the skin and mucous membranes due to temporarily increased vascular permeability. Its pathological causes are not related to infection, thus it is not contagious. The specific cause of urticaria often remains unclear for many patients. Some cases are due to certain foods, such as animal proteins, seafood, fungi, and some food additives like tartrazine, balsam of Peru, and sulfites. Some cases are triggered by drugs such as penicillin and various vaccines. Others are caused by allergens inhaled through the respiratory tract or by contact with the skin; common examples include pollen, animal dander, dust, fungal spores, and dust mites, as well as some volatile cosmetics. Contact with certain items, such as insect bites, venomous insects, certain plants like nettles, or animal fur such as wool, can also trigger urticaria. Some cases may be related to physical factors such as exposure to cold, heat, sunlight, or pressure, all of which can potentially lead to the development of urticaria.

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Written by Zhu Zhu
Dermatology
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Urticaria should be seen in which department?

Once urticaria occurs, it is advised to promptly consult a dermatologist, as urticaria is a type of skin disease related to allergies and belongs to the field of dermatology. Urticaria causes many symptoms, such as wheals, erythema, and papules on the skin, accompanied by severe itching. Therefore, it is essential to treat the symptoms in a timely manner. First, identify the allergen and avoid further contact with it. Moreover, use some anti-allergy medications for treatment and generally enhance your own resistance.