Urticaria and Angioedema
Urticaria is a reaction evident in the skin after an allergic exposure. When this happens, there is a change in the cutaneous capillary function thus vasodilatation and transudation of plasma will occur.
The most common causes of urticaria in children are:
Ingestants – like chocolates, shellfish, eggs, nuts, citrus fruits, preservatives, artificial flavorings, drugs like antimicrobials, steroids, laxatives, aspirin and barbiturates; Injectants – like insect bites, injected drugs, biological; Infections – like acute and chronic bacterial, viral, fungal and parasitic; Contactants – like insect sprays, hair sprays, hair dyes, nail polish, soaps, detergents, animal saliva, pollens, ointments, wool/ silk; Physical – like cold, light, heat, pressure, exertions; Endocrine – like menstruations and thyroid diseases; Emotional – like acute and chronic; Systemic diseases.
Upon exposure to these allergens and the child is allergic to them, there would be an appearance of the so called hives or wheals on the skin.
These lesions are described to have an edematous center surrounded by a red erythematous areola.
The size of the wheals and their distribution will vary. The urticarial reactions may be transitory in nature and in some cases may last for days or months.
The more severe form of urticaria is called angioedema. In angioedema, there is a more widespread distribution and with involvement of the mucous surfaces of the body.
In comparison with the adults, the acute form of urticaria is common in children while the chronic form is in adults.
Also, urticaria in children is more often transitory and the cause of the urticaria is usually discovered unlike in adults.