Your medical queries answered.
Urticaria
My wife recently developed a rash which our GP says is Urticaria. Is this serious?
Urticaria is not particularly serious in itself and is a common skin disorder. The rash usually appears as raised itchy, lumps and tends to come on without warning. The lumps or weals can appear anywhere on the body including the soles of the feet and the palms.
They tend to have pale centres and red margins and can spread, joining up to form very large irregular patches. Most cases develop out of the blue and settle over a couple of weeks. For others is can be a chronic problem.
She says she must be allergic to me! But what really causes it?
She may well be right! Urticaria is in fact an allergic reaction which results in the release of the chemical histamine. It can happen as a reaction to certain foods, infections or chemicals.
She recently had a chest infection and did notice the rash came on shortly after starting a course of antibiotics. Could they have triggered it?
Yes, drugs such as penicillin, aspirin, codeine and certain antibiotics can cause it. Other possible causes include; food allergies, food colorants, insect bites and infections. Exposure to heat and cold can bring it on, as can sunlight. It is also a common condition in late pregnancy. Tension, stress, excitement and a rise in body temperature can exacerbate it, but if your wife noticed it developed after taking the antibiotics this could well be the cause and she should mention it to her doctor the next time she visits.
What can she do to ease the itch?
Her doctor can prescribe antihistamine medication which will relieve the rash and itch. She should avoid taking aspirin or other drugs unless medically prescribed. The itch can be helped by keeping cool and cold water compresses applied when the rash is active will help reduce the duration of the attack. Calamine lotion applied to the weals can be soothing. She should avoid caffeine or alcohol.