Information on Urticaria Pigmentosa

Urticaria pigmentosa is the most common form and is characterized by oval or round red-brown macules, papules, or plaques ranging in number from a few to thousands. Urticaria is also known as hives. It is a temporary swelling of the skin, caused by a localised collection of fluid in the dermis due to leakage from blood vessels

Diagnosis and testing

There are two commonly used tests to diagnose urticaria pigmentosa. The first being a urine test that looks for elevated levels of histamine in the system. Elevated histamine is the root cause for urticaria pigmentosa. Secondly, a skin biopsy may be performed to confirm the presence of mast cells which are increased in patients suffering from urticaria pigmentosa.

Treatment of Hives (Urticaria) - Some Tips and Cure

• Suppressive treatment of urticaria is carried out by administering antihistaminic drugs like Chloropheneramine (Avil) triprolidine hydrochloride, Actidil and Cyproheptadine hydrochloride (Periactin). The dose and the frequency should be adjusted to give adequate coverage for 24 hours.
• All these drugs cause varying degrees of drowsiness, hence driving, operating machines and other jobs which require mental alertness should be avoided while undergoing treatment.
• Urticaria, if not responsive to oral antihistamines, may have to be treated with injections of adrenaline or steroids especially for patients 'complaining of a choking sensation in the throat which occurs due to swelling in the respiratory passage.

Adults with the severe symptoms of urticaria pigmentosa present a much more difficult task for doctors. The first order of treatment is to relieve dangerous symptoms like diarrhea. Once those symptoms are under control the doctor will decide which medications are best to treat the disease itself.