Urticaria is one of the most common skin conditions, characterized by itching and red, often raised patches. It is a warning sign indicating an imbalance in the body’s relationship with food, medications, or other substances at the epidermal level. But what triggers this skin reaction, and how can it be effectively treated?
Causes of Urticaria
The reaction of redness and itching is the result of a complex inflammatory response, orchestrated by the cells of the immune system. These mechanisms, which lead to vasodilation and stimulation of nerve endings, are part of the body’s natural defenses. The body reacts to substances perceived as harmful by attracting immune cells to the affected area.
Chronic urticaria, which persists beyond 6 weeks despite treatment, most likely indicates a systemic inflammatory condition, often caused by excessive or repeated consumption of certain foods.
To treat recurrent hives or those that resist antihistamines, GEK Lab suggests undergoing a PerMè Medical Program.
Most of the time, the cause-and-effect relationship is clear: the unusual food, medication, or event (such as an insect sting or contact with a chemical agent) that likely triggered the reaction is identified, and the acute symptoms are treated with an antihistamine. Care is then taken to avoid the circumstances that triggered the reaction in the future.
Sometimes, it is more difficult to identify the causes of hives. This is the case for reactions due to environmental allergens (such as dust mites, mold, or dust), systemic diseases (such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis or celiac disease), chronic infections (such as a dental granuloma), or the ingestion of common foods. In these cases, further tests and investigations are needed to understand the origin of the allergic reaction.
Chronic Urticaria
In some cases, hives manifestations are not limited to an acute and short-lived event, but begin to recur. And the classic routine tests do not provide useful results.
Chronic urticaria, which persists beyond 6 weeks despite treatment, most likely indicates a systemic inflammatory condition, often caused by excessive or repeated consumption of certain foods. A form of urticaria that is not responsive to antihistamines always suggests the need to investigate inflammation related to diet.
Hives and The role of Sugars
Very recent research has shown that in the majority of cases, allergic reactions are not caused by a single triggering factor (the classic reaction to pollen, food, or medications), but are attributed to multifactorial causes, in which glycation, or the action of sugars consumed in excess, plays a key role.
Sugars and related substances (such as alcohol, fruit sugars, and polyols) damage the intestinal epithelium, allowing the passage of undigested food molecules that would normally be harmless. By altering the way food molecules are perceived by the immune system, they trigger an allergic or allergy-like reaction. In practice, an excess of sugars can cause adverse reactions to foods that were previously well tolerated, not due to the food itself, but because of the excess sugars consumed.
The allergen essentially becomes guilty only of being the “last straw” for an organism that has been inflamed for some time and is predisposed to react.
This mechanism also helps to understand how many conditions, from cystitis to candidiasis, from migraines to arthritis or gastroesophageal reflux, are often caused by systemic inflammation, in which the factor related to sugars plays a predominant role in causing imbalance in the immune system.
Treatment of Recurrent Urticaria and Chronic Urticaria
In addition to traditional treatments with antihistamines, research is exploring new approaches in the treatment of recurrent urticaria, particularly useful when identifying the triggering causes is complicated.
In these cases, the standard procedure involves first performing an ISAC test or similar, which, with a single blood sample, highlights reactivity to individual allergens. This allows, in collaboration with a specialist, to verify the possible presence of “classic” allergies, meaning those mediated by Immunoglobulin E (or IgE, which are antibodies the immune system produces in response to specific allergens). Unfortunately, in most cases, these tests are negative, and it is necessary to broaden the search for causes: the context in which the urticaria occurs should not be overlooked.
It is important to evaluate both the levels of Vitamin D3 and Zinc, which play a role in modulating the immune response, and, above all, the inflammation resulting from sugars and foods.
One can choose to undergo a PerMè Medical Program, which allows for the evaluation of both food-related inflammation (by measuring levels of inflammatory cytokines such as BAFF and PAF) and inflammation related to sugars (by measuring methylglyoxal and glycated albumin).
The product, accessible to everyone, allows for the creation of a personalized food profile, which suggests which foods to limit and how to manage them within one’s diet.
Following these recommendations is often sufficient to reduce the need for additional therapies with antihistamines or corticosteroids, and in many cases, leads to a complete recovery.
Conclusion
Urticaria, with its multiple causes and manifestations, presents a challenge for modern medicine. However, thanks to advancements in research, we are expanding our understanding and developing more targeted treatments. If you have recurrent hives that resist traditional therapies, it is essential to consult a doctor for an accurate diagnosis and a personalized therapeutic approach. With the evolution of knowledge and treatments, the goal is to offer patients a life free from the symptoms of urticaria.
Edited by The-scientific-editorial-Team
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