Saturday, July 28, 2012

The Truth About Chronic Urticaria

By Brian Coze


You might wonder what chronic utricaria is. When we talk of chronic urticaria, we're talking about an allergic reaction. It can be set off by certain factors or triggers, as is usually expected of all types of allergies. The reaction could be triggered by the simple foods you eat. You might be allergic to a type of food that another person is perfectly all right with. You are probably one of those people who eat nuts everyday. However, other people may be allergic to it. The body has a lot of different types of immune cells such as dendritic cells, T cells, mast cells, and others. In response to the various agents and antigens that invade the body, antibodies are produced to combat them. When the immune system creates such a response, it might lead to allergies like chronic urticaria. This will be characterized by swelling, itchy feeling, red colored wheal formation and so on. It might affect the entire layer of skin and even the mouth and lips.

The mast cell is considered to be the main player in the pathogenesis of chronic urticaria. When these cells are stimulated by an external agent, histamines will be soon released. A simultaneous release of prostaglandins will also occur.

The moment cytoplasmic granules produces these, the process of vasodilatation takes place. This will then be followed by erythema. The formation of wheals would necessitate a number of mediators before it could happen. For one, chemo attractants are going to be released by the neutrophils. The person will experience some itching. The use of antihistamines as treatment will not be applicable. Since the causative agents are different, it will not be effective when used.

The disease chronic urticaria can be divided into two main types. Auto immune chronic urticaria is one. Roughly 45 percent of those with chronic urticaria acquire this. The other 55 percent, however, will have the other type: idiopathic type. There will be many types of antibodies that are produced in both cases. The Fc receptor of IgE will be combated using the immunoglobulin G auto antibodies. It will be up against the alpha subunit of the Fc receptor of the IgE. In many instances, they can also be produced to go against the auto antibodies known as anti IgE.

When such reactions or attacks occur in the body, it will lead to the release of histamines from immune cells called basophile. The complement system that is present in the blood will also help this along. These reactions will cause the production of C5a. This will lead to the further activation of the mast cells in the body. It will also become some sort of a chemo attractant. Not surprisingly, it would attract the eosinophils and the neutrophils. The person will then find skin lesions appearing on different parts of his body as a result of the immune cells clumping together and being concentrated in one spot. The dermal mast cells will also be releasing more amount of histamine, leading to more allergic reaction and swelling on skin.




About the Author:



No comments: