What is the reason for the "wind bumps" when the spring breeze blows?

Spring is here, and everything is coming back to life. As flowers and plants bloom, allergens such as pollen also increase, and more and more people are suffering from allergies, and urticaria is one of them. According to Wang Lijuan, deputy chief physician of the Department of Dermatology of the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, urticaria is also known as "wind bumps" and is the most common allergic skin disease in dermatology. It manifests as red round or oval raised wheals on the skin, surrounded by a red halo, similar to the swelling and itching caused by mosquito bites. The wheals vary in size, some larger than the palm of the hand, and can be connected into one piece. The itching is very strong, especially at night, which may seriously affect the patient's sleep.

Wang Lijuan said that the wheals may appear in a short period of time or disappear within 24 hours, but they may reappear in other places after disappearing. Some patients will also experience swelling of the skin or mucous membranes such as the eyelids and lips, which is called angioedema. The cause of urticaria is complex, and most patients cannot find the exact cause. The most common triggers include various infections, food, drugs, inhalants, and even physical factors such as cold and heat, sunlight, pressure, friction, and exercise. Sometimes it may also be caused by emotions such as work pressure or other underlying diseases. Urticaria can be divided into acute urticaria (course ≤ 6 weeks) and chronic urticaria (course > 6 weeks) according to the length of the course of the disease. Acute urticaria is a self-limiting disease, and most of them disappear within a few days to six weeks, but some patients will develop chronic urticaria if they are not treated in time.

Wang Lijuan said that anyone can get urticaria, and about one in five children or adults will suffer from acute urticaria in their lifetime. Since the rash of acute urticaria is temporary and will subside within 24 hours, providing photos of the rash during the attack will help the doctor to make a clear diagnosis. When the symptoms are mild, they can usually be relieved on their own. If the local skin itching is obvious, keeping the environment cool and wearing soft, loose clothes will help relieve the itching.

Doctors remind that acute urticaria is rarely life-threatening. However, if chest tightness, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, and cyanosis of the face and lips occur, it indicates that the patient may be at risk of anaphylactic shock. In addition, swelling of the tongue or throat can also cause difficulty breathing or suffocation, endangering the patient's life and health. It is recommended that people with a history of urticaria try to maintain a healthy lifestyle on weekdays, and patients with a history of food allergies should strictly avoid eating allergenic foods. When traveling, you can prepare some safe oral antihistamines such as loratadine, cetirizine, etc. for backup. Once urticaria occurs, it should be actively observed and treated. When the condition tends to worsen or other symptoms appear, you should seek medical attention in time.