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Papular urticaria in kids is quite common and their own actions are the reasons for it. The presence of insects and bugs can cause us to rush and get our bug spray, but children would prefer to play around with them and be intrigued by them. While a level of curiosity is healthy and quite important in children, this can sometimes get the better of them and leave them to handle various insect bites. If these bites are not the usual ones that quickly heal in a couple of hours, these can manifest into red coloured spots all over and be extremely itchy. This is serious and needs to be handled in a better way.
What is Papular Urticaria?
Papular urticaria is a unique condition where a child might show extreme sensitivity to common or specific insect bites, leading to a deluge of hives covering the body. These can be localised in the area of the bite, or even spread to other areas as well. Since this is usually the body’s way of combating any potential infection, the rashes are not contagious.
What Causes Papular Urticaria?
The bugs and insects present in the world are of several innumerable varieties, with each of them having a unique speciality. Some of the major causes are:
- Fleas at home
- Presence of pets
- Exposed to bugs on public transport
- Bed bugs and mites on pet birds
- Surroundings of the home infested with various insects
Signs and Symptoms of Papular Urticaria
The signs and symptoms of papular urticaria are pretty evident and can rarely be ignored. The site of the insect bite becomes red and swollen. Similarly, rashes also might emerge in that region as well as other areas of the body, with numerous tiny red bumps that itch a lot. These are only present on the skin’s upper layer and occur in clusters.
Papular Urticaria Treatment in Children
Papular urticaria outbursts can be effectively treated by the use of medications. Some of them require the prescription of a doctor, while others can be procured directly from a pharmacy.
1. Doctor-prescribed Medications
Your doctor will first conduct a proper examination of the area and get a good understanding of the severity. Depending on how severe it is, he may prescribe a bunch of topical steroids to be applied to the affected areas, along with a cycle of oral corticosteroids to counter the infection from within. If the infection seems to be of a more severe nature, a dose of antihistamines that work systemically might be prescribed as well. To keep any infections in check, oral antibiotics are usually paired with these.
2. Over-the-Counter Options
While getting any kind of medication directly from the pharmacy, it is essential to get only those that won’t end up harming the child. These are mostly restricted to certain lotions or creams that contain good amounts of menthol or calamine. A cooling effect is a common result of these, bringing some relief from the inflammation. Similarly, some common antihistamines can be consumed to counter the allergy. Do talk to your doctor to get a right dosage for them.
How to Prevent Papular Urticaria in Kids?
To prevent papular urticaria in toddlers or kids, all you need is to undertake some simple precautions. All of them revolve around reducing the presence and interaction of your little ones with the insects around.
- It is best to refrain from housing any pet birds or chickens close the house since the presence of mites can substantially increase due to them.
- Conduct a pest control treatment within your home to remove any harmful insects or mosquitoes in your surroundings.
- Insects can hatch from the eggs they have been laid around your house too. Vacuum your entire home properly and dispose of the vacuum bag in a faraway place.
- In case you do keep pet birds or other livestock close to your home, make sure you use medications and other treatment methods to control the growth of fleas on their bodies.
- Keep any beds and items that surround the pets completely clean and disinfected regularly.
- Start using child-safe bug sprays around different areas of your house to stop the insects in their tracks.
- Make sure your pets are bathed regularly to keep them clean and hygienic.
- While venturing out in areas filled with insects, make sure your children are fully covered and protected from any insect bites.
- Carry out regular inspections of your pets for any fleas and mites growing on their bodies, treating them immediately if so.
- Keep any time you spend with pets or insect-ridden areas to a minimum.
- Remove any infestations of bed bugs as soon as you can, since they can thrive quite easily.
- Make use of bedding nets or insect-repellents if your home has many insects.
Home Remedies for Papular Urticaria
Here are few home remedies you can opt for that can bring the welts under control and reduce the itching as well.
1. Oatmeal
It might be one of the most nutritious breakfast choices for your kid, but it also is a potent remedy to treat the outburst of papular urticaria. Put a good amount of oatmeal in water and let it soak for around 10-15 minutes. Once it has soaked all the water, pour some more water in it. Use a thin cloth and filter out the oatmeal paste, draining out the water. Apply the water on the swollen area and the relief would be near instant.
2. Aloe Vera Gel
Using aloe vera gel to carry out quick cooling in areas of irritation or inflammation is a well-known home remedy. This can be used in instances of the occurrence of papular urticaria as well. By applying the gel on the area, the cooling effect can reduce the inflammation, especially when aggravated after itching the area.
3. Simple Salt and Water
While this may not seem like a remedy of any kind, drinking a full glass of water mixed with a spoon of salt is quite beneficial in this regard. The itching on the skin reduces gradually and the swelling begins to wane too.
4. Garlic
The multipurpose garlic can show its power even in the case of papular urticaria. What most anti-inflammatory drugs end up doing, garlic shows similar results without the presence of any steroids. Eating a few garlic cloves with honey two times in a day can relieve the inflammation successfully.
5. Turmeric
The usage of turmeric to combat papular urticaria is possible in more than one way. The first is a direct application on the area in the form of a paste, which reduces the itching sensation immediately. The other method is to drink water mixed with turmeric powder to control the swelling.
6. Herbal Tea
Drinking herbal teas have their benefits in such a scenario too. The swelling and inflammation tend to reduce over time by drinking peppermint or parsley tea regularly.
7. Essential Oils
Various essential oils form a core part of skin products for this precise reason. These oils, such as chamomile, have properties that work towards keeping the skin healthy and relieving any irritation present.
8. Peppermint Oil
This is one oil that is usually suggested as a quick home remedy in cases of papular urticaria. Drinking a small swig of it can bring about a substantial relief from the pain almost instantly.
When to Consult a Doctor
It is best to see a doctor right away once you see the symptoms of papular urticaria. At times, these might be indicative of measles, hepatitis or any other infections, which would require to be treated almost immediately to prevent fatal complications.
Papular urticaria in babies could cause them to be in extreme discomfort and be quite taxing on the parents. Making use of home remedies to calm the inflammation and resorting to any treatments suggested by the doctor are key to controlling the situation effectively.
