We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission.Here’s our process.
What is urticaria pigmentosa?
Urticaria pigmentosa (UP) is an allergy-mediated skin condition that causes discolored lesions anditchy skin. The condition is characterized by the presence of too many mast cells in the skin. Mast cells are part of your immune system. Their job is to produce inflammation by releasing a substance called histamine in response to germs and other invaders. In UP, there are too many mast cells in your skin.
This disease is most commonly seen in infants and children, but it can also affect adults. The main symptom is dark-colored lesions on the skin. The lesions may be very itchy and difficult not to scratch. When you rub or scratch them, the lesions respond with a Darier’s sign. A Darier’s sign looks likehives. It’s caused by the release of histamine from the mast cells.
In most children, UP goes away by puberty. Complications are typically only seen in older children or adults. Rarely, UP may evolve into systemic mastocytosis in an adult. In systemic mastocytosis, mast cells can build up in other organs of the body. In rare cases, this may result in mast cell leukemia or mast cell sarcoma, which are both forms of cancer.
The main symptom of UP is brownish lesions on the skin. Rubbing the lesions releases histamines which produce intense itching along with blisters or hives (Darier’s sign).
Symptoms of UP may include:
- pruritus(itching that varies in severity and intensity)
- flushing(redness of the skin)
- hyperpigmentationof lesions (very dark coloring of lesions)
一个dults or adolescents are more likely to have uncommon symptoms. These include:
- diarrhea
- tachycardia (rapid heart rate)
- nausea or vomiting
- fainting
- dizziness
- headache
The exact cause of UP is unknown. There may be a genetic cause in some cases. The child either inherits an abnormal gene from one of their parents, or there is a gene mutation. In other cases, it may appear for no reason. The inherited form of UP is very rare, with only about50 documented cases.
Doctors do know that when the lesions are rubbed, they release histamines. Histamines are chemicals that start an immune response. Ordinarily germs or other invaders activate the immune response. In UP, there is no invader. The immune response results in itchy lesions on the skin.
The diagnosis of UP is based on observation of the lesions. Darier’s sign is a classic symptom that implies UP and most lesions look similar in color. Lesions that appear different from others may be a sign of cancer.
Possible cancers may include:
- melanoma(the deadliest of skin cancers)
- basal cell carcinoma(uncontrolled growths or lesions in the outer layer of skin)
- actinic keratosis(a precancerous scaly patch of skin caused by years of sun exposure)
Your doctor will test any unusual looking lesions for cancer. This will require a small skin sample for microscopic examination and testing. Your doctor will recommend askin biopsyfor this purpose.
There is no cure for UP. Treatment focuses on easing symptoms and controlling lesions. Your doctor will recommend a specific treatment based on the number of lesions and your tolerance. For example, painless and easy-to-apply treatments might be best for young children.
Treatment options include:
- antihistamines to relieve itching and flushing of the skin
- topical corticosteroids (gel or cream with anti-inflammation properties)
- intralesional corticosteroids (injection with anti-inflammatory steroid medications)
- hydrocolloid dressings (acts like a bandage to hold medication to the skin)
- fluocinolone acetonide (a synthetic corticosteroid)
- chlorpheniramine maleate (antihistamine used to control allergic reactions)
- In adults, a form of light therapy called photochemotherapy using ultraviolet (UV) radiation has proven to be an effective treatment.
To encourage recovery:
- Do not rub the skin.
- Do not pick at blisters (no matter how tempting).
- Do not scratch the lesions. This will only send out more histamines creating a bigger reaction.
People with UP should avoid certain medications, including:
- aspirin
- codeine
- opiates (morphine and codeine)
一个lcohol intake should be limited or eliminated since it can be a trigger for UP.
Most cases of UP affect only the skin. Cases where UP affects other organs are generally found in older children and adults.
UP can affect the following organs:
- liver
- spleen
- bone marrow
Unfortunately, the treatment for UP can have some unintended side effects. Side effects of prolonged treatment include:
- red skin syndrome (RSS)(corticosteroid withdrawal)
- diabetes mellitus(glucose intolerance due to chronic use of steroid therapy)
- insulin resistance(body grows immune to the presence of insulin)
大多数情况下出现的in children. As they grow older, the majority will outgrow the disease. Lesions generally fade as a child moves into adulthood. Up to 25 percent do not outgrow the disease and retain lesions into adulthood.
There is no sure way to prevent UP. The inherited form is very rare, and even when the child has the abnormal gene, they may not ever develop UP.
However, you can prevent the disorder from getting worse. Try the following methods:
- Help your child from scratching or rubbing their irritated skin to prevent the lesions from spreading.
- 一个void hot baths to keep from drying out their skin and making the itching worse. Bathing in lukewarm (or cool) Aveeno oil baths have been shown to control itching.
- 一个void itchy, irritating clothing. Try cotton or other light fabrics instead.
- Keep fingernails short.
- Have them wear light cotton gloves to bed to prevent scratching.
Shop for Aveeno bath treatments and oils online.
Your pediatrician may have more tips. Most cases of UP clear up by the time the child is a teenager.