Hives: Different types at a glance

Spontaneous hives

Typical symptoms occur in spontaneous hives suddenly and without first identifiable triggers such as itching, hives, and swelling of the skin. Depending on the duration of the skin rash will distinguish between acute and chronic hives: while an acute hives often but also already again subsides after two weeks - usually at the latest after a few hours -, one speaks of a chronic hives, if symptoms persist longer than six weeks. Often, no cause for the complaints can be found in chronic hives.

Physical hives

A physical hives triggered by external stimuli such as pressure, cold, light, friction or heat. Overall, there are over 20 different subtypes. In the following you will find the most famous:

1. Pressure hives: this form of hives cause pressure on specific body parts deep swelling. The swelling occurs most frequently on the back and on the soles of the feet and the palms of the hand.
2. Cold hives: cold hives can be triggered by cold air, cold water, or cold objects. As in other forms of urticaria also it comes to swelling and hives on the skin and mucous membranes. The symptoms are either a few minutes after the cold stimulus on or, but only then, when the body heats up again. The cold stimulus to trigger the typical symptoms of hives must be how big is different from person to person. Patients who suffer in cold hives, should always wear an emergency passport by the disease is noted. This is important for example in infusions, because sufferers administered only warmed up they get are allowed.
3. Light - hives: this form of hives is mostly caused by UV-A rays, in rare cases also through UV-B rays. In those places that have come with the rays in contact wheals form a short time later. The light urticaria is relatively rare.
4. Friction hives: approximately two to four percent of Germans suffer on friction - hives - the most common form of physical urticaria. The disease is caused by friction on the skin. The typical symptoms of hives can be caused for example by chafing of backpack carriers, but also by the friction of a T-shirt.
5. Heat hives: typical symptoms only occur when heat hives that have come with the heat source directly in contact. As well as light - hives also heat hives is extremely rare.

Cholinergische hives

Cholinergische hives is the most common special form of hives. It is triggered by a rise in body temperature and occurs especially in young adults. However, a cholinergic urticaria is rarely treated as occurring symptoms are usually weak. On average, this form of hives from two to ten years stops before it finally disappears.

Trigger of the cholinergic urticaria is an increase of in body temperature. This can be caused, for example, through sports, spicy foods, alcohol, fever, hot water, or emotional stress. The first hives can occur already during of the temperature rise. Mostly they disappear quickly, only in rare cases, they remain more than three hours.

How to contact with hives

Contact urticaria occurs only at the point that came with the release directly in contact. Triggers can be in a wide variety of substances: contact urticaria will, for example, often caused by LaTeX - in particular occupational groups, often wearing latex gloves, are affected. But also in the kitchen, contact urticaria is not a rare phenomenon: here the typical symptoms arise from contact with raw food, such as peeling potatoes or when manipulating fish.

It is particularly important to find the shutter of the complaints in the treatment of contact hives. This must be avoided then as far as possible in the future. This is not possible, antihistamines can be taken to suppress the unpleasant symptoms.

Occupied tongue

Our tongue is essential for the talk, taste and swallowing. On the tongue is also seen, whether or not our body is healthy: the tongue is busy, burns and hurts them or is swollen, this can provide an important indication of a physical disease. We explain how a healthy tongue should look, what is behind a white, yellow or brown coating of the tongue and what you can do if your tongue hurts or is swollen

Function of the tongue

The tongue has several important functions for humans. First of all, it plays an important role at dinner: This ensures that that the food in the mouth moves. As a result, the food can be crushed and eingespeichelt. Swallowing makes the tongue then sure that dehydrated food into the mouth is pushed.

But the tongue is not only for the processing of food, but also for the taste of importance: total distinguish five kinds of taste: sweet, sour, bitter, salty and unami - that means as much as hearty and savory. Today, we know that there are no fixed areas of taste. However, the different flavours in certain areas are perceived particularly strong:

1. Sweet on the tip of the tongue
2. Sour and salty at the edges of the tongue
3. Bitter at the back of the tongue
4. UNAMI in the middle of the tongue

In addition to tasting and swallowing the tongue for speaking is essential. Because many sounds could not be formed without the help of the tongue. So the quality of the debate is about in Parkinson's patients, will decrease the mobility of the tongue in the course of time often.

Tongue and health

Our tongue reflects the State of health of our body: a disorder is present, this not infrequently is on the tongue to detect. It is therefore important that you regularly check your tongue - best to present a mirror with daylight.

Ideally, check the condition of your tongue right in the morning after getting up, before you brush your teeth or drink a cup of coffee. Check whether changes in the color or the shape you notice. If you discover something worrying you a doctor - at best a general practitioner or a dentist.

If the tongue is

In the healthy condition, our tongue is pale red, smooth and moist. It is covered with a thin white layer, which consists of bacteria, food residues and old cells. At dinner, or through a careful oral hygiene this deposit is usually rubbed off.

The tongue is strong, this indicates mostly a disease of the body. Depending on the color of the tongue coating are different diseases in question:

1. White tongue coating: A thick, white tongue coating frequently suggests on gastro-intestinal problems. It can occur in the context of a cold. The white covering only right and left of the Middle Channel, is also a disorder of the pancreas can be the cause.
2. Yellowish surface of the tongue: the tongue is slightly yellowish, is probably a fungal infection of the trigger. A furry feeling in the mouth often occurs in additionally. Slightly stronger yellows can, however, indicate a disorder of the biliary or liver.
3. Red tongue coating (Himbeerzunge): A red tongue in infectious diseases such as Scarlet fever occurs frequently. Typically, the tongue is then small Thickenings. Other symptoms such as headache, abdominal pain, or pain in the area of the ribs, also a disease of the gastro-intestinal tract, the liver or the heart may be the cause. Burns the tongue Additionally, this indicates an inflammation of the tongue. In addition, it is also conceivable that the red tongue is caused by a vitamin B-12 deficiency.
4. Brown tongue coating: A Brown coating of the tongue is raised mostly by errors in the intestine. Is the tongue Additionally swollen, also a kidney weakness may be the cause. A brownish coating on the tongue can be caused but also by certain foods or pleasure poisons.
5. Gray surface of the tongue: the tongue is greyish discoloration, this may indicate an iron deficiency or an anaemia.
6. Black tongue coating: A black tongue coating is also referred to as 'Hairy', because the tongue by a change of tongue papillae looks like hairy. Such a surface can occur as a side effect of treatment with antibiotics. In addition, a hairy tongue can indicate but also on serious diseases, which go hand in hand with a significant weakening of the immune system.

Swollen tongue

Burning tongue (Glossodynia)

About two to three percent of Germans suffer from tongue burn every now and then. Menopausal women are most frequently affected. Some of the complaints appear permanently, only sporadic on others. Burning is usually above all on the sides and the tip of the tongue. Often, it comes in addition to the pain to other symptoms such as dry mouth, taste disorders, as well as a furry feeling in the mouth.

Causes of a burning tongue

Different causes can hide behind the burning sensation on the tongue. Diseases or disorders in the oral cavity or to the teeth - such as caries, oral mucosa or gums inflammation and ill-fitting dentures include first and foremost. As well, a contact or a food allergy, as well as a fungus can cause discomfort.

In addition, it is also possible that the burning sensation on the tongue is caused by internal disease or disease of the nervous system. Among the possible causes are thus including also diabetes, thyroid disease, diseases of the digestive system, Multiple Sclerosis, and Neuropathies. As well, an iron and a vitamin B12 deficiency can lead to a burning tongue. In addition, psychological causes are possible.

Inflamed tongue

The tongue is inflamed, usually various symptoms occur together: the tongue is swollen, reddened, painful and is often littered with bubbles. Often local irritation - such as tooth edges are similar to when the tongue burning cause of tongue inflammation. But also vitamin and iron deficiency, diabetes or liver disease can lead to an inflamed tongue. The gargle with Chamomile or Sage tea is recommended to relieve the first complaints.

Benign inflammatory changes of the surface structure are available on the tongue, this is called map tongue. On the tongue, namely map similar changes are formed: it caused red spots that are bordered by a whitish seam. Sometimes a map tongue without other symptoms occurs, frequently, but also burning pain making their presence felt. Often is also a folding tongue, which is characterized by deep grooves on the tongue.

Swollen tongue

The tongue swells suddenly, quick action is needed. Then, an allergic reaction that can have life-threatening consequences, which often is the cause. In such a case you should consult a doctor as soon as possible.

Swollen tongue especially at the edges and teeth marks that occur on the sides it can indicate among other things to a liver disease or an underActive of thyroid. In addition, the swelling can triggered by a disorder of the stomach intestinal area. Here, too, it is advisable to medically explain the cause.

Blisters and pimples on tongue

Form small blisters on the tongue, this often involves canker sores. Canker sores call inflammation in the mucosa shows that disappear by themselves after a few days. You have a milky color and are surrounded by a red border. To relieve the symptoms, pain-relieving creams and disinfecting solutions are suitable.

In addition, small blisters or pimples on the tongue can supply but also a reference to gastro-intestinal problems, allergies, and a weakened immune system. If the symptoms last longer, you should consult a doctor as a precaution.

Clean tongue

Your tongue tends to be heavily occupied, you should clean it regularly. Naturally solid food can contribute to rub food remnants and old cells on the tongue. In addition, you can clean your tongue with a soft toothbrush or a special tongue scraper. Always be sure to clean the tongue from back to front.