Pediatric Urticaria, commonly known as hives, is a common allergic skin condition characterized by the enlargement of blood vessels and increased permeability of the skin and mucous membranes. It is characterized by redness and localized swelling of varying sizes on the skin, often accompanied by itching. The underlying pathology involves temporary dilation and sudden increase in permeability of the capillaries in the skin and mucous membranes. The majority of cases are caused by allergic reactions, and acute cases generally have a good prognosis. There are many causes of urticaria, including bacteria, viruses, parasites, pollen, dust, chemicals, and even certain foods. Chronic urticaria refers to the condition where hives occur at least twice a week and last for ≥6 weeks. In some cases, chronic urticaria may present as intermittent episodes.
Traditional Chinese Massage Treatment Methods
Massage Method 1
1. Common Techniques
(1) The child lies on their back, and the parent uses their thumbs, index, and middle fingers to symmetrically pinch and grasp the Hundred Insects Acupoint located on the inner side of the child's knee, performing 5 repetitions on each side.
(2) Use the thumb to knead the Zusanli Acupoint on both feet, performing 50-100 repetitions on each side.
(3) The patient lies in a prone position, and the parent rubs the muscles at the Dijiu Acupoint on the diaphragm with a single palm, then pinches and squeezes the area with the thumb and index/middle fingers, repeating the process 5-10 times.
(4) Massage the bilateral Quchi Acupoint for 1 minute each.
2. Modification according to symptoms
(1) Wind-Heat type: Sudden onset, red rash, burning and intense itching of the skin, symptoms worsen with heat and improve with cold, accompanied by redness and swelling of the throat, thirst, restlessness, red tongue, thin yellow coating. Additional techniques:
① Clear the Lung Meridian 300 times, retreat the Six Fu Organs 200 times.
② Massage the Dazhui Acupoint for 1 minute.
(2) Wind-Cold type: Pale or pale red rash, aggravated by cold or wind, relieved by heat, mainly affecting exposed areas, may be accompanied by aversion to wind and cold, headache, body aches, pale tongue, thin white coating. Additional techniques:
① Push the Three Gates Acupoint 300 times.
② Massage the Fengchi Acupoint 20 times, knead Hegu Point 10 times, pinch Jianjing Point 5 times.
(3) Rheumatic type: Scattered small hives all over the body, with papules or large blisters on the hives, intense itching, red tongue, thin yellow or white coating. Additional techniques:
① Tonify the Spleen Meridian 200 times, knead the Outer Labor Palace 30 times.
② Massage the Fengmen, Feishu, and Pishu Acupoints for 1 minute each.
(4) Spleen-Stomach Disharmony type: Hives are either red or pale, accompanied by poor appetite, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, loose stools, pale tongue, white greasy coating. Additional techniques:
① Rub Zhongwan Acupoint for 5 minutes.
② Massage the Pishu, Weishu, and Dachangshu Acupoints for 1 minute each.
③ Tonify the Spleen Meridian 300 times, knead Banmen Point 50 times.
(5) Blood Heat Accumulation type: Burning and itchy skin, immediate appearance of red or purple streaks upon scratching the skin, which may merge into patches, red tongue, yellow coating. Additional techniques:
① Clear the Large Intestine Meridian 200 times, retreat the Six Fu Organs 100 times, clear the Spleen Meridian 50 times.
② Massage the Sanyinjiao Acupoint for 1 minute.
③ Push the Yongquan Acupoint 50 times.
(6) Qi Stagnation and Blood Stasis type: Long duration of the disease, dark red or pale red rash, dull complexion, purple lips, dark eye sockets, purple tongue, Additional techniques:
① Massage the Renzhong Acupoint for 1-3 minutes, and combine with palm rubbing technique.
② Use both palms to rub and stroke from the armpits to the lumbar region 15-20 times.
Massage Method 2
(1) The child lies on their back, and the parent uses their thumb to knead the Renzhong Acupoint for 1-5 minutes.
(2) Massage the Quchi, Fengchi, Zusanli, and Xuehai Acupoints for 1 minute each.
(3) The child lies in a prone position, and the parent uses their palm to rub the area from the Shenshu to the Dachangshu, with the degree of heat penetration as the guide.
Massage Method 3
(1) The child sits, and the parent uses their palm to massage and rub the child's neck, focusing on heat penetration.
(2) The child sits or lies prone, and the parent uses their thumb and index finger to knead the Fengchi Acupoint on both sides, causing a sore and swollen feeling in the local and lateral parts of the head.
(3) Pinch and knead the Xuehai and Sanyinjiao Acupoints for 2 minutes each, and spread the sore and swollen feeling upwards and downwards for best results.
(4) The child lies on their back, and the parent uses their palm to rub the navel in a clockwise motion for 5 minutes.
Prevention
1. Pay attention to diet
The onset of urticaria is related to diet, and certain foods may be triggers. For example, fish, shrimp, seafood, canned foods that contain artificial colors, preservatives, yeast, etc., pickled foods, and beverages can all trigger urticaria. Additionally, highly acidic and spicy foods can decrease the digestive function of the gastrointestinal tract, leading to prolonged retention of food residues in the intestines and an increased chance of protein and peptide formation, thus increasing the likelihood of allergies.
2. Maintain hygiene
Mite prevention is important; it is best to have fewer pets such as cats and dogs in the home. Avoid exposing children to pollen and avoid activities in areas with trees and grass.
3. Pay attention to weather changes
Take measures to keep warm to prevent cold-induced urticaria; children with urticaria should wear loose and breathable clothing to avoid irritation to the affected areas.
4. Be cautious with medications
Some medications can cause urticaria, such as penicillin, tetracycline, chloramphenicol, streptomycin, sulfonamide antibiotics, antipyretic and analgesic drugs such as antipyretic and analgesic drugs such as antipyretic and analgesic drugs such as antipyretic and analgesic drugs such as antipyretic and analgesic drugs such as antipyretic and analgesic drugs such as antipyretic and analgesic drugs such as antipyretic and analgesic drugs such as antipyretic and analgesic drugs such as antipyretic and analgesic drugs such as and aspirin. If allergic symptoms occur when using these drugs, they should be stopped immediately, and prompt combination therapy for urticaria should be sought.
5. Get enough rest
Ensure adequate sleep and maintain a regular lifestyle to enhance the body's immune system.
