What lifestyle modifications can I suggest to patients to help manage their urticaria symptoms?

Lifestyle modifications to help manage urticaria symptoms include:

• Identify and avoid known triggers or causes of urticaria, such as certain foods, medications (e.g., NSAIDs), or environmental factors, where possible. Clear instructions on avoidance strategies should be provided to patients.
• Encourage patients to keep symptom diaries to track frequency, duration, and severity of episodes, which can help identify triggers and guide management.
• Advise patients to avoid nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) if these are suspected to exacerbate symptoms, with a trial period of several weeks without these drugs if appropriate.
• Educate patients about the self-limiting nature of mild urticaria when an avoidable cause is identified, to reduce anxiety and unnecessary treatment.
• Provide information on managing itch and skin care, including the use of topical antipruritic treatments such as calamine lotion or menthol-containing creams to relieve symptoms.
• Advise on the importance of adherence to prescribed antihistamine treatment and discuss the potential need for dose adjustment or alternative therapies if symptoms persist.
• Support patients in understanding the chronic or recurrent nature of some urticaria cases and the importance of a personalized management plan, including when to seek specialist advice.

These lifestyle modifications, combined with appropriate pharmacological treatment and patient education, form the cornerstone of urticaria management in primary care.

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