Urticaria
Also known as: Hives
What is it?
Urticaria, also called hives, is a skin condition
characterized by intensely itching welts, also called
wheals. Wheals are small, either pale or reddened
swellings.
Who gets it?
Adults and children can get urticaria, but it is more
likely in those with allergies or sensitivities to heat or
cold.
What causes it?
Urticaria is usually triggered by allergens, such as
drugs, foods, insect bites, inhaled substances, or latex.
Some people develop hives in response to sunlight, cold,
heat, stress, exercise, or a viral infection. An allergic
reaction occurs when the immune system produces antibodies
and other disease fighting cells in response to an
allergen. The antibodies release chemicals that actually
injure the surrounding cells and cause physical symptoms.
Certain antibodies release histamines, which affect the
skin and mucous membranes.
What are the symptoms?
Urticaria symptoms include itching, followed by
swelling and redness. Hives usually remain for anywhere
from several hours to 24 hours, then go away, leaving the
skin looking normal again. They may, however, clear up in
one area only to appear in another. This pattern can
continue for as long as the allergen remains. When larger
areas of the skin are involved, the condition is called
angioedema, and may include severe swelling that
interferes with breathing.
How is it diagnosed?
To diagnose urticaria, your doctor will take a complete
medical history and perform a physical examination. In
many cases, hives clear up on their own and don’t require
diagnosis or treatment. However, a patient with frequent
flare-ups of urticaria may need to see a specialist called
an allergist to determine what is causing the reaction.
What is the treatment?
Urticaria is treated with antihistamines to relieve
swelling and itching. An oatmeal bath product, available
over the counter, may also help relieve itching. Taking a
bath or shower can make hives go away if they have been
caused by skin contact with an allergen, such as pollen or
animal dander. If your condition is caused by a certain
allergen, your doctor will tell you to avoid that allergen
as much as possible. If swelling is severe, your doctor
may prescribe a corticosteroid, which is taken orally for
the best results. When swelling affects your ability to
breathe, you need emergency treatment, which includes
antihistamines and an injection of epinephrine to open the
airways.
Self-care tips
Many people are sensitive to certain foods, such as
nuts, strawberries, shellfish, additives or preservatives.
Drugs in the penicillin family, as well as bites from
bees, wasps, or mosquitoes, are also common causes of
hives. You can prevent hives by avoiding allergens that
trigger this condition.
This information has been designed as a comprehensive and quick reference
guide written by our health care reviewers. The health information written
by our authors is intended to be a supplement to the care provided by your
physician. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for
professional medical advice.
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