Urticaria is a skin condition that affects 1 in 5 people at some point in their lives. It causes intensely itchy, raised patches on the skin known as weals (or hives) that can be round or ring-shaped and may join together.
They often appear after scratching and can affect the skin on any part of the body.
Urticaria occurs when histamine and other chemical mediators are released into the bloodstream by certain body cells called mast cells. The welts form as a result of fluid leaking from the skin’s capillaries.
While the hives themselves usually disappear within 24 hours, the condition may take longer to resolve.
Urticaria is often accompanied by swelling beneath the skin known as angio-oedema. This usually affects softer areas of the body such as the lips, eyelids, or inside the mouth.
Unlike hives, these swellings tend to last longer and are more painful than itchy.
If angio-oedema appears without weals, it may be a hereditary condition called hereditary angio-oedema. In such cases, it is not linked to urticaria and requires different treatment and blood tests for diagnosis.
Depending on how long it lasts, urticaria can be categorized as:
Acute Urticaria — the most common type, where the cause of the outbreaks is usually known. This type typically lasts up to six weeks.
Chronic Urticaria — when outbreaks continue for longer than six weeks and the cause is often unknown.
Physical Urticaria — triggered by scratching, exposure to cold, constant pressure on the skin, sunlight, or an increase in body temperature.
Common causes include allergic reactions, infections—both bacterial and viral—and emotional stress.
Most hives do not require treatment because they usually fade within 24 hours. However, if the condition persists, a doctor may prescribe antihistamines, steroid tablets, or menthol cream to help relieve itching.
People with allergies are more likely to develop hives. They can also appear after taking certain medications or coming into contact with something you may not realize you are allergic to, such as food, pollen, or substances in your environment. In addition, when you are sick or dealing with another health condition, your body may become more sensitive than usual, making hives easier to trigger.
Please SHARE this article with your family and friends on Facebook.
Bored Daddy
Love and Peace
