What is Urticaria?

Urticaria, also known as hives is a skin condition where red raised, and itchy welts suddenly pop on the skin's surface. These welts can vary in size and shape and sometimes combine to form larger areas of swelling called plaques and they tend to fade within 24 hours, although they may be noticeable for several days or longer.  Urticaria can be short-term or long-term, depending on the duration of symptoms.

Types of Urticaria

• ‍Acute Urticaria: Lasts for a short duration, typically a few hours to a few days. It is often related to a specific trigger, such as an allergen. 

• ‍Chronic Urticaria:  Persists for more than six weeks and may last for months or even years. The cause is often more challenging to identify.

Causes

Acute Urticaria:

Acute hives are often allergic reactions to something you consume, such as food, drink, medication, or even something you come into contact with. Our skin has immune cells known as mast cells, when these cells go into action, they release chemicals including histamine which is the reason that hives form.

You can also get hives for a variety of other reasons. Some of these include having an infection, stress, or physical pressure on your skin.  It's quite common for healthcare professionals to not be able to pinpoint the exact cause of your hives.

Chronic Urticaria:

Chronic hives, unlike acute hives, are usually not caused by allergies. They are caused by bacterial or viral infections, or even by certain medical conditions like lupus. Sometimes healthcare providers may not discover an exact cause, and in such cases, chronic hives are referred to as idiopathic or spontaneous.

Chronic hives do last for long periods but usually aren’t permanent. They can be uncomfortable, but they aren’t life-threatening.

‍Symptoms:

Hives can appear in various ways, and how they look depends on the person and the situation. They may show up anywhere on your body. 

• Pink or red welts that vary in size and shape.
• The affected areas are usually intensely itchy.
• Swelling may occur, especially around the eyes, lips, and sometimes the throat.
• Hives blanch (the center of the hive becomes pale when pressed).
• In chronic Urticaria they appear, disappear, and then reappear at least every few days for long periods, even months or years.
• Happens along with heat, exercise, or stress.

Diagnosis:

Your doctor can determine if you have hives by examining your skin. Allergy tests can be useful in identifying the trigger for a reaction, although they are most effective for acute hives. Understanding the cause of your hives can assist you in avoiding allergens and the resulting hives. Allergy tests for diagnosing hives may be involved.

Skin tests:

During this test, healthcare providers test different allergens on your skin. If your skin turns red or swells, it means you’re allergic to that substance. This type of allergy test is also called a skin prick or scratch test. However, skin testing is typically not performed for chronic hives.

Blood tests:

A blood test examines your blood for particular antibodies. These antibodies are produced by your body to combat allergens. If your body makes too many antibodies, you can develop hives and swelling.

Treatment:

If your symptoms are not severe, you might not require treatment. Hives and angioedema frequently resolve on their own. However, seeking treatment can provide relief from severe itching, significant discomfort, or persistent symptoms.

Medications

Treatments for hives and angioedema may include prescription drugs:

• ‍Anti-itch drugs: The standard treatment for hives and angioedema is antihistamines that don't make you drowsy. These medications reduce itching, swelling, and other allergy symptoms. They're available in nonprescription and prescription formulations.

• ‍Drugs that suppress the immune system: If antihistamines don't work, your doctor may recommend a medication that can help soothe an immune system that's working too hard.

• ‍Drugs for hereditary angioedema: If you experience hereditary angioedema, you might need medication to alleviate symptoms and maintain specific protein levels in your blood to prevent any symptoms from occurring.

• ‍Anti-inflammatory drugs: For severe hives or angioedema, doctors may prescribe a short-term treatment of an oral corticosteroid medication to reduce swelling, inflammation, and itching.

‍Prevention:

• Cut certain food products out of your diet.
• Reduce exposure to airborne allergens.
• Switch to detergents and soaps without scents or dyes.
• Avoid extreme temperature changes.
• Relax and take a break when you’re stressed or overworked.
• Wear loose-fitting, lightweight clothing.
• It may not be possible to prevent chronic hives. Your provider may not be able to find exactly what causes them. They may also be a part of a bigger medical condition that affects your immune system.

It's important to consult with a healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate management of urticaria, especially if symptoms are severe or persistent.

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