Urticaria is the medical term for pale red, raised bumps that appear in groups on the skin. Each bump usually subsides within a few hours without leaving a trace. While old areas fade, new bumps may appear. Urticaria areas can vary in size from as small as a pinhead to the size of a dinner plate. They can merge to form very large bumps. Urticaria bumps are usually itchy, but a burning or stinging sensation may also occur.
Hives, or urticaria, occur when plasma leaks from small blood vessels in the skin. This is caused by the release of a chemical called histamine. Histamine is released from mast cells located in the blood vessels of the skin. Allergic reactions, chemicals in food, or medications can all cause histamine release. However, sometimes it is impossible to determine the cause of urticaria.
Urticaria is quite common. It can occur in 10-20% of the population at some point in their lives. Many urticaria attacks resolve within a few days or weeks. Rarely, urticaria can persist for years in some individuals.
If hives occur around the eyes, lips, or genital area, they can cause severe swelling in these tissues. Despite their frightening appearance, they usually subside within 24 hours. However, if you experience difficulty breathing or swallowing, you should seek emergency medical attention.
Acute Urticaria
This is a type of urticaria that lasts for a short time. The most common causes are foods, medications, or infections. Sometimes insect bites and internal diseases can also be a cause. Other causes include pressure, cold, and sunlight.
Foods: The most common foods that cause hives are nuts, chocolate, fish, tomatoes, eggs, fresh strawberries, and milk. Fresh (raw) foods are more likely to cause hives than cooked foods. Food additives and dyes can also cause hives.
Medications: Any type of medication can cause hives. Some of these medications include antibiotics, pain relievers, tranquilizers, and blood pressure medications. Over-the-counter diet pills, antacids, rheumatic medications, vitamins, eye and ear drops, laxatives, vaginal medications, or other products can also cause hives. If you experience hives, you should inform your doctor about all the products you are using for an accurate assessment.
Infections: Many infections can cause hives. In children, pharyngitis and the common cold can be particularly common causes of hives.
Chronic urticaria
Urticaria that lasts longer than 6 weeks is called chronic urticaria. Finding the cause of this type of urticaria is more difficult than finding the cause of acute urticaria. Chronic urticaria is much rarer. Your doctor will ask you questions, examine you, and perform necessary tests to investigate the cause of chronic urticaria.
Physical urticaria
Urticaria can also occur in response to sunlight, heat, cold, pressure, vibration, and exercise. Sunlight-induced urticaria typically appears within minutes of sun exposure and subsides within one to two hours. Cold-induced urticaria is quite common and usually occurs when moving from a cold environment to a warm one. If cold affects large areas of the body, excessive histamine release can cause shortness of breath, redness, generalized urticaria, and fainting.
Dermatographic urticaria (Dermographism)
If urticaria appears after the skin is scratched or irritated, it is called dermographism. It occurs in 5% of the population. People with this condition are generally healthy. Dermographism can also accompany other types of urticaria. It occurs more often in young women and can last for months.
Treatment
The best treatment for urticaria is to find and eliminate the cause. This is not always easy, and sometimes it may not be possible to find the cause. Antihistamine medications are quite helpful and should be used regularly. A single antihistamine may not always yield good results. Dermatologists may recommend combination treatments. In severe cases, adrenaline injections or cortisone treatments may be necessary.
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