Urticaria

Urticaria, commonly known as hives, is a skin reaction characterized by red, itchy welts or bumps that appear suddenly. These welts can vary in size, change shape, and often disappear within 24 hours, only to reappear elsewhere. Urticaria can be acute (lasting less than six weeks) or chronic (lasting longer than six weeks or recurring over months or years).

Key Features of Urticaria:

Appearance: Raised, red or skin-colored welts that can range from small spots to large patches. They often have a pale center and can merge to form larger areas.
Symptoms: Intense itching, sometimes accompanied by a burning or stinging sensation. Swelling can occur, particularly around the eyes, lips, hands, feet, and throat (angioedema).
Duration: Individual hives can last from a few minutes to several hours and usually resolve within 24 hours, although new ones can continue to appear.

Types of Urticaria:

Acute Urticaria: Lasts less than six weeks and is often triggered by allergens, infections, medications, or certain foods.
Chronic Urticaria: Persists longer than six weeks; often idiopathic (no identifiable cause) but can be linked to autoimmune disorders or chronic infections.
Physical Urticaria: Triggered by physical stimuli such as pressure (dermatographism), cold, heat, sunlight, water, vibration, or exercise.
Angioedema: Similar to hives but involves deeper layers of the skin, leading to significant swelling, often around the eyes, lips, and throat.

Common Triggers:

Allergic Reactions: Foods (nuts, shellfish, eggs), medications (antibiotics, aspirin), insect stings, or pollen.
Infections: Viral infections (like colds or flu), bacterial infections, and other illnesses.
Physical Factors: Pressure, temperature changes, sunlight, or exercise.
Stress: Emotional stress can worsen or trigger urticaria in some individuals.
Chronic Conditions: Autoimmune diseases, thyroid disorders, or other chronic health issues.

Treatment Options:

Antihistamines: The mainstay of treatment to reduce itching and swelling. Non-drowsy options like cetirizine, loratadine, or fexofenadine are commonly used.
Corticosteroids: For severe cases, short-term use of oral steroids like prednisone may be necessary.
Avoidance of Triggers: Identifying and avoiding known triggers can help prevent outbreaks.
Omalizumab: An injectable medication used for chronic urticaria that doesn’t respond to antihistamines.
Topical Treatments: Soothing creams or cold compresses may provide temporary relief.

When to Seek Medical Help:

Severe Swelling: Especially around the throat, which can obstruct breathing (medical emergency).
Persistent Symptoms: Lasting longer than a few days or if they interfere with daily life.
Recurrent Episodes: Particularly if they do not respond to over-the-counter treatments.

Urticaria is often manageable with medications and trigger avoidance, though chronic forms can be challenging and may require specialized care from an allergist or dermatologist.