Urticaria or hives is described as an elevated, itchy rash that develops on the skin. It can develop on one part of the body or spread over large areas. The rash is quite itchy and varies in size from a few millimeters up to the size of a hand. Even though the affected region can change in appearance in 24 hours, the rash typically settles in a few days.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxJIPmDeOoA
- Acute – rash completely settles within 6 weeks
- Chronic – rash persists or comes and goes for more than 6 weeks, often over several years
When to consult a doctor
A doctor should be consulted if the symptoms do not settle within 48 hours or the symptoms are severe, disrupts with daily activities, causes distress or occurs with other symptoms.
Who are usually affected by urticaria?
In acute cases of urticaria, it is relatively common and affects many individuals at some point in their lives. Children are often affected as well as women age 30-60 years old and those who have a history of allergies. As for chronic urticaria, it is uncommon and affects only a few individuals.
Possible causes
Urticaria develops once a trigger instigates an elevated level of histamine along with the release of other chemical messengers in the skin.
Remember that these substances trigger the blood vessels in the involved region to dilate and leak out. The excess fluid in the tissues results to itchiness and swelling.
Histamine can be released due to various reasons such as the following:
- Heat or cold exposure
- Allergic reaction
- Infection such as common cold
- Certain medications such as antibiotics or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
Nevertheless, in most cases of urticaria, there is no obvious cause. Some cases of long-term urticaria might be triggered by the immune system that wrongly attacks the healthy tissue. On the other hand, this is hard to diagnose and the treatment options are the same.
Management
In most instances, treatment is not required since the rash often settles within a few days. In case the itchiness causes discomfort, antihistamines can be given which are available over-the-counter.
A short course of steroids or oral corticosteroids can be used occasionally for managing severe cases of urticaria. If the individual has a persistent case, he/she might be referred to a specialist. The treatment might involve medications to alleviate the symptoms while determining and avoiding possible triggers.