Urticaria are an itchy rash that can appear anywhere on your body. This rash is sometimes called wheals. It comes and goes and can last from hours or days (acute, last less then 6 weeks) to months (chronic, last more then 6 weeks). Urticaria usually occur within 1–2 hours of exposure and disappear in most cases within 6-8 hours and cause no harm, however, it can sometimes be a sign of a serious allergic reaction, drug reaction or even life-threatening anaphylaxis.
What causes Urticaria?
Urticaria form most when your immune system releases a chemical called histamine. Urticaria can be triggered by lots of things:
Infection from a virus is the most common cause of hives in children
Direct contact with plants or animals
Allergic reactions to food, medicines or insect stings
Hives can be caused by physical triggers, including cold, heat, sunlight, delayed pressure, vibration, rubbing or scratching your skin
Rarely, exercise, sweating, alcohol, spicy food or coffee may cause hives
Stress can cause hives and may make symptoms worse
What are the symptoms of hives?
The key symptoms of hives are weals that:
are round or form rings, a map-like pattern or giant patches
are a few millimetres or several centimetres in diameter
coloured white or red
can affect any part of your body
Severe cases
If the rash is widespread or you have any swelling of your mouth or airways, seek medical help to identify the cause and prevent life-threatening reactions. You may need adrenaline and steroid medicine.
Dott. Giovanni Biondo
Specialista in Dermatologia e Venereologia
Master Universitario di II Livello in Chirurgia Plastica
Milano, via Meravigli 16
Telefono: +39 02 366 85 103
WhatsApp: +39 329 734 776 5
Email: dott.giovannibiondo@gmail.com