The main symptom of urticaria is an elevated, reddened, itchy rash. It is important to note that the rash is comprised of raised marks on the skin called hives or wheals. These are quite itchy and vary in size from a few millimeters up to the size of a hand.
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The individual wheals typically fade after a few hours but replaced with new ones on another part of the body. These can manifest on only one part of the body or across a wide area. The skin eventually returns to normal as soon as the wheal fades.
What is the pattern of the symptoms?
In most cases of urticaria, they are transitory or the acute form. The rash manifests abruptly and quite severe after 8-12 hours but typically subsides within 24 hours. The pattern of the symptoms in chronic urticaria can be unpredictable.
Those who have chronic urticaria have outbreak of symptoms that last for 6-12 weeks that are followed by periods in which the symptoms improve or vanish completely. There are certain triggers such as alcohol or stress that can make the symptoms worse. Take note that the symptoms are quite troublesome in the evening which makes sleeping difficult.
When to seek further care
A doctor should be consulted if the symptoms do not subside within 48 hours. If the symptoms are severe which disrupts daily activities, it is best to set an appointment with a doctor as well.
The individual might also need to undergo a short course of steroid tablets if other measures are not effective in managing the symptoms.
What are the causes?
Urticaria develops once histamine and other chemicals are generated under the skin which results to swollen tissues.
Short-term urticaria
The potential triggers for short-term urticaria are unknown in almost half of all cases. The known triggers include the following:
- Food allergy to shellfish, peanuts, cheese and eggs
- Allergic reaction to environmental factors such as dust mites, pollen or chemicals.
- Infections such as common cold or even HIV
- Allergic reactions to latex
- Emotional stress
- Insect bites and stings
- Physical triggers such as pressure on the skin, sunlight, changes in temperature, water and exercise
- Certain medications that causes urticaria as a side effect
Long-term urticaria
This form of urticaria develops once the immune system of the body attacks its own tissue which is called an autoimmune reaction. The antibodies trigger the release of histamine that results to urticaria.
Some chronic cases of urticaria are believed to be related to the autoimmune response, but can oftentimes occur along with other autoimmune conditions such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.
Chronic urticaria can also be linked to other chronic conditions and infections such as viral hepatitis, underactive thyroid gland, intestinal parasites or an overactive thyroid gland. This form of urticaria tends to come and go. There are factors that make it manifest or aggravate the current symptoms which include the following:
- Alcohol
- Stress
- Caffeine
- Warm temperatures
- Insect bites and stings
- Prolonged pressure on the skin
- Certain medications
- Food additives
- Exposure to cold, heat, water or pressure