Have you ever felt like an army of ants are crawling under your skin, leaving behind unbearable itching and red rashes? Urticaria Before without knowing its causes and signs, let us learn about this common disease and the most prominent ways to treat it in the lines of our article today.

What is meant by urticaria?

Hives, also known as urticaria, is a skin condition characterized by the sudden appearance of raised, itchy lesions, such as blisters or blisters, as a result of allergic reactions within the body.

These temporary skin reactions range in size from small bumps in a specific area to large, widespread patches that can cover large areas of the body. 

The distinguishing feature of urticaria is its transient nature, with each blister usually lasting from a few minutes to 24 hours, although new blisters often continue to appear.

Hives affect about 20% of people around the world at least once in their lives, making knowledge of the types and causes imperative and important for proper management.

It is worth noting that there are chronic cases of urticaria, but they are usually not permanent.

Types of urticaria

Doctors usually classify the types of urticaria according to many factors, including the duration of the disease, the causes leading to it, and triggers. There is no doubt that knowing the types helps greatly in choosing the appropriate treatment method, so we will learn together about the most important of them:

Acute urticaria

Acute urticaria results from an allergy to some types of food and some types of antibiotics. It also appears with some insect bites or exposure to viral infections. The disease usually does not last more than a month and a half. 

Hereditary urticaria

Hereditary urticaria is often accompanied by severe swelling of the skin, or what is called angioedema. It is a rare type of urticaria that is spread through hereditary genes that are confirmed through family medical history.

Cholinergic urticaria

Cholinergic urticaria is distinguished from other types by the appearance of small spots on the skin causing severe itching. This type results from an increase in body temperature after exercising or after eating a hot meal.

Angioedema

Angioedema is one of the most dangerous types of urticaria and is characterized by severe and deep swelling under the skin, especially the skin of the face. The tongue, throat, and lips are also subject to swelling and severe redness, which affects breathing and many other functions. This type is accompanied by other symptoms of urticaria, and is considered a complication of the disease.

Cutaneous urticaria

Cutaneous urticaria, the most common form of the condition, manifests as visible raised, intensely itchy blisters on the skin.

These blisters can vary in color, from white or skin-colored to red or pink, and may have a pale center when pressed.

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In contrast to the spontaneous, endogenous nature of cutaneous urticaria, physical urticaria, or physical urticaria, refers to the condition developed by certain physical stimuli.

It is classified based on the excitation of the physical stimulus, which may be mechanical (friction, pressure, vibration), thermal (cold, heat), or radiation.

Symptoms are usually transient, lasting from 20 minutes to 3 hours, but they disappear and reappear in other skin areas.

In summary, somatic urticaria is a distinct subtype of chronic urticaria that occurs as a result of specific somatic triggers that lead to transient and sometimes systemic symptoms.

What we mentioned are not the only types of urticaria, as there are acute and chronic types that we will discuss with you in other articles.

Causes of urticaria

Hives arise from a variety of causes, depending on whether the urticaria is acute or chronic. The most prominent causes include the following:

• Allergic reactions: One of the most common causes of acute urticaria is an allergic response to certain substances, such as foods, medications, or environmental allergens.
• Food allergiesFoods frequently associated with urticaria flare-ups include: 
  • Nuts.
  • Shellfish and fish.
  • Eggs.
  • Some fruits, such as kiwi and bananas.

These allergenic foods can trigger an immediate immune response, causing blisters to break out within minutes to hours of eating them.

• Underlying medical conditions: Hives may be a sign of an underlying medical condition, such as an autoimmune disorder, infection, or thyroid dysfunction.

You can also read Causes of sudden skin allergies in children

Urticaria of unknown cause

 In a large number of cases, the exact cause of urticaria remains unknown, and the condition is classified as idiopathic.

When chronic urticaria occurs for an unknown reason, it is called chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU).

This means that despite comprehensive medical evaluation, the trigger remains unidentified.

How can urticaria be diagnosed?

Diagnosis of urticaria usually involves a comprehensive medical evaluation by a health care professional, such as a dermatologist, allergist, and sometimes an immunologist.

1. Knowledge of medical history: The health care provider collects detailed information about the patient's symptoms, including the appearance, duration, and frequency of blisters, as well as any potential trigger factors.
2. Clinical examination: Focuses on the appearance and distribution of pimples;
3. Allergy test: In cases of suspected allergic triggers, the doctor may recommend skin prick tests (SPT) or blood tests;
4. Pathological examinationsDepending on all of the above, your doctor may order additional tests, such as blood tests or imaging tests, to rule out underlying medical conditions that may contribute to urticaria.

Treating urticaria permanently

Management of urticaria usually involves a combination of therapeutic strategies that vary based on the severity of the condition and the patient's chronic condition, including:

• Allergy medications: The main line of defense in treating urticaria is the use of antihistamine medications. 

Antihistamines can be effective in reducing the severity and duration of acute urticaria attacks, as well as providing relief for chronic urticaria, and include diphenhydramine, loratadine, and others.

• CorticosteroidsIn cases where antihistamines alone are not sufficient, the doctor may prescribe short-term courses of oral corticosteroids, such as prednisone. 

These medications can help suppress the underlying inflammatory response that contributes to the formation of pimples.

• Immunotherapy and biological treatmentsFor individuals who suffer from treatment-resistant chronic urticaria, the doctor may resort to using immunomodulatory medications, such as: Omalizumab or Cyclosporine. 

These targeted therapies aim to address the underlying immune system disorder that may be behind persistent breakouts.

Book your consultation now at Dermatology and beauty center At Al Mousa Specialist Hospital and get the appropriate treatment

Prevention of urticaria

In addition to pharmacological interventions, lifestyle changes can play a crucial role in managing urticaria, which include:

• Avoid known triggers, such as certain foods or environmental factors, can help prevent or reduce pimple breakouts. 
• Stress reduction techniques, such as meditation or yoga, are also beneficial for individuals who suffer from chronic urticaria, as stress and tension can aggravate the condition.
• Maintaining healthy skin By using gentle, fragrance-free skin care products and using cold compresses or soothing lotions that help relieve pain and prevent irritation of damaged skin.
• Medical care: Regular consultations with a specialist doctor are essential for the effective management of urticaria.

Tips to prevent urticaria

The specialist doctors at Al Mousa Specialist Hospital provide you with tips to prevent urticaria or reduce the chances of infection as much as possible, the most important of which are:

1. Always maintain a healthy lifestyle and balanced food that contains minerals and vitamins that strengthen the immune system.
2. Protect the skin by avoiding excessive exposure to the hot sun, or avoiding cold, and constantly using skin moisturizers.
3. Stay away from furry pets as much as possible, as well as places with pollen or dust to avoid irritating the skin.
4. Know the triggers and avoid them. You must identify the foods and medications that trigger urticaria, stay away as much as possible from cleaning products, and prevent the use of cosmetics that irritate the skin.

Complications of urticaria

Complications of urticaria appear in very few cases, especially if it is of the acute type that disappears quickly, but in some cases it may affect the lifestyle in general, especially if it is a woman, and the disease causes the following:

1. Constant itching may cause sleep disturbances along with mood swings and stress.
2. When angioedema occurs, severe swelling of the facial skin may occur, affecting the airway.
3. A skin rash that causes social embarrassment and loss of self-confidence for the patient, especially women.
4. In some cases, symptoms may develop, including shortness of breath, swelling of the throat and tongue, and low blood pressure.

Is urticaria dangerous?

Although urticaria can be an alarming and uncomfortable condition, it is generally considered a non-life-threatening disorder.

Although urticaria itself is not serious in most cases, it can be associated with angioedema or anaphylaxis, which are medical emergencies that require immediate treatment.

Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction in the body that can lead to:

• Constriction of the airways (bronchial tubes).
• Difficulty breathing.
• Severe low blood pressure.

In these cases, it is necessary to seek immediate medical attention and administer epinephrine (adrenaline) in measured doses;

Is urticaria contagious?

No, of course, urticaria is not contagious and is not transmitted from one person to another, even through contact or the use of shared tools. It is a reaction of the immune system as a result of some stimuli and appears on the skin as well. There is no evidence that the causes of urticaria are bacterial or viral infections that are transmitted through people..

FAQs

What foods cause urticaria?

There are some foods that help increase itching and sensitivity in urticaria, the most prominent of which are fish such as salmon, tuna, and crab, dairy products, some nuts such as almonds and walnuts, eggs, and some fruits such as strawberries, kiwi, and chocolate.

Does hives go away on its own?

Yes, in some cases, urticaria may go away on its own, especially in types that are accompanied by simple and mild symptoms, but to be sure whether the condition requires treatment or not, you must consult the specialist doctor at Al Mousa Specialist Hospital.  

How many days does urticaria last?

The duration of urticaria depends primarily on the type of disease and its causes. For example, acute urticaria does not last more than a month and a half, physical urticaria lasts only hours, while chronic urticaria may last for several months and sometimes years.

Does cold cause urticaria?

Yes, cold may cause hives, known as cold urticaria, which is an allergic reaction due to the skin being exposed to a low temperature due to exposure to very cold air.

Individuals with a history of severe allergic reactions or who are prone to anaphylaxis should work closely with their health care providers to develop an emergency plan and ensure access to appropriate emergency medications, such as a self-administered epinephrine device.

With its diverse manifestations and underlying causes, urticaria remains a complex and often confusing skin condition, so; 

Sources and references

Hives (Urticaria) | Causes, Symptoms & Treatment – acaai

 Urticaria (Hives): a complete overview – Urticaria