Urticaria

What is urticaria?
Urticaria is also known as hives. Red or pink swellings appear on the body and sometimes face but disappear within hours usually. They are very itchy and sometimes the lips and tongue may also swell. This is called angioedema. Urticaria is common and one in five people suffer from it at some point in their lives. The swelling is due to histamine release which causes increased blood flow to the area, increased fluid and itching.

What causes urticaria?
It may be triggered by a viral illness, eg the flu or by certain medications but often no cause is found for urticaria and in most people it goes away within a few days or weeks.

However a few people can experience it for longer periods and if it lasts more than six weeks it is called chronic urticaria. This usually resolves but may take a year or even longer.

Rarely urticaria may be caused by cold, pressure, inflammation of blood vessels, sunlight, eating spicy foors, exercise, or bathing in water. Coming into contact with citrus fruits, cats, dogs, eggs, nuts or rubber can bring out wheals in some sufferers.

What treatments are there?
Avoiding things that you notice worsen your urticaria is important. You should also avoid alcohol and aspirin.

Antihistamines usually help. The newer antihistamines won't make you drowsy. Short courses of oral steroids are sometimes used for severe urticaria but they have side effects if used on a long term basis. There are a few other treatments available for urticaria which your Doctor can discuss with you.

Is it dangerous?
The rash of urticaria is a nuisance but not dangerous. However if swelling of the lips or tongue causes difficulty in breathing then you should go to your nearest Accident and Emergency Unit for treatment.