URTICARIA or hives is characterised by sudden appearance of itchy red patches/ bumps on skin. The rash is a temporary phenomenon. It can sometimes be associated with swelling of lips, around eyes or fingers which is called ANGIOEDEMA.

CAUSES

Hives of acute onset, 6 weeks’ duration, are caused by:

1. Food allergy 2. Infections/ infestations 3. Drugs/vaccines 4. Insect bite 5. Physical stimuli: sunlight, cold, exercise, touch, skin strokes

In many instances, > 50% of cases, one cannot find any reason. This usually happens if the hives last > 6 weeks. This is called spontaneous urticaria/ idiopathic urticaria meaning the cause is unknown.

Consult your board certified dermatologist to know more about this condition.

SYMPTOMS:

Hives appear as red blotches/ swellings on skin. They can appear suddenly on any part of skin including scalp. Usually individual hives disappear within 24 hours’ duration but some may reappear elsewhere. Sometimes the hives may be associated with swelling of lips, around eyes and fingers which is called angioedema.

Sometimes hives may appear to physical stimuli like stroking the skin, cold, sunlight or exercise. In most instances hives disappear <6 weeks with treatment and spontaneously without treatment in some individuals.If the hives last> 6 weeks, then they are labelled as chronic spontaneous urticaria

TREATMENT:

Your dermatologist designs a treatment plan based on your severity and duration of the condition. Usually it consists of oral antihistamines like levocetrizine, desloratidine, fexofenadine, bilastine etc.

If the hives last for duration > 6 weeks and if the hives are not controlled by proper dosage of antihistamines, your dermatologist may advise biological injection called OMALIZUMAB/. Know more about this treatment from your dermatologist when and in whom it can be advised. We give the best Urticaria Treatment in Rajajinagar. Contact us now.

FAQS

1. Are hives contagious?

No, hives are not contagious.

2. Can they be cured?

In acute urticaria where cause is known, avoiding the trigger and proper dosage of antihistamines help to relieve symptoms. In few, the rashes may last for longer duration and may appear on and off once in a while. In such people your dermatologist will device a treatment plan to alleviate the symptoms.

3. Are hives dangerous?

In most instances, hives usually are harmless and resolve on their own or with treatment. However, one should be cautious if the hives are associated with any of the following:.

• Difficulty in breathing/ swallowing

• Hives with swelling on face, inside mouth/ throat

• Giddiness/ light headedness

• Racing heart/palpitations. In such scenarios please visit nearby hospital equipped with emergency care.

Urticaria self-care tips:

1. If your hives recur again and again or frequently maintain a self-journal about the events prior to rash for example:

• Date and time of onset of hives

• Recent food/drinks intake

• Recent medications/ drug intake

• Recent infections like fever, cough/ sore throat/cold/ urine infection/

• Any recent stressful situations encounter

• Physical stimuli

2. Proper skin care with applying moisturisers as dry skin is itchy and scratching often aggravates hives

3. Avoid scratching/ rubbing

4. Having warm baths instead of too hot/too cold water as both of them make your skin itchy.

5. Applying skin calming lotions like calamine to relieve itching/burning sensation while hives happen