Urticaria

What is Urticaria

Urticaria is a type of rash which is made up of wheals. (A wheal is a temporary raised area of the skin which is often itchy).

What are the Symptoms of Urticaria

the rash looks like that which is caused by stinging nettles, urticaria is sometimes referred to as nettle rash.

What are the Causes of Urticaria

In some cases, the cause of urticaria is unknown. When the cause is known, it is often due to an allergic reaction of some sort. Foods such as nuts and seafood for example, can cause some people to break out in hives.

Traditional Medical Treatments for Urticaria

It depends. If you get acute urticaria, the rash will begin within an hour of exposure to the allergen or physical stimulus. (For this reason it is often possible to identify what is causing the rash.) Urticaria will then occur every time the person comes into contact with that allergen, such as a particular plant or stimulus, for example a belt that is too tight. In such cases, avoidance of the allergen or stimulus may be all that is needed; therefore medical treatment may not be required.

However if you do not know what is causing the urticaria, or if the rash persists beyond a few hours, you should visit your doctor.

A person may have chronic urticaria, in which the rash lasts for weeks. If your rash is persistent, visit your doctor for advice on possible treatments.

If you discover that you are allergic to insect bites or bee stings, be aware of the precautions you need to take, such as having a bee-sting kit with you, especially during summer outings.