Hives (Urticaria)

Urticaria, popularly known as hives, is a type of skin disease that causes raised rashes on the skin along with itching.

Where on the Body Do Hives Occur?

The prevalence of Urticaria disease, which can also occur in internal organs (especially lips, trachea, eyelids) in very severe cases, is 20-30 percent in the society. Skin lesions in urticaria can occur anywhere on the body and usually disappear within 24 hours. New blisters may form alongside healing lesions.

What are the Types of Urticaria?

It is possible to divide urticaria into two main groups: acute and chronic forms. In the acute form, the disease heals in less than six weeks. However, in the chronic form, the disease can last longer than six weeks and negatively affect the patient’s quality of life.

What Causes Hives?

The causes of hives (urticaria) are as follows;

• Allergic factors
• Especially drugs (most commonly antibiotics, painkillers, epilepsy drugs) and foods (shellfish, fish, milk, nuts, peanuts, potatoes, legumes, celery, parsley, carrots, spices, rice, bananas, apples, oranges) cause urticaria. It is possible. Additionally, food additives, inhaled allergens (such as flower dust, tree pollen), insect stings (such as bees) and implants (such as dental prostheses) also cause urticaria. Urticaria is more common in people with allergies. Because these individuals are more sensitive to the substances mentioned above and react more easily than normal people.
• Depends on environmental and body temperature changes
• In sensitive individuals, urticaria may occur when cold foods such as ice cream are consumed. Urticaria may occur with sweating after physical exercises. Urticaria may occur due to the use of vibrating devices. Urticaria may occur due to the intake of hazelnuts, wheat and shellfish along with exercise. Urticaria may not always occur due to allergic factors. Foci of infection in the body (such as dental infection, urinary tract infection), radiocontrast drugs taken for radiological examinations, anesthetic drugs used for surgical procedures and stress cause urticaria.

How to Understand Hives?

In the majority of patients with urticaria lasting longer than six weeks, the causative agent may not be found. This situation negatively affects the quality of life of patients who have to scratch constantly. A patient complaining of urticaria should be evaluated very carefully. If the patient is not evaluated well and the complaints become severe, life-threatening situations may occur. Swelling that occurs on the lips and tongue and sometimes spreads to the trachea prevents the patient from breathing and requires urgent intervention.

What is Urticaria (Hives) Treatment?

Before urticaria treatment, the examination should be carried out carefully and the patient’s daily life, profession, habits and other diseases should be questioned thoroughly. Special allergy tests and blood tests may be required to detect the causative agent of urticaria. Treatment is easy in mild cases. However, in long-lasting forms of the disease, treatment creates problems for both the patient and the doctor.