| In layman's language Urticaria is called hives; so do | | | | Basic types of the condition |
| not think they are two different medical | | | | There basically two major classifications of the |
| conditions. It has red-pinkish itchy welts or swelling | | | | Urticaria among other minor one; acute and |
| that appear on the skin; the can appear and | | | | chronic. The main difference is the duration of the |
| disappear daily with new ones sprouting in | | | | condition and the severity on the body with each |
| different new places as the old ones disappear | | | | demand different type of medication to |
| anywhere on the body. Mostly they occur singly | | | | completely eradicate it. |
| or in groups forming ugly patches on the skin. In | | | | 1. Chronic condition |
| some cases the spots may be as large as one | | | | This condition is referred to as the type that last |
| inch, and when they are in group they can merge | | | | for more than six weeks or longer, in most cases |
| and colonize a very large area. | | | | they appear, disappear and recur regularly hence |
| Causes of Urticaria | | | | medical attention must be sort to completely |
| It is caused by viral infection or allergic reactions | | | | eliminate it. These are rarely caused by allergy but |
| to several elements. Basically, it is a counter | | | | infections by germs or other underlying conditions. |
| reaction to an event that triggers an immune | | | | As the condition advances the blotches turn to |
| response in the body especially in people who are | | | | whitish raised wheals that vary in sizes. |
| allergic to some proteins. Some allergens that | | | | Sometimes the condition is caused by several |
| trigger hives can be in foods, proteins that come | | | | underlying factors as the presence of lupus or |
| in contact or applied on the skin, inhaled inhalants | | | | thyroid malfunction and disorders in self |
| or germs as bacteria and viruses. Just like any | | | | immunology system. This condition is mostly |
| other infection that gets into the body, the | | | | treated through the use of anti-histamines drugs. |
| antibodies react to fight them. In the course of | | | | 2. Acute condition |
| the anti-bodies fighting the allergens dilation is | | | | This is the condition that lasts less than six weeks |
| caused in the blood vessels of skin layer- | | | | and is mostly caused by the allergic triggers as |
| cuteneous making the extra blood to accumulate | | | | stated above. In this situation, the welts appear |
| locally hence the swellings appear. As more and | | | | and disappear on their only-mostly within a week. |
| more blood accumulates the red-pinkish blotches | | | | The acute condition has been proved to affect at |
| tend to itch. | | | | least 20% of the population at point one of life. |
| Other causes | | | | Diagnosis |
| There are other causes of hives that are neither | | | | It is easy to diagnose Urticaria for the red-pinkish |
| allergic nor non allergic. These conditions are | | | | swelling are easily visible, but identifying the |
| caused by friction as by worn clothes, stroking of | | | | specific form is a bit tricky and only time will tell if |
| the skin causing linear shapes, exerted pressure | | | | there are no other accompanying symptoms. |
| on the skin and extreme temperatures that | | | | Care should be taken not to confuse the condition |
| conflict with the body temperature gauge. | | | | with others as ivy, oak and sumac poisoning. |