Urticaria Information - Symptoms and Treatment

Urticaria is a disorder realted to skin in which red patches and weals appear on the skin. Urticaria in latin means stinging nettle.Urticaria is a raised itchy and painful skin rash sometimes called a “nettle rash” or hives. The release of chemicals from mast cells in the skin causes small blood vessels to leak and results in tissue swelling. The weals can be a few millimetres or several centimetres in diameter, coloured white or red, often surrounded by a red flare, and frequently itchy. Each weal may last a few minutes or several hours, and may change shape. Weals may be round, or form rings, a map-like pattern or giant patches.

Urticaria may not be present all the time. Some find it more noticeable at certain times of day, or when they are warm or emotionally upset. There are two types of Urticaria namely 1)Acute urticaria 2)Chronic urticaria. Urticaria or hives is a relatively common form of allergic reaction that causes raised red skin welts. Urticaria is also known as nettle rash or uredo. These welts can be to 5 mm (0.2 inches) in diameter or more, itch severely, and often have a pale border. Urticaria is generally caused by direct contact with an allergenic substance, or an immune response to food or some other allergen. Hives can also be caused by stress. In chronic cases, the intense itchiness will cause sleepless nights and may lead to a depressive illness.

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