Causes of urticaria or hives and methods of treatment

In our article on Dalili Medical website, we will review general information about a skin disease known as "urticaria", which is also called "hives" in popular circles. We will seek to answer questions such as "What is urticaria?", "What are its symptoms?", and "What are its types?".

**What is urticaria?**

Urticaria, also known as urticaria, is an allergic reaction that occurs in the body as a result of taking a certain medication, food, or other factors. It usually appears in the form of pink or red bruises, or itchy pimples. Urticaria is a common disease, as 10-20% of people suffer from it at some point in their lives, and studies show that women are more susceptible to it.

**How ​​does urticaria develop?**

Urticaria can be acute or chronic. Urticaria is considered acute if symptoms last for less than 6 weeks, while a condition that lasts for more than 6 weeks is called chronic urticaria.

**Types of urticaria:**
Urticaria is divided into two main types:

1. **Acute or temporary urticaria:** This type of urticaria lasts for hours and up to 6 weeks.

2. **Chronic or persistent urticaria:** It lasts for more than 6 weeks, and may extend for several months or even years. Chronic urticaria often causes pain and discomfort, and may affect daily activities.

**Types of hives (urticaria):**
- **Acute urticaria:** It is defined as acute if the symptoms last less than 6 weeks.
- **Chronic urticaria:** This is called this name if the symptoms last for more than 6 weeks.
- **Angioedema:** If swelling occurs in the face or eyes, it is classified as a type of angioedema.
- **Physical urticaria:** It occurs when urticaria lesions appear in areas of contact as a result of cold, pressure, heat, or sun.
- **Contact urticaria:** It occurs in areas of contact as a result of exposure to chemical agents.
- **Cholinergic urticaria:** Appears after exercise.
- **Dramatography:** Occurs as a result of excessive scratching or stroking of the skin, which leads to the appearance of hives due to itching caused by other factors.

With this, we have provided a comprehensive overview of urticaria, its types and symptoms.

**What are the causes of allergic urticaria?**

When an allergic reaction occurs, the body releases histamine and other chemicals that lead to itching, swelling and other symptoms. Among the substances that may cause urticaria are:

- Animal hair
- Insect bites or stings
- Medications
- Vaccines
- Foods, especially seafood and fish, although reactions to nuts, eggs and milk are also common.

There are other factors that may lead to an outbreak of urticaria, such as emotional stress, exposure to high or low temperatures, a variety of diseases and infections, and exposure to water.

**Is hives contagious?**

In most cases, hives are not contagious, except for one case involving viruses that can be passed from one infected person to another. The vast majority of hives are not contagious, and hives often occur repeatedly, especially in children and women, and usually go away within one to two days if the person is not exposed to allergens. If the rash lasts longer than days or weeks, it may be called chronic hives.

**Hives with fever?**

If the symptoms of hives are accompanied by fever, shortness of breath, low blood pressure, and nausea, this may be a sign of a serious allergic reaction that requires medical attention.

**Hives and diarrhea**

If hives occur with diarrhea, you may have an intestinal infection or a medical condition such as food poisoning, irritable bowel syndrome, traveler's diarrhea, or stomach flu.

**Do hives itch?**

Hives cause intense itching due to dilation of blood vessels, which causes the skin to stretch and irritate the nerves. However, some types of hives don't itch, such as those that appear after scratching or rubbing the skin.

**Are hives painful?**

Hives are usually more itchy than painful, and people with hives rarely experience pain. However, hives caused by vasculitis can be painful and leave bruises and marks on the skin, and may last for more than a day or two.

**Causes of sudden hives**

- Exposure to changing or extreme temperatures, such as sweating from high temperatures due to exercise or other factors.
- Having a viral or bacterial infection such as viral hepatitis, influenza, or urinary tract infections.
- Exposure to pollen, fungal spores, or animal dander.
- Having an autoimmune disease such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, or type 1 diabetes.
- Hormonal fluctuations, such as those that occur during pregnancy or after menopause or as a result of thyroid problems.
- Exposure to sunlight or ultraviolet light.
- The body's release of adrenaline in response to anxiety or stress.
- Exposure of the skin to direct pressure such as wearing tight clothing or a tight belt around the waist.
- Bee or wasp stings.
- Various vaccines.

What is spontaneous urticaria and why do we distinguish between acute and chronic urticaria?

Spontaneous urticaria is a condition that occurs "suddenly", meaning that patients cannot predict when the next attack will occur, and often cannot consciously trigger these attacks. Spontaneous urticaria can affect any part of the body.

As for acute urticaria, which is the most common type, it lasts for no more than 6 weeks. Acute urticaria usually disappears within days or weeks after the appearance of deep skin cells or swelling of the skin. In most cases, there is a single attack that causes great concern, especially since the symptoms may not be completely known to patients until that moment.

Chronic urticaria, also known as spontaneous urticaria, lasts for more than six weeks and is less common compared to acute urticaria.

Types of physical urticaria include:
- Urticaria caused by rubbing or scratching.
- Urticaria 

Cold urticaria when the skin comes into contact with heat sources.

Heat urticaria when the skin comes into contact with heat sources.

Heat urticaria when exposed to sunlight or ultraviolet radiation.

Pressure urticaria.

Vibration urticaria.

Cholinergic urticaria, which occurs when temperatures rise (such as hot baths).

Water urticaria.

Contact urticaria.

Exercise urticaria or physical stress.

Is urticaria dangerous?

The swelling usually disappears after a short time, and urticaria is not dangerous in this case. However, it can become dangerous in severe cases where the throat swells, causing shortness of breath. In these cases, you should go to the emergency room immediately.

Is urticaria contagious?

Urticaria is not contagious, as the allergy cannot be transmitted by touch or any other means.

**Symptoms of Hives**

Hives appear as raised, itchy bumps that may be red or skin-colored, and can last from minutes to months or even years. Although they are similar to insect bites, hives (also known as urticaria) are different in several ways:

- Insect bites can appear anywhere on the body, and they may change shape and move from one place to another, then disappear and reappear within a short period of time.
- The red or skin-colored bumps with clear edges usually appear suddenly and disappear just as quickly.
- When you press on the center of the red hive, it turns white, a process known as "blanching."

**Diagnosing Hives**

Children may develop hives after being exposed to a certain cause, and the child may not be well when the infection occurs, which may be the result of something as simple as a seasonal cold. A child is rarely sick when hives first appear. Although these hives can be annoying and cause severe itching, children are not at risk of any harm, as this condition is not associated with severe allergic reactions.

Antihistamines do not provide complete control of symptoms, but large, widespread hives often go away on their own and do not require treatment for the underlying infection if the child is otherwise healthy.

**Ways to prevent urticaria**

Some lifestyle changes can help prevent urticaria or worsening symptoms, including:

- **Choosing a soap free of irritants**: Many types of soap contain irritating chemicals and perfumes, which can lead to skin irritation and sensitivity, and thus urticaria. It is recommended to choose a soap made from natural materials and free of these harmful substances, and in the case of skin sensitivity, it is preferable to use a soap designed for sensitive skin.

- **Avoid allergenic foods**: There are a group of foods that may cause a rash when eaten, a condition known as "food allergy". These foods include peanuts, fish, eggs, and milk. Food allergies can be noticed by the appearance of certain symptoms after eating certain foods, such as feeling tired, rashes, and itching, as the body treats these foods as enemies and produces antibodies that attack the body and cause these symptoms.

**Avoid taking medications without consulting a doctor**

Many people resort to taking medications without consulting a doctor, which increases the likelihood of developing multiple skin problems such as urticaria. Many medications may cause side effects on the skin, especially if they contain compounds that cause allergies. Therefore, it is necessary to consult a doctor before taking any medication to ensure that it is suitable for the health condition. You must also adhere to the doses specified by the doctor and not exceed them, and avoid taking more than one medication at the same time, as some medications can conflict with each other and lead to the appearance of urticaria. In the event of any negative effects such as a rash or feeling very tired, you should stop taking the medication and go to the doctor to get a suitable alternative.

**Avoid stress**

Stress can be a cause of urticaria, as psychological pressure and stress can lead to skin sensitivity. Therefore, it is important to stay away from stressful situations and look for ways to relieve stress. Here are some tips to relieve stress:

- **Exercise**: Exercising helps greatly in reducing stress, so it is recommended to allocate time daily to practice physical activities, whether light sports such as walking or yoga exercises that promote relaxation and psychological calm.

- **Good sleep**: Lack of sleep increases the chances of stress and anxiety, especially when waking up early to go to work, which leads to feeling tired and decreased productivity. Therefore, you should get at least 7 hours of sleep daily, while making sure to sleep early and wake up early. To avoid sleep disorders, it is preferable to avoid caffeinated drinks in the evening and avoid exercising before bed. You can follow a soothing routine before bed, such as listening to music or drinking a cup of warm milk, while reducing the lighting and avoiding annoying sounds.

- **Eat healthy foods**: There are some foods that contribute to relieving stress, such as foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as fatty fish, nuts, avocados, and olive oil. It is recommended to include these foods in the diet to benefit from their benefits in reducing stress and anxiety.

- **Drink soothing drinks**: You can drink some drinks that help relax and reduce stress, such as warm herbal drinks such as anise and chamomile. Green tea is also an effective way to combat stress, as it contains antioxidants that reduce levels of stress and anxiety in the body.

**Natural ways to treat urticaria**

**Cold compresses:** Cold compresses are an effective way to relieve itching and rashes resulting from urticaria. It is preferable to 

To start, try compresses on a small area of ​​skin to make sure there is no irritation or worsening of symptoms, and then you can use them on the affected areas. Instead of compresses, you can take a cold shower, which provides relief for the body, especially in hot weather that may lead to increased sweating and irritation.

**Oatmeal:** Oatmeal is used in many types of body washes due to its ability to relieve itching and inflammation and moisturize the skin. Oatmeal can be used to treat hives naturally by adding it to bath water and sitting in it for 15 to 20 minutes, then rinsing the body with cold water. With regularity in this process daily, the feeling of itching will decrease and the severity of inflammation will decrease.

**Aloe Vera Gel:** Aloe Vera gel is characterized by its anti-inflammatory and moisturizing properties, as it contains vitamin E, which is essential for skin health. Aloe Vera gel is a natural soother for itching resulting from rashes, and it also helps moisturize the skin. It is preferable to use raw aloe vera gel extracted directly from the plant, and avoid types that have added substances that may cause skin irritation such as alcohol or perfumes. It is also recommended to test aloe vera gel on a small area of ​​skin first, and wait 24 hours before using it on the rest of the affected areas.

**Witch Hazel:** Witch hazel is known for its effectiveness in relieving irritation, and can be used to treat itchy hives. To prepare the recipe, add 5 to 10 grams of witch hazel to a cup of water, mix well, and bring the mixture to a boil. Then, remove from the heat, filter, and leave to cool. After it cools, apply the mixture to the areas affected by hives and leave it for 20 minutes before rinsing it with water.