If you have certain medication, food, or other allergies, you may have experienced urticaria in the past. Urticaria, which is another name for hives, is a type of allergic reaction that causes itchy skin. Although urticaria is no fun, most cases don't last very long.
WHAT IS URTICARIA?
Urticaria consists of itchy welts that occur when histamine is released in the body after coming in contact with an allergen. It can be found in both acute and chronic varieties, which are based on the frequency that they occur and how long they last. Acute urticaria occurs occasionally, such as after taking a medication that you are allergic to, and clears up quickly. Chronic urticaria can last for several weeks or longer at a time, and it may keep coming back for years.
CAUSES OF URTICARIA
Urticaria can be triggered by a wide variety of allergies, including:
- Prescription or over-the-counter medications
- Foods
- Animals or insects
- Latex
Stress, sunlight, and exercise can also cause or worsen urticaria, and chronic urticaria may be linked to an underlying health issue. These causes can be more difficult to identify than common allergies.
MANAGING URTICARIA
Most cases of urticaria clear up on their own without requiring medical treatment. However, you should seek treatment if your hives are severe, last longer than a few days, or accompany a more serious allergic reaction, such as anaphylaxis. If you aren't sure what is causing your hives, having allergy testing done by an allergist is a great way to find out what you are allergic to and learn how to minimize future reactions.
At AllergyWaco, we care about helping you avoid urticaria and other skin reactions. If you're looking for an allergist in the Waco, Texas area, we are always here to help! Contact us today to learn more about the testing and treatment options we offer or to schedule an appointment!
