Hives and urticaria are the same condition, causing raised patches of skin and itching. They can be caused by allergies, medications, and environmental factors. Treatment includes antihistamines and corticosteroids, while prevention involves avoiding triggers.
There is no difference between hives and urticaria. Hives is a skin condition that causes intense itching and the rapid development of raised, smooth patches of skin. It is commonly called hives and is often the sign of an allergic reaction. This condition most often occurs on the face and trunk. Occasionally, the affected area extends to the throat and causes difficulty breathing. In these severe cases, emergency injections of adrenaline or corticosteroids may be needed.
Urticaria is characterized by an outbreak of red and white welts of various sizes that appear suddenly in small areas or all over the body. The bruises often come and go, lasting anywhere from a few minutes to a day or two. Sometimes, the outbreak can last for weeks. Acute urticaria lasts less than six weeks, while the chronic form lasts longer. Additional symptoms such as intense itching, fever, and nausea may accompany hives.
This condition can be caused by an allergy to certain foods, especially shellfish, strawberries or tomatoes. Hives can also be a reaction to medications, food dyes, or animal skin. Contact with certain plants, insect bites and insect bites can also lead to an epidemic. Cold weather, sunlight, and exercise are also known to cause hives and hives. A predisposition to hives tends to run in families.
A diagnosis of urticaria is based on observing symptoms. If a patient suffers from repeated outbreaks of hives, his or her doctor may need to perform allergy tests to pinpoint the cause. Allergy testing can be extensive and time consuming as suspected triggers are individually tested before they can be discounted. Eliminating many suspect foods and then reintroducing them one at a time sometimes helps identify the cause.
The itching and bruising of hives and hives are treated with antihistamines. When taken several times a day at the prescribed dose, the correct type of antihistamine will help control swelling by preventing the released histamine from triggering the hives. Drowsiness and dry mouth are common side effects of antihistamines, so the type and dosage may need to be adjusted periodically to minimize discomfort. Severe outbreaks of hives are sometimes treated with corticosteroids to reduce inflammation.
Prevention of hives and hives is achieved by avoiding contact with the trigger substance or allergen. Sometimes, the trigger substances or allergens cannot be identified. Hives that develop from unknown causes are called idiopathic. Idiopathic urticaria can cause chronic episodes of itching and bruising and may require regular treatment with antihistamines or a combination of antihistamines and corticosteroids.
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