VIDEO
Dr Dantini Discusses Hives and Urticaria
What are hives?
Urticaria is the medical name for hives, which are welts (pink swellings) that usually last a few hours and then fade away. New hives appear as old areas fade. Hives can be quite small or cover broad areas of the body. The itch of hives can be intense and sometimes burn or sting. If hives occur in deeper tissues of the eyes, mouth, hands, or genitals, the swelling is called angioedema.
Hives can be due to a variety of underlying problems, including infections. Repeated and chronic episodes often occur as an allergic reaction to foods (most commonly nuts), chocolate, milk, insect stings, or medications and usually break out within a few hours of the exposure. Hives that come out as a result of sunlight, cold, pressure, or exercise are called the physical urticarias. Pressure urticaria is manifested as a deep welt in an area of prolonged pressure.
Chronic urticaria is defined as hives lasting longer than six weeks. In the overwhelming majority of cases, the hives are idiopathic, a term meaning there is no discernible cause. But it is certainly worth finding out if you are in the 5% of cases with a cause. Thyroid or liver problems, herpes, skin diseases, dental infections, sinusitis, or allergic causes can be discovered with a thorough history and physical, along with blood and urine tests and sometimes a skin biopsy. In chronic idiopathic hives, many researchers feel that the body’s overactive immune system is the culprit. Hives are treated mainly with antihistamines, including no sedating antihistamines such as Claritin® or Zyrtec®.
If needed, a sedating type of antihistamine (hydroxyzine, cyproheptadine, or doxepin) is added at night. If the hives continue, a short course of cortisone (steroids) may clear the hives completely.
Terms:
Urticaria – The condition, commonly referred to as hives, is caused by the body’s natural reaction to an allergen.
Angioedema – Characterized by the rapid swelling of skin.
