What is Urticaria or Hives?

Urticaria, also known as hives, is a common allergic disorder in which a red, itchy, lumpy skin rash appears out of the blue. These skin lumps, which are known as weals, can develop anywhere on the body, including the palms and soles. The weals, which have pale centers and red margins, can spread out and join up to form large irregular patches. They are usually about 1cm to 5cm across. These weals can rapidly change shape and come and go over a period of minutes or hours. Urticarial rash can be acute onset (in which the cause is often known and the disorder settles within 6 weeks) or chronic (where it lasts longer).

WHAT CAUSES URTICARIA OR HIVES?

Urticaria is a type of allergy resulting from a release of a chemical called histamine. The cause of this histamine release is often unknown, but common causes are foods, drugs and infestations. Sometimes the cause is very obvious, such as when urticarial rash appears minutes after eating.

CHECKLIST OF POSSIBLE HIVE CAUSES :

Foods: eggs, nuts, shellfish, other fish, cheese, oranges, chocolate, caffeine, strawberries and others
Food colourings
Drugs: penicillin, sulpha antibiotics, aspirin, codeine, vaccines and others
Insect bites: bees, wasps, sandflies, fleas, mosquitoes and others
Azo dyes
Plants: nettles, poison ivy and others
Animals: cats, horses and others
Infection: viral, bacterial or fungal
Infestation: parasites
Exposure to heat and cold
Exposure to sunlight
Underlying chronic disease (e.g. lupus, lymphoma)
Last trimester of pregnancy

NOTE THAT TENSION AND STRESS USUALLY MAKE URTICARIA / HIVES WORSE.

WHAT IS ANGIO-OEDEMA?

This is a serious form of urticaria in which the face, especially the lips and skin around the eyes, suddenly swells. It can be serious if the throat swells up. You should contact your doctor immediately if this develops.

HOW IS THE CAUSE OF URTICARIA FOUND?

You may be asked to keep a food diary and note any associations. You may have to undergo patch testing of your skin to find out what you may be allergic to.

A Comprehensive Allergy Test can be done at our medical clinic. Please make an appointment for a consultation with Dr Don Lau at Tel: 6694 1661.

Comprehensive Allergies Test for up to 101 allergens:
* Food Allergy eg Seafood, Nuts, Eggs, Fish, Meat, Fruits, Seeds or Vegetables
* Dust/Mold Allergy
* Insect Sting Allergy
* Pet/Cockroach Allergy
* Eye or Skin Allergy
* Sinus Infection/Allergic Rhinitis
* Drug/Latex Allergy

WHAT IS THE TREATMENT FOR URTICARIA / HIVES?

Antihistamines, usually take by mouth, are used to relieve rash and itching. Avoid taking aspirin or other drugs not prescribed for you
Itching can be relieved by daubing with calamine lotion
Cold water compresses such as soaking a towel in cold water can also relieve itching. Avoid hot baths or showers during the acute phase - keep it cool!
Decrease your activity during the acute phase. It is better not to get hot and sweaty
Avoid alcohol and caffeine-containing drinks, especially is there is a possibility of these being a trigger factor

Skin Problems - Treatment for Allergies, Dermatitis, Eczema & Urticaria/Hives

Allergy in your Baby