Urticaria: Urticaria are basically hives. They are often itchy, raised, red welts on the skin surface. They are normally a reaction that is allergic to food or medication.

When an individual has an allergic reaction to some substance, the body will release histamine as well as other chemicals into the blood system. This causes swelling, itching, and other symptoms and signs. Hives are a fairly common reaction, particularly in individuals with other allergies for example hay fever.

When swelling or welts happen about the face, particularly the eyes and lips, it is referred to as angioedema. Swelling from this may also develop around the feet, hands, as well as throat.

There are numerous substances that can cause hives to develop such as: animal dander especially of cats, medications, insect bites, pollen, shellfish, nuts, milk, eggs, as well as other food.

Hives can also develop as a result of: extreme sun exposure or cold, emotional stress, excessive sweating, illness such as autoimmune diseases, lupus as well as leukemia, and contagions such as mononucleosis.

Symptoms of hives include itching, swelling of the skin surface into skin-colored or red welts also referred to as wheals and they have a very clearly defined edge.

Your primary care physician may tell if you have hives by merely looking at this skin. If there is a history of an allergy, then the diagnosis is even more obvious.

There are cases where blood tests or skin test are done to confirm that it is an allergic reaction and to test for the substance that caused the response and a skin biopsy may confirm that diagnosis also.

If the hives are mild, treatment might not be needed. They might disappear on their own. To reduce swelling and itching: avoid hot showers or baths, avoid irritating the area with clothes that are tight-fitting, take antihistamines – diphenhydramine is usually considered most effective but make some individuals tired. Other options include cetirizine or loratodine.

If the reaction is very severe, particularly if the distension involves the throat, it might need an epinephrine or adrenaline in a shot form for emergencies. Hives in the throat may block the airway, making it extremely hard to breathe.