Urticaria – also known as hives, wheals, welts or nettle rash with or without surrounding erythematous flares. This is a skin reaction that causes bumps, raised patches, or both to suddenly appear on the skin. Urticaria can be acute or chronic, spontaneous or inducible.

Acute urticaria

If symptoms are mild and occur after exposure to an allergen or irritant, home remedies can usually soothe the itchiness until the rash disappears.

Chronic urticaria

A person with chronic urticaria may need to take antihistamines regularly until their symptoms resolve.

Drug Induced urticaria

It has been known to result in severe cardiorespiratory failure. The anti-diabetic Sulphonyl urea glimepiride, in particular, has been documented to induce allergic reactions manifesting as urticarial.

It because of the autoimmune reaction. Hives occurs due to release of chemical mediators from tissue mast cells and circulating basophils.

These chemical mediators include histamine, platelet-activating factor and cytokines. The mediators activate sensory nerves and cause dilation of blood vessels and leakage of fluid into surrounding tissues. Bradykinin release causes angioedema.

Hives Triggers: ∙Some food (especially peanuts, eggs, nuts and shellfish) ∙Medications, such as antibiotics (especially penicillin and sulpha), aspirin and ibuprofen ∙Insect stings or bites ∙Physical stimuli, such as pressure, cold, heat, exercise or sun exposure ∙Latex ∙Blood transfusions ∙Bacterial infections, including urinary tract infections and strep throat

∙Viral infections, including the common cold, infectious mononucleosis and hepatitis ∙Pet dander ∙Pollen ∙Some plants