Urtikaria

Urticaria, also known as hives, is a skin reaction that can occur due to infection, allergies, physical irritants, heat, cold, insect bites, medications, or dietary supplements. The rash can appear on small areas of the skin or spread all over the body. It develops quickly, causes intense itching, and often moves around.

Urticaria, or hives, is classified into acute urticaria, which lasts for less than 6 weeks, and chronic urticaria, characterized by at least two outbreaks per week for more than 6 weeks. Approximately 15-20% of the population will experience urticaria at some point in their lives, most commonly before the age of 30.

The symptoms vary from person to person and from episode to episode. Generally, the following can be experienced:

• Intense itching
• Rash appearing anywhere on the body, characterized by raised welts with slight redness
• The rash often moves from one part of the body to another
• The duration of the rash can range from a few hours to several weeks, but each individual welt on the skin lasts no more than 24 hours before moving
• Some individuals may experience fever
• In severe cases, swelling may occur in the mouth and throat, genital area, abdomen, and intestines.

The most common treatment for hives is to make sure that the medication, food or anything else you have taken is the background for the outbreak.

After this, tablets with antihistamines are given. There are different types and the doctor will make sure to give you the right one.

For severe or recurrent hives, especially if it causes a deeper inflammation called angioedema, there is more powerful medicine. You can ask your doctor about immunosuppressive drugs or the newer biological drugs.

If you experience a rash as described above, it is advisable to consult a doctor for an examination. The doctor will conduct a thorough interview with you to try to determine the underlying cause of the rash. This can be challenging, and the cause of urticaria is not always found.

The doctor will also examine the rash, and in most cases, this is sufficient to make a diagnosis. Additional tests are rarely necessary for the examination of urticaria. If it seems that the rash was caused by an allergic reaction, there may be an indication to undergo allergy testing, including a blood test and a skin prick test, to determine what you reacted to.

In the case of chronic urticaria, further blood tests may be conducted to investigate if there is another underlying condition triggering the skin reaction.

Is hives dangerous and a sign of a serious illness?

Generally, hives (urticaria) are not dangerous. They are simply a reaction in the top layer of the skin to something that irritated the body at that moment. The itching can be extremely bothersome, but it is not dangerous.

However, in some cases, swelling of the mucous membranes in the mouth, throat, genital area, abdomen, and intestines may occur. This can potentially be dangerous if it causes airway obstruction. This is very rare. If this happens, it is important to call emergency services immediately (in Norway, dial 113) for prompt assistance.

I had hives once, can I get them again?

Yes, it is possible to get hives again if you have had them before. It is often triggered by the same cause, so if you had hives after eating apples, being bitten by a mosquito, or having a streptococcal throat infection, for example, it is likely that you may develop a rash if exposed to the same trigger again. Therefore, it is advisable to try to avoid it if possible.

Is there a vaccine against hives (urticaria)?

Generally, no. Urticaria is often triggered by factors such as heat, cold, infection, or food, for which there is no vaccine. However, if you have developed hives after contact with grass, for example, it may be possible to receive a vaccine for grass allergy.

Can hives go away on their own without treatment, or do I need to see a doctor for medication?

In most cases, hives resolve on their own, but the intense itching leads people to seek medical help to find relief.

Is hives hereditary?

A person who has had hives often has slightly more sensitive skin, which can be inherited. However, just because a parent has had hives does not necessarily mean their child will have the same condition.