Skin Conditions
Itchy Skin
Are you suffering from itchy skin? Possible causes that are making you want to scratch include hives and allergies.
What is Urticaria?
Urticaria, also known as hives, is an immediate highly itchy raised skin reaction. It is relatively common and one in five people will experience it in their lifetime. It can come and go and often disappear within 24 hours, but can last longer, sometimes years.
Symptoms of Urticaria
The main symptom of urticaria is an itch. It can be distressing due to the itching and its rash-like appearance.
Symptoms resemble bug bites but they are different. Urticaria symptoms include:
Raised itchy bumps, known as weals or hives, that are red or skin-coloured and may be round or ring-shaped, and may join together. They can appear anywhere on your skin and usually go away as quickly as they appeared.
“Blanching” when you press the centre of a red hive it turns white.
Causes of Urticaria
Urticaria is caused by the release of histamine from your white immune cells, also called mast cells. This is because your body’s immune system has become confused and is being triggered by and attacking these mast cells.
Scratching your skin can trigger the mast cells to release histamine which then causes your blood vessels to dilate and produce red lumps. Histamine is short-lived and the blood vessels return to normal.
How is Urticaria Diagnosed?
Urticaria is usually diagnosed by looking at its appearance alone.
We offer a simple online photo consultation to help diagnose and treat your urticaria.
Download a leaflet about Hives
