Types of Urticaria

Acute Urticaria: Acute urticaria lasts less than 6 weeks, often triggered by allergic reactions or infections. It resolves within 24 hours on its own or with medications. 

Chronic Urticaria: Chronic urticaria lasts for more than 6-8 weeks.. The primary cause of chronic urticaria is often autoimmune, where the immune system functions abnormally and mistakenly attacks the body’s healthy cells. Sometimes, the cause of chronic urticaria is unknown. 

Physical Urticaria: It is triggered by physical stimuli, such as heat, cold, pressure, water, or sunlight. Dermatographism. Cold urticaria and cholinergic urticaria are the three subtypes of urticaria. Dermatographism is triggered by scratching or pressure, cold urticaria is triggered by exposure to freezing temperatures, and cholinergic urticaria is triggered by heat or exercise. 

Angioedema: This type is characterised by deeper swelling in the skin, often seen around the eyes, lips, hands, and genital areas. The cause of angioedema can be allergic or hereditary, meaning it is present since birth. 

Urticarial Vasculitis: It is a rare type of urticaria that persists for more than 24 hours. It is associated with inflammation of blood vessels and autoimmune diseases. 

Causes and Risk Factors of Urticaria 

• Allergies caused by food like shellfish, nuts, etc
• Viral, bacterial, and parasitic infections can cause hives, also known as urticaria. 
• Stress or emotions trigger can be a reason of urticaria
• Environmental triggers, such as temperature changes, pressure, and sunlight, can trigger urticaria.
• Autoimmune disorders like lupus. 
• Chronic illness, such as a thyroid disorder. 
• Physical triggers like cold, heat, and pressure 
• Symptoms of Urticaria
• Raised, red or skin-coloured whales or elevated bumps on the skin, itching at  the site of eruptions
• Swelling of lips, eyelids, and throat.
• Burning sensation of the skin 

Diagnosis of Urticaria 

• Diagnosis of urticaria is based on skin appearance and history 
• Blood tests, such as Complete Blood Count, ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate), and C-reactive protein, are used to detect inflammation and autoimmune causes. 
• Skin biopsy 

Treatment of Urticaria 

• Oral medications 
• Intravenous medications
• Ointment 

Diet and Lifestyle for Urticaria Management 

• Understand the allergic triggers and avoid them 
• Wear loose, cotton and breathable clothing
• Avoid hot baths or overheating of the skin
• Manage the mental stress through yoga, medication and pranayama. 
• Avoid alcohol and smoking
• Stay hydrated 

Skin eruptions, such as urticaria, require prompt medical attention, as they are often associated with autoimmune conditions and infections. This needs to be ruled out at an early stage to manage symptoms and facilitate rapid recovery.