Can urticaria be contagious?

Written by Li Ya Ping
Dermatology Department
Updated on October 29, 2024
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Urticaria is not contagious.

Urticaria, also known as wheals or commonly referred to as hives, is caused by temporary increased vascular permeability in the skin and mucous membranes due to allergic factors, resulting in localized edema. Wheals generally subside quite quickly, typically within 24 hours. The causes of wheals, which are essentially urticaria, may include the food we eat, airborne inhalants, and skin contact with substances such as pollen, dust mites, mold mites, as well as animal dander, fur, etc.

Additionally, some cases may be related to infections, and some people may have a lethal factor due to suspicious medications. Moreover, the occurrence of urticaria can also be related to other factors such as cold, heat, ultraviolet light, and mechanical stresses such as friction or pressure. Furthermore, other factors including psychological and endocrine factors can also lead to the occurrence of urticaria.

Other Voices

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Is measles urticaria?

Measles is not urticaria, and there is quite a significant difference between them. Measles is a skin disease caused by a viral infection and is contagious, with the virus being the measles virus. In contrast, urticaria is an allergic condition that can be triggered by many different causes, varying widely depending on what different individuals are allergic to. Furthermore, the treatment for measles typically involves antiviral and symptomatic approaches, whereas the treatment for urticaria generally entails the use of anti-allergy methods.

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Measles and Urticaria Distinction

Measles and hives have significant differences. Firstly, hives are an allergic disease and are not contagious, whereas measles is a viral infectious disease that can be spread through contact. Secondly, the treatment for hives mainly involves antiallergics, while the treatment for measles mainly includes symptomatic and antiviral therapies. However, regardless of whether it is measles or hives, it is necessary to seek medical attention promptly after onset.

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Written by Liu Gang
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Characteristics of papular urticaria

Papular urticaria is a type of allergic reaction, generally associated with contact with irritants, or bites from mosquitoes and fleas. The likelihood of occurrence increases if small animals are kept at home. Typically, small red papules or red wheals appear on localized areas of the body or extensively, with a transparent blister on top. The itching is quite severe, and the blisters are prone to bursting when scratched. Once symptoms appear, it is crucial to treat them with proper medication, and care should be taken to prevent infection if the blisters are scratched open. To prevent recurrence, it is advisable not to keep small animals at home, to frequently disinfect clothes, sheets, and duvet covers by exposing them to sunlight to eliminate mites or fleas, and to maintain a standard diet and lifestyle habits.

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Written by Xie Ming Feng
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What should not be eaten with hives?

Patients with urticaria have individual differences in their physical constitutions, and not everyone is allergic to the same foods. However, some foods have a higher likelihood of causing allergies, such as seafood, shrimp, crabs, silkworm pupae, beef, lamb, dog meat, various exotic birds and game, fruits like mango, pineapple, durian, and lemon, as well as various food additives. Additionally, spicy and stimulating foods and alcoholic beverages can aggravate allergic reactions and should be avoided as much as possible. Patients who frequently suffer from urticaria may consider undergoing allergen testing to identify which foods trigger allergic reactions. However, the allergen doses used in tests are very small and many factors can affect the results, hence the test outcomes may not fully reflect the actual situation within the patient's body. Moreover, the variety of foods tested is limited, and foods not tested could still potentially trigger urticaria in patients.

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Is acute urticaria contagious?

Acute urticaria is not contagious. Clinically referred to as wheals, acute urticaria is an allergic reaction-related disease associated with the immune system. Its causes may be related to allergies, microbial infections, stimuli from extreme temperatures, psychogenetic factors, endocrine factors, etc. Acute urticaria is not infectious but is curable and can recur. After contracting acute urticaria, it is crucial to actively identify the triggering factors to timely prevent the recurrence of urticaria.