How is urticaria caused?

Written by Huang Ling Juan
Dermatology
Updated on September 04, 2024
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There are many causes of hives, and the most common is related to genetics. If one of the parents has an allergic constitution, then the likelihood of allergies in their offspring significantly increases. Environmental factors also play a role in the occurrence of hives. For example, environments with a lot of dust or dust mites can trigger allergic reactions. Additionally, a humid living environment can promote the growth of fungi, which can also cause hives. The occurrence of hives is also related to food. Individuals who are allergic to proteins might experience hives when consuming high-protein foods like fish, shrimp, crabs, milk, and eggs. Furthermore, viral infections, bacterial infections, and parasite infections can also trigger hives.

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Written by Xie Ming Feng
Dermatology
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How should hives be treated?

Urticaria is divided into acute and chronic types. Antihistamines are the first choice of treatment for acute urticaria. If the condition is severe and antihistamines are ineffective, corticosteroids can be used to control the condition. The fundamental treatment for chronic urticaria is to remove the cause, and specific medications should be used under the guidance of a doctor.

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Written by Zhu Zhu
Dermatology
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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
Dermatology
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The difference between papular urticaria and urticaria

Papular urticaria is an allergic reaction caused by direct contact with irritants or insect bites such as mosquitoes. The cause of the disease is relatively accurate, and treatment typically involves disinfecting clothes, bed sheets, and duvet covers by exposing them to sunlight, avoiding contact with small animals, and common antiallergic medications can cure it quickly. The causes of common urticaria are more complex and often unclear; identifying the allergens usually requires allergy tests in hospitals, and the treatment is more complicated than that for papular urticaria. Common antiallergic drugs can cure it in the short term. However, some cases of urticaria that enter a chronic phase can be very troublesome to treat, with lengthy treatment times and poor outcomes.

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Written by Zhang Shu Kun
Traditional Chinese Medicine
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Where to apply moxibustion for acute urticaria

In cases of acute urticaria, it is advised to promptly visit a hospital and undergo treatment under the guidance of a doctor. This is because moxibustion is a slow treatment method and is not very effective for acute urticaria. However, if urticaria occurs in normal circumstances, it can be slowly treated through moxibustion, which can achieve therapeutic purposes. Moxibustion mainly plays a supplementary role. Initially, moxibustion can be applied to acupoints such as Quchi, Dazhui, and Sanyinjiao to maintain health and achieve effective conditioning.

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Written by Zhang Jing
Dermatology Department
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Is there a difference between measles and urticaria?

Measles and hives are two completely different skin diseases. In terms of etiology, measles is caused by a viral infection, while hives are an allergic skin disease. Clinically, measles presents with diffuse red rash all over the body, accompanied by high fever and mucous membrane catarrhal symptoms, such as red eyes, excessive eye discharge, and so on. On the other hand, hives present with wheal-like skin lesions. Wheals refer to pale red or skin-colored raised lesions that can vary in shape and are usually quite large. They typically develop very rapidly and then subside within a few hours, with most wheals disappearing within 24 hours. Hives are also usually accompanied by severe itching.