Is urticaria contagious?

Written by Zhu Zhu

Dermatology

Updated on September 05, 2024

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Urticaria is not contagious. Urticaria is often associated with multiple factors such as infections, food and drug allergies, insect bites, and also related to genetics, climate, and environment. If urticaria occurs, it is advisable to promptly identify the allergen and avoid further contact with it to prevent the occurrence of urticaria. Urticaria is not infectious, but it is curable and recurrent.

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Written by Zhu Zhu

Dermatology

28sec

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Is urticaria contagious?

Urticaria is not contagious. Urticaria is often associated with multiple factors such as infections, food and drug allergies, insect bites, and also related to genetics, climate, and environment. If urticaria occurs, it is advisable to promptly identify the allergen and avoid further contact with it to prevent the occurrence of urticaria. Urticaria is not infectious, but it is curable and recurrent.

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Written by Liu Gang

Dermatology

52sec

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What is the fastest way to relieve itching from hives?

Urticaria is a type of allergic disease that generally causes large areas of hives to appear rapidly all over the body, accompanied by severe itching. A quick method to relieve itching is the topical application of calamine lotion extensively and taking oral antihistamines, such as loratadine tablets. In cases of acute flare-ups, it may be appropriate to use hormone-based medications, such as dexamethasone injection, administered intravenously or through infusion, as these act quickly. For chronic urticaria treatment, it is generally advised against the use of hormones; standard oral antihistamines should suffice. Urticaria tends to recur; therefore, it's important to maintain a controlled diet and lifestyle habits. Foods and substances to avoid include chili peppers, mutton, seafood, and alcohol.

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Written by Liu Gang

Dermatology

49sec

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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 Huang Ling Juan

Dermatology

51sec

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How is urticaria caused?

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 Li Ya Ping

Dermatology Department

45sec

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Will urticaria heal on its own?

Urticaria, also known as hives, is a localized edema of the skin and mucous membranes caused by a temporary increase in vascular permeability. As hives are localized and the edema is temporary, they often resolve on their own, typically within 24 hours. However, if the underlying cause is not removed, new hives can form as others subside, leading to a continual cycle of eruption. Therefore, the treatment of urticaria should first aim to identify the cause as much as possible. If a specific cause cannot be found, antihistamine medications can be taken orally, and topical medications can be used to treat pronounced itching.