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 Du Rui Xia

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Is postpartum urticaria contagious?

Postpartum urticaria is not contagious. The occurrence of urticaria is mainly an allergic reaction to various factors such as certain foods, medications, plants, or infections. Clinically, it mainly manifests as dilation and increased permeability of small blood vessels in the skin and mucosa, resulting in skin rashes and redness. However, this condition is related to a decrease in the body's immune strength, making postpartum urticaria more likely to occur after childbirth. Postpartum urticaria has a certain hereditary nature. When postpartum urticaria occurs, one should not scratch it to prevent breaking the skin and causing secondary infections. Avoid using irritating liquids for cleansing or hot water for washing. When itching occurs, topical antipruritic agents can be applied. It is advisable to eat fresh vegetables and fruits in daily life and avoid spicy and irritating foods.

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How to Distinguish Between Papular Urticaria and Urticaria

Papular urticaria, also known as insect bite dermatitis, is a different disease from urticaria. Urticaria, also known as wheals, is called yinzhen in traditional Chinese medicine, and it is a localized edema of the skin and mucous membranes due to temporary increased vascular permeability. For most patients with urticaria, the exact cause cannot be identified. Common causes include foods, such as animal proteins and certain food additives that induce urticaria. Urticaria can also be triggered by certain infections as allergens, as well as by certain medications such as penicillin, serum products, various vaccines, sulfonamides, etc. Additionally, common inhalants such as pollen, animal dander, dust, fungal spores, dust mites, and volatile chemicals can also trigger urticaria. Papular urticaria is characterized by a small blister in the center of a reddish area, often resulting from bites or stings of various insects like mosquitoes, mites, bees, etc., or from irritation by toxic sap on the skin. Improvement can be seen once removed from the allergenic environment.

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Written by Zeng Hai Jiang

Pediatrics

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Do children with urticaria feel itchy?

Children's urticaria generally causes itching. It occurs when children come into contact with foods, medications, or other allergenic substances, leading to scattered or widespread red rashes. The rash may appear as wheals or might be maculopapular or urticarial in nature, generally accompanied by rashes and itching. If a child develops urticaria, topical medications can be applied, providing relief from itching and allergic reactions.

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Written by Huang Ling Juan

Dermatology

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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 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.