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 Zhu Zhu
Dermatology
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Urticaria is not contagious.

Urticaria is a hypersensitive skin disease related to the immune system, often occurring in patients with allergic constitutions. Urticaria is not contagious, so there is no need to worry about that. The causes of urticaria are mainly related to food, food additives, viral or bacterial infections, medications, and environmental factors such as climate and pollen. Therefore, if urticaria occurs, it is crucial to promptly identify the allergen and actively avoid triggers to prevent its occurrence. If urticaria does occur, it is essential to seek medical advice promptly.

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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.

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Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
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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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Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
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Symptoms of postpartum urticaria

Postpartum hives are mainly characterized by subjective itching symptoms on the skin. On the surface of the skin, you can see patches of varying sizes with a reddish color, some of which may also feel burning. Generally, this can occur within the first few hours and then quickly subside, but it is prone to recurrent outbreaks. Additionally, some patients may experience gastrointestinal reactions, such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and can even cause palpitations and difficulty breathing. When hives are detected, it is advisable to go to the hospital in a timely manner, and ask professional doctors to actively carry out examinations and treatments.

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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.