What Causes Chronic Urticaria?
Hives are an allergic-like reaction of the skin to a usually harmless substance. Acute cases of hives can be triggered by any number of substances. Common causes are medications, foods, insect bites or stings. The cause of chronic urticaria is often hard to pinpoint. Although the cause is currently unknown, it is thought to be related to a person’s own immune system triggering the reaction. Heat, exercise or emotional stress can trigger the hives. Small welts appear within a larger area of redness, often on the neck or upper chest. In rare cases, urticaria can affect the throat. People who have trouble swallowing or breathing should seek emergency care promptly. Medications are taken to control the itching which accompany hives providing excellent relief in most patients: • Non-sedating antihistamines • More potent antihistamines (can cause drowsiness) for severe urticaria • Corticosteroid medications less often used because of serious side effects with prolonged use • Epinephrine inje
