Urticaria

Urticaria or hives is an allergic condition characterized by itchy, red, raised patches on skin. These patches disappear in a few hours but reappear at the same or a new area. Generally, Urticaria can be easily treated and doesn't cause much trouble to the person but in some cases it can get severe and chronic if it takes more than 6 weeks. Urticaria can be a manifestation of many conditions and illnesses, rather than one illness. The effectiveness of treatment depends on the diagnostic expertise, experience and attention they extend towards you.

MECHANISM:

Mast cell degranulation is the mechanism behind hives. If we put it in simple words, some white blood cells go berserk and cause the dismissal of histamine. And in response to, antigens (intruders, real or seeming) which may come into contact through touch, breathing or digestions, the Mast cells fire back to resist them. There can be various reasons that your body produces antigens including factors like thyroid or lupus, inflammation or cancer like chronic diseases.

There are little receptors for immunoglobulin e antibody (IgE) on the surface of the Mast Cells and these stick to any antigens that come into the contact with your body. When the mast cell gets loaded it starts firing its weapons and it encourages other mast cells as well as other inflammatory cells to fire also. As the mast cells fire, they release histamine. Blood vessels seep out fluid due to vasodilation (where the capillaries increase in diameter) into the surrounding tissues by histamine and other mast cell by-products. The production of Hives occurs as a result of the infusion of histamine.

If you have frequent episodes of Urticaria, here are some tips suggested by Dr. Nivedita Dadu for Urticaria treatment in Delhi at Dadu Medical Centre located in Delhi, Vasant Vihar (South Delhi), Rajouri Garden (West Delhi), the most preferred dermatologist in Rajouri Garden.

• Can you take aspirin or other nsaids (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)? If not, you may be salicylate sensitive. If you don't know already what salicylate is, let us tell you that it is an active ingredient in aspirin. This is also present in plants such as herbal supplements, vegetables and fruits. So, if you're allergic to salicylate your hives may worsen when you take an aspirin.
• This is also true if you cannot tolerate other nsaids such as ibuprofen, because they are cross-reactive with salicylates.
• A few people have found that a yeast-elimination program (diet and medications) has helped reduce their flares.
• You may be sensitive to additives or dyes or preservatives. Pay attention to what is happening, and your body may give you clues.
• Do you have any other possible sources of infection? Potential culprits are kidney infections, sinus infections, gallbladder infection, liver infections, Dental caries, thyroid disorder, urine infection.
• Have you been tested for other autoimmune conditions? While the majority of autoimmune Urticaria is a primary illness, hives can also be a symptom of some other autoimmune diseases. Some things many people with autoimmune disease have in common:

• for women, a worsening of symptoms during periods
• remissions during pregnancy
• development of other autoimmune diseases
• family history of various autoimmune problems (one family member may have rheumatoid arthritis, another may have thyroid disease, still another may have endometriosis)
• onset of symptoms with an event or trauma such as accident, illness, surgery, or infection within approximately 6 months- something that kicks the immune system into high gear.

If you've experienced any of these, you may indeed have autoimmune Urticaria, and this warrants further investigation.

TREATMENT:

• For patient with chronic Urticaria, Dr. Nivedita Dadu suggests a battery of tests to rule out the common causes. You need to know that even minor infection that remains undiagnosed can cause Urticaria.
• Treatment includes - Identifying and eliminating the trigger and treating the symptoms with the latest treatment options available in modern day medicine.

What's new in Urticaria treatment?

BIOLOGICALS -- Monoclonal antibody to IgE is a recombinant biologic molecule effective for chronic Urticaria is currently F.D.A. approved for treatment of chronic Urticaria. It is given as injections, to adults and children above 12 yrs of age.

If you have tried a lot of treatment and are still not relieved of the symptoms, we suggest you book an appointment with Dr. Nivedita Dadu and we will be happy to help you.

Hives Keeping You Up at Night? Here Is What Your Body Is Actually Trying to Tell You

If you have ever woken up with red, itchy, raised patches on your skin that seemed to appear out of nowhere, you have probably experienced urticaria more commonly known as hives. It is one of those conditions that can be incredibly frustrating to deal with because it comes and goes without warning. One moment your skin looks completely fine, and a few hours later there are welts appearing in places that were perfectly clear before. For most people, a single episode of hives passes on its own and does not cause lasting harm. But for others, the episodes keep coming back, sometimes for weeks or even months, and that is when it stops being a minor inconvenience and starts becoming something that genuinely affects daily life.

So what is actually happening when hives break out? The answer lies in how your immune system responds to things it perceives as threats. Your body contains special cells called mast cells, and these are scattered throughout the skin and other tissues. When your immune system identifies something it does not like whether that is a food, a medication, an insect sting, a chemical, or even stress these mast cells release a substance called histamine. Histamine causes the small blood vessels under the skin to widen and leak fluid into the surrounding tissue. That fluid is what creates the raised, red, itchy patches you see on the surface. The moment histamine floods that area of skin, a hive forms. When it clears, the hive disappears often only to reappear somewhere else as the process continues in a different part of the body.

The tricky part about urticaria is that the trigger is not always obvious. A lot of people assume they must have eaten something bad, but hives can be triggered by a surprisingly wide range of things. Certain medications aspirin and other anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen in particularare common culprits. People who are sensitive to salicylates, which is the active compound in aspirin and is also naturally found in many fruits, vegetables, and herbal supplements, may find that their hives worsen whenever they take these medications or even eat certain foods. Food additives, artificial dyes, and preservatives are another category worth paying attention to. If you notice your hives tend to flare after eating packaged or processed foods, this could be a clue worth following up on.

Infections are another trigger that people often overlook. Ongoing low-grade infections in the sinuses, kidneys, liver, gallbladder, or urinary tract can quietly drive the immune system into a state of ongoing reactivity and hives can be one of the outward signs of that. Dental issues like untreated cavities can also contribute. Thyroid disorders, particularly autoimmune thyroid conditions, are strongly associated with chronic urticaria and are something that doctors in Delhi routinely check for when a patient presents with recurring hives. Even a yeast overgrowth in the gut has been found to play a role in some people, and addressing it through dietary changes or specific treatment has helped reduce flare frequency for certain individuals.

When urticaria lasts longer than six weeks, it is classified as chronic. This is an important distinction because chronic urticaria often has a deeper underlying cause that needs to be properly identified and addressed rather than just managed with antihistamines. Leaving it untreated or treating it only symptomatically can mean years of recurring episodes that significantly impact sleep, concentration, and quality of life. A thorough diagnostic evaluation looking at blood markers, thyroid function, infection markers, allergy panels, and a detailed history is the only way to get to the root of what is driving the condition.

Managing urticaria well also involves being a careful observer of your own body. Keeping a simple diary of when flares occur, what you ate, what you were doing, what medication you took, and how stressed you were can reveal patterns that even medical tests might miss. Your body often gives you clues it is just a matter of learning to read them. Avoiding known triggers, keeping antihistamines on hand during a flare, staying well hydrated, wearing loose breathable clothing, and reducing unnecessary stress are all practical steps that can help manage episodes between medical visits.

If you have been dealing with recurring hives and feel like you are going in circles without real answers, getting a proper clinical evaluation is the most important next step. At Dadu Medical Centre, the team offers comprehensive urticaria treatment in Delhi, with experienced doctors in Delhi who take the time to look beyond surface symptoms and investigate the underlying causes driving your condition. Whether your hives are recent or have been going on for a long time, the clinic in Delhi provides a thorough, personalised approach to diagnosis and management so that you are not just controlling the itch you are addressing what is actually causing it.

FAQs

1. What is urticaria and is it the same as hives?
Ans. Yes, urticaria and hives are the same condition itchy, raised red patches on the skin caused by histamine release from immune cells.

2. How long do hives usually last before going away on their own?
Ans. Individual hive patches typically fade within a few hours, but new ones can keep appearing, sometimes for days or weeks.

3. What makes urticaria become chronic?
Ans. When hive episodes continue to occur for more than six weeks, it is classified as chronic and usually requires a deeper medical investigation.

4. Can food cause hives to flare up?
Ans. Yes, certain foods, food additives, dyes, preservatives, and even natural compounds like salicylates in fruits can trigger or worsen hives.

5. Can medications like aspirin or ibuprofen cause hives?
Ans. Yes, aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are common triggers, especially in people who are salicylate sensitive.

6. Can an internal infection cause urticaria?
Ans. Yes, infections in the sinuses, kidneys, liver, gallbladder, or urinary tract can quietly drive immune reactivity and trigger recurring hives.

7. Is a thyroid problem related to hives?
Ans. Autoimmune thyroid conditions are closely linked to chronic urticaria and are routinely checked during a thorough diagnostic evaluation.

8. Are antihistamines enough to treat urticaria long term?
Ans. Antihistamines help manage symptoms during a flare, but chronic urticaria often needs a deeper investigation and treatment of the underlying cause.

9. Can stress make hives worse?
Ans. Yes, stress is a known trigger that can worsen the frequency and severity of urticaria episodes in many people.

10. When should I see a doctor about my hives?
Ans. If your hives are recurring frequently, lasting more than six weeks, or affecting your sleep and daily life, a proper medical consultation is strongly recommended.