Do you also get itchy rashes on your body? This is about Urticaria/Hives!

Have you ever noticed that your body suddenly turns red, small blister-like bumps appear, and sometimes it itches unbearably? It's like being bitten by a mosquito, but it can be much bigger and spread. Many people also call this 'worm candy'. Some also call it 'hives'. Medically, we call this (Urticaria) or (Hives). So today, shall we talk about this in a little more detail? This is something that really happens to many people, and it's a bit annoying.

So what is this hives or urticaria?

Simply put, these welts are a type of rash that appears red and oval on our skin. They look like small bumps. This is actually a reaction that occurs in our skin. Most of the time, it is a reaction to something allergic (allergen).

Just think, these blemishes can appear anywhere on the body. Sometimes they can appear as small dots, other times as large spots, or even as a bunch of large blemishes that come together.

These hives can last from a few hours to a week (or even longer). New hives may appear as the old ones fade. Hives that last less than 6 weeks are called acute hives. But if they last longer than 6 weeks, they are called chronic hives.

Why do we get hives? What are the causes?

The main reason for these hives is the release of a chemical called histamine from a type of cell called Mast Cells in our body. This histamine causes fluid to leak from the small blood vessels under the skin. That fluid collects inside the skin and appears as these hives. There can be many reasons for this. But sometimes there are times when a specific cause cannot be found.

Most often, hives are caused by an allergic reaction. If this happens, the rash can appear within minutes. Common allergens include:

• Foods: Especially seafood (like crabs, shrimp), nuts like peanuts, cashews, milk, and some fruits.
• Medications: Some medications, such as antibiotics, and allergy shots.
• Animals: Pets, other animals' fur, saliva, etc.
• Pollen: Things like pollen in flowers.
• Insect bites: When bitten by animals like mosquitoes and ants.

But worms aren't always caused by allergies. There can be other reasons as well:

• Infections: Some viral infections (like the flu, colds).
• Exercising.
• Stress or anxiety: This is also something that affects many people.
• Exposure to sunlight.
• Exposure to cold: Things like cold water, ice.
• Skin contact with certain chemicals.
• Skin Scratching: Some people develop scars even when they just scratch their skin. This is called Dermatographia.
• Skin tightness: This can occur when sitting in one place for a long time, such as when carrying a heavy bag.

We call these hives that occur due to physical causes like pressure, cold, and sunlight (Physical Hives).

Chronic hives can be difficult to diagnose. Sometimes they can be linked to immune system diseases like lupus. Other times, they can be caused by medications, foods, insects, or infections. But many times, even doctors can't find the exact cause of these chronic hives.

What are the symptoms of hives? How do we recognize them?

The main characteristic of worm candy is the red, oval-shaped fruit, as I mentioned before. There are several other characteristics of these fruits:

• Their middle may be a little pale.
• They can appear in clusters in various places.
• It can change shape and location within a few hours.
• It can range from a tiny dot to as big as a large plate.
• It may feel like a severe itch, perhaps a burning or stinging sensation.

Some people may also develop a condition called Angioedema with this worm candy. This can cause swelling around the eyes, lips, hands, legs, genitals, or throat. This swelling may sometimes appear as red spots. Not only that, symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain may also come with this condition (Angioedema).

Very rarely, these worm candy and angioedema can cause a very severe allergic reaction called anaphylactic shock. This is a life-threatening condition that requires emergency medical treatment.

The symptoms of Anaphylactic Shock are:

• Difficulty breathing
• Sudden drop in blood pressure
• Dizziness
• Loss of consciousness (fainting)

If you have these symptoms, you should seek medical advice immediately.

How do doctors diagnose hives?

Often, a doctor can tell if you have ringworm just by looking at your skin. To find out the cause, your doctor will ask you a few questions. For example:

• Does anyone in your family have allergies like this?
• Have you eaten a new food recently? Have you taken a new medicine?
• Have you been sick recently?
• Do you have stress in your daily life?
• Were you exposed to something that could cause allergies?

If you have chronic hives, your doctor will tell you to keep a journal of your daily activities, including what you eat and drink, and where the hives appear. This is called keeping a diary.

In addition, some tests can be done to find the exact cause:

• Blood tests
• Allergy Tests
• Special tests are also performed to see if these symptoms are caused by other medical conditions such as thyroid disease or hepatitis.

To check for physical hives, a doctor may place an ice pack on your skin to see if you react to the cold. Or they may place something heavy, like a sandbag, on your thigh to see if it hurts to push.

What are the treatments for hives?

In most cases, minor cases of ringworm do not require any special treatment. They usually resolve on their own within a few days. If you can find a cause, it is best to avoid it. For example, if you find that a certain food is causing the problem, it is important to avoid that food.

If the itching is severe, a doctor may prescribe an antihistamine, which blocks the production of histamine. This will reduce the appearance of hives and the itching. Some of these medications make you drowsy, while others do not.

For chronic hives, a doctor may prescribe a non-drowsy, daily antihistamine. These can be purchased over-the-counter or by prescription.

Remember, not all antihistamines work for everyone. So it's important to talk to your doctor to find the right medication for you and follow their advice.

If an antihistamine doesn't control the drowsiness, your doctor may prescribe a stronger antihistamine, a different type of medication, or a combination of medications.

Very rarely, a doctor may prescribe steroid pills or liquids for a short period of time (usually 5 days to 2 weeks). These steroids can have side effects, so they are not used long-term.

What to do in an emergency?

As I mentioned before, cases of anaphylactic shock and severe hives or angioedema are very rare. But if they do occur, they are a medical emergency. That means you need to go to the hospital immediately.

For people with severe allergies, doctors sometimes recommend that you carry an injectable form of epinephrine (an auto-injector). If you are at risk of having a severe allergic reaction, your doctor will teach you and your family how to give yourself the injection.

Here are some of the most important things we want to take home from this story!

Okay, so we've talked a lot about these worm candy. Finally, here are the most important things to remember:

• Urticaria/Hives is a very common skin condition.
• There can be many reasons for this – allergies, infections, stress, certain medications, etc.
• Most of the time, these are not serious, but they can be very annoying because they itch.
• If the ringworm is very severe, has been present for a long time, or has dangerous symptoms such as difficulty breathing or a swollen throat, be sure to see a doctor.
• It is very important to find out the cause of the worms if possible. Then you can avoid them.
• There are medications such as antihistamines as treatment. Use them as directed by a doctor.

So, if you are experiencing this type of damage, don't panic. But don't ignore it either. The wisest thing to do is to talk to a doctor and get the necessary treatment.

Ringworm, Eczema, Urticaria, Hives, Allergies, Skin Diseases, Itchy Skin