How is urticaria produced ?
Urticaria results from some changes in the small blood vessels of the skin. Such changes are brought about by the release of some substances in the body, the commonest of which is histamine. Histamine is released from cells called mast cells by either an allergic or non-allergic reaction.

What causes single attacks of urticaria ?
Acute urticaria, which can last from a few hours to as long as a week is usually caused by drugs, specific foods or a viral infection. Sometimes, no cause can be detected.

What are the foods that can cause acute and repeated attacks of urticaria ?
Foods that can cause urticaria include :
Nuts
Eggs
Fresh fruits (especially citrus)
Chocolates
Fish and shellfish
Tomatoes
Milk and cheese
Spices
Yeasts

What else can cause urticaria ?
Recurring attacks of urticaria may be caused by physical agents such as; sunlight, cold, pressure and sweat. Urticaria caused by such agents is called physical urticaria. The causative agent is usually recognized by the patient.

Chronic Urticaria
This is urticaria occurring almost daily and lasting more than two months. In the majority of patients, no cause or significant aggravating factors can be found. Physical urticaria may be present as well in some patients. Food allergy is seldom a cause of chronic persistent urticaria even though some foods may aggravate it. Infections such as candidiasis (a kind of yeast infection) may be a cause, although, not common.

Emotional stress is known to aggravate chronic urticaria in some. Fifty per cent of cases of chronic urticaria, clear spontaneously in about 6 months.

How is urticaria treated ?
The best treatment for urticaria is to identify and avoid the cause and any aggravating factors. While investigating the cause, anti-histamines are prescribed for symptomatic relief. Antihistamines, when taken orally, take about 90 minutes to relieve an already formed hive. They work best if taken on a regular basic to prevent the formation of hives. To avoid side-effects like drowsiness, non-sedative antihistamines are available. Antihistamine creams are ineffective.

Elimination diets are not helpful unless a particular food is suspected. Skin tests are generally of no use. Blood and urine test are sometimes carried out to exclude infection as a cause of chronic urticaria.


ARGHHHHHHH!!!!! the food one is abit crazy.. as well go on a diet... hmm.. allergic to sun, cold, SWEAT!?WTH