Suffering from raised itchy hives, or sudden swelling below the skin surface (eyes & lips)? You might be suffering from Urticaria and/or Angioedema!

25 % of the population will develop itching/hives on their body at least once in their lifetime. They may or may not be associated with angioedema. If they go away within 6 weeks they are called as Acute Urticaria and are caused by certain foods, medications, viral illnesses, insect bites, stress, parasitic infections, and contact allergens like latex.

0.5-5% suffer from Chronic Urticaria. It is more common in females. They can be triggered by food, additives, infections, drugs, and aeroallergens apart from physical and spontaneous reasons, some of which are exercise, heat, cold, friction, solar, pressure, and vibrations. They can be diagnosed by Dermatologists and Allergy Specialists on history and blood examinations.

Treatment for Urticaria is by Immunomodulators and Human Biologics if these patients don’t respond to Antihistaminics.