| In simple classification urticaria is grouped into; acute | | | | Food allergy triggers include ingestion of shellfish, nuts, |
| and chronic but in each category there are sub | | | | eggs, fish, acid derivatives, dye or any combination of |
| grouping which are causes by different factors. The | | | | two or more of these. |
| acute form manifests itself on the skin; new welts | | | | · Physical; this is the urticaria resulting from |
| appear and disappear each day for about a week | | | | direct physical stimulation of parts of skin. The most |
| where it eventually disappears completely once the | | | | common physical form is dermographia, which simply |
| trigger factors are kept at bay. Most of the acute | | | | means writing on the skin. |
| forms are caused by allergy or allergens that are | | | | Other common forms |
| inhaled, ingested or comes into contact with the skin. | | | | 1. Infectious; this follow other viral infections as colds. |
| The chronic form is more disturbing and lasts for more | | | | They appear after the cold starts and may sometimes |
| than six weeks. Its causes are on non-allergic factors | | | | delay appearance to a few days after the cold is |
| as viruses. Its treatment involves the use of | | | | resolved. |
| antihistamines and other medications to curb other | | | | 2. Autoimmune: it occurs as the body experiences the |
| underlying causes as diseases. | | | | autoimmune disorder while combating alien elements in |
| Types of Hives | | | | the body. |
| The classification is based on the cause, duration and | | | | 3. Dietary histamine poisoning; it manifests itself when |
| other elements which make them very unique from | | | | there is the ingestion of some histamine that is |
| others. Below are some of the common forms that | | | | released by bacteria decay as in fish. It is a bit |
| attack majority of the patients; | | | | different from the rest for it does not have wheals on |
| · Ordinary form; it appears suddenly without | | | | the skin. |
| any specific reason. The welts are noticeable in | | | | 4. Stress and chronic idiopathic: this is caused by the |
| different several body locations. They multiply fast, itch | | | | deterioration of health due to emotional conditions that |
| severely, swell and disappear in minutes or hours, but | | | | surround a person at one time of life. |
| only later to appear in some other places. This activity | | | | Other forms of physical Urticaria |
| (appearing and disappearing) may continue to several | | | | Most physical forms are much rare with the triggers |
| days and sometimes weeks. Fortunately most of | | | | including extreme temperatures as very cold and hot; |
| these reactions last less than six weeks thus could be | | | | water and sunlight. Physical forms are often classified |
| classified as acute but if it goes beyond six weeks it | | | | into the following groups:i) Aquagenic: This the reaction |
| becomes chronic. | | | | to water (rare) to water either due to extreme |
| · Chronic form; it refers to any form that | | | | temperature or compounds or chemicals incorporated |
| persists for 6 weeks or more. In most chronic | | | | into the water.ii) Cholinergic: This the skin reaction |
| pandemics there are no visible differences on the | | | | stimulated by increased body heat as when working |
| welts between acute and chronic hives. Unfortunately | | | | or exercising, or after taking a hot shower or bath.iii) |
| some severe chronic conditions have been seen to | | | | Cold/Chronic cold: Reaction to extremely cold |
| last for over twenty years. Once the condition | | | | temperatures brought about by ice, cold air or freezing |
| surpasses the six weeks mark allergy and other | | | | water.iv) Delayed Pressure: This is the reaction to tight |
| laboratory tests are deemed unnecessary. | | | | fitting apparels worn for long periods of time as |
| · Drug-induced; this form has been proved to | | | | reaction to panty, or thong bands, bra-straps belts and |
| lead to serious cardio-respiratory failure. The Amaryl | | | | other worn items including accessories.v) |
| an anti-diabetic sulphonylurea glimepiride has been | | | | Dermatographic: This commonly happens when the |
| proved to bring about allergic reactions resulting into | | | | skin is scratched or injured in the course of working.vi) |
| urticaria condition. Other risky medications include | | | | Heat: Extreme temperatures as of hot food, objects, |
| dextroamphetamine, aspirin, penicillin, clotrimazole, | | | | sun where direct exposure on the skin makes it |
| sulfonamides and anti-convulsants. | | | | react.vii) Vibration: This is rare where the body is |
| · Acute;itcommonly appears a few minutes | | | | irritated by continued vibration of machines.viii) |
| after coming into contact with specific allergens lasting | | | | Adrenergic: This is the reaction to adrenaline or |
| a few hours, days to several weeks. Food allergic | | | | noradrenaline but is extremely rare with very few |
| (proteins) reactions suitably fall under this category. | | | | cases reported annually. |