What is Urticaria
Urticaria (also known as hives) is a disease characterized by the sudden development of itchy pale red bumps (wheals, hives) on the skin. Wheals may present in variable sizes and shapes and have a fleeting nature, with the skin returning to its normal appearance in around 24 hours. These wheals may appear in certain parts of the body, or they may be generalized. Hives are often accompanied by swelling known as angioedema.
Symptoms of Urticaria include:
- Batches of welts (wheals) that can arise anywhere on the body
- Welts that might be red, purple or skin-coloured, depending on your skin colour
- Welts that vary in size, change shape and appear and fade repeatedly
- Itchiness (pruritus), which can be intense
- Painful swelling (angioedema) around the eyes, cheeks or lips
- Flares triggered by heat, exercise or stress
- Symptoms that persist for more than six weeks and recur often and anytime, sometimes for months or years
When to see a doctor:
See your healthcare provider if you have severe hives or hives that last for more than a few days.
Urticaria Expert Videos
Patient Stories
2024
Elena, Italy
Maria, Peru
Maryvic, Philippines
Mustafina Mereke, Kazakhstan
Natasha, Canada
Fanny, Ecuador
Khatrin, Germany
2023
Zenobia, South Africa
Chandra, India
Margarida, Portugal
All Things Urticaria Podcast
The All Things Urticaria podcast was launched in 2020 as a collaboration between Medthority and GA2LEN.
The host, Prof. Marcus Maurer, Professor of Dermatology and Allergy at Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin is joined by his friends and colleagues to discuss research, studies, education, and to promote awareness of urticaria.
Please find below a list of episodes that are of particular interest to patients or the general public.
Patient advocacy and seeing through the patient’s eyes
Urticaria and Daily Life
Patient Organisations
Here you can find all the patient organisations that we support and support us.
