Hives - Complications of urticaria
- Introduction
- Symptoms of urticaria
- Causes of urticaria
- Diagnosing urticaria
- Treating urticaria
- Complications of urticaria
Around half of people with persistent (chronic) urticaria and a quarter of people with short-term (acute) urticaria also develop a related condition called angioedema.
Chronic urticaria can be upsetting and negatively impact a person's mood and quality of life.
Angioedema
Angioedema is swelling in the deeper layers of a person's skin. It's often severe and is caused by a build-up of fluid.
The symptoms of angioedema can affect any part of the body, but usually affect the:
- eyes
- lips
- genitals
- hands
- feet
The swelling often appears suddenly and is much more severe than normal hives. It usually lasts between one and three days. Occasionally, it can be caused by medications such as ACE inhibitors, which are used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension).
As well as visible swellings, angioedema can also cause some or all of the following symptoms:
- a burning hot or painful sensation in the swollen areas
- swelling of the inside of the throat, the air tubes in the lungs and the tongue, making breathing difficult.
- swelling of the transparent layer of cells that cover the white part of the eye (conjunctiva), which affects vision
Medication, such as antihistamines and steroid tablets (oral corticosteroids), can be used to stop the swelling. Steroids are usually only given for short periods because they can have significant side effects when used over the long term.
Steroid injections may be needed in more severe cases of angioedema, when a person has breathing difficulties. These are usually given in hospitals or specialist clinics by an allergy or immune system specialist.
Read about treating angioedema.
Emotional impact
Living with any long-term condition can be difficult. For people with chronic urticaria, it can have a considerable negative impact on their mood and quality of life. Living with itchy skin can be particularly upsetting.
One study found that chronic urticaria can have the same negative impact as heart disease. It also found that one in seven people with chronic urticaria had some sort of psychological or emotional problem, such as stress, anxiety and depression.
See your GP if your urticaria is getting you down. Effective treatments are available to help improve symptoms of stress, anxiety and depression.
Talking to friends and family can also improve feelings of isolation and help you to cope better with your condition.
Read more about how talking to others can help.
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