What started as a simple itch quickly turned into something far more serious.
At first, it was just irritation—burning, red patches appearing without warning, fading only to pop up somewhere else. He assumed it was an allergy, the kind that comes and goes.
Then came the diagnosis: urticaria.
Also known as hives, urticaria isn’t just a surface problem. It’s a reaction triggered by mast cells, immune cells that release histamine and other chemicals. When overactive, these cells make tiny blood vessels leak fluid, creating the raised, red welts we recognize as hives.
For some, it ends there. For others, it goes deeper.
As his flare worsened, swelling spread. Lips puffed. Eyelids ballooned. A tightness crept into his throat. This deeper reaction—angioedema—affects the layers beneath the skin and can become dangerous, especially around the face or airway. What started as discomfort now carried real risk.
Doctors searched for triggers. Urticaria can stem from foods, medications, infections, insect bites, temperature shifts, pressure on the skin, or stress. Often, no clear cause is found. Hives lasting under six weeks are acute, while those that flare for months or years are chronic.
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