• • • • • • Treatment forUrticariaand determine ifasystemicillnessispresent. that youareallergicto.Routinebloodtestsdoneto Skin testsmaybeperformedtodeterminethesubstance • • • • • • • Angioedema Tips toManageUrticariaand be beneficialinseverecasesforlongtermcontrol. Other immunosuppressant such as cyclosporin may be needed. injection ofadrenalineorasteroidmedicationmay For aseverehivesorangioedemaoutbreak,an Oral corticosteroidsmaybeprescribed. please contactourdietitian. cases. Tofindoutmoreaboutalowhistaminediet, histamine derivedfromfoods,whichhelpsinsome A low histamine diet can help to reduce exogenous areveryrare. urticaria persists.Reportsofserioussideeffects Antihistamines may be needed for as long as the and can reduce itching and rash in most cases. Ant hard task. identify andremovethetrigger,butthisisoftena The besttreatmentforhivesandangioedemaisto Keep afooddairytoidentifyany specificfoodtriggers and preservatives Av Wear loose-fittinglightweight clothes Try toworkandsleepinacoolroom areas Apply coolcompressesorwetclothstotheaffected Use gentle,mildsoap Avoid hotwater;uselukewarmwater oid foods that are fermented or high in colorings ihistamines block the effect of histamine, © A memberofHKSHMedical Group www.hksh-hospital.com Closed onSundaysandPublic Holidays Wed &Sat:9:00am–1:00pm Mon, T Service Hours Email: Fax: Tel: 2 VillageRoad,HappyValley,HongKong Hong KongSanatorium&Hospital 9/F, LiShuPuiBlock Centre please contactusat: For enquiriesandappointments, Hong KongSanatorium &HospitalLimited.Allrightsreserved.

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ALC.038I.H/E-03-102017 Allergy Centre Urticaria and Angioedema Allergy Centre Allergy 過敏病科中心 Urticaria and Angioedema Common Triggers: • Allergic reactions to foods, drugs or animals caused by exposure to sunlight, result in redness Urticaria, also known as hives, is a sudden outbreak • Chemicals in foods and itch, usually last for less than one hour. of swollen, pale red bumps, or patches that look like • Insect stings mosquito bites. Urticaria can cause itching, burning or • Pressure on skin stinging. Hives vary in size, and can appear anywhere • Sunlight exposure Itchy hives caused by cold temperature including rain, on the body, including face, lips, tongue, throat, or ears. • Exercise wind or cold water. Swimming in cold water may cause They may join together to form larger areas known as severe hives and possibly fainting, therefore must be plaques. They can last for hours, or up to several days avoided. before fading. Types of Urticaria and Angioedema Angioedema is a deeper form of urticaria that occurs Acute urticaria and/or angioedema Aquagenic urticaria beneath the skin instead of on the surface. Angioedema Hives or swelling lasting less than six weeks. The Hives caused by exposure to water of any temperature, is characterised by deep swelling around the eyes and most common causes are foods, medicines, latex, or usually on the upper part of the body, usually last for lips and sometimes of the genitals, hands and feet. It infections. Insect bites and internal disease may also less than one hour. can also involve the gut giving rise to tummy pains. It be responsible. The most common foods that cause generally lasts longer than hives, but the swelling usually hives are shellfish, nuts, chocolate, fish, tomatoes, Contact urticaria goes away in less than 24 hours. eggs, fresh berries, soy, wheat, milk, food additives Hives caused in minutes by contacts with chemicals, and preservatives. Medicines that can cause hives and Occasionally, severe, prolonged tissue swelling can be foods, plants, animals or animal products. Some angioedema include aspirin and other non-steroidal disfiguring. In rare cases, angioedema of the throat, common causes are citrus, eggs, latex, cats and dogs, anti-inflammatory (NSAIDs, such as tongue, or lungs can block the airways, causing usually last for less than one hour. breathing difficulty. This may become life-threatening. ibuprofen), high blood pressure medications (ACE inhibitors), or painkillers such as codeine. Angioedema without weals Chronic urticaria and/or angioedema Angioedema caused by medications (aspirin, ACE inhibitors) or food , or a part of chronic urticaria / Hives or swelling lasting more than six weeks. The angioedema. cause of this type of hives is usually more difficult to identify than those causing acute urticaria and/ or angioedema. The causes can be similar to those of acute urticaria but can also include autoimmunity, This is painful swelling of tissue of face, mouth, throat or chronic infections, hormonal disorders, and malignancy. gut, caused by an inherited deficiency of a blood protein. It is passed on through families. Urticaria Angioedema Hives occur when sweating, and can be triggered Diagnosis of Urticaria and during exercise, by heat, emotional stress or eating Angioedema What Causes Urticaria and spicy foods. Small itchy bumps with variable redness Angioedema? appear within minutes, and usually last for less than Your doctor will need to ask many questions in an one hour. attempt to find the possible cause of urticaria or Both urticaria and angioedema are caused by the angioedema. Since there are no specific tests for hives, release of histamine and other chemicals from the mast Dermatographism or the associated swelling of angioedema, testing cells in the skin. There are many triggers for urticaria and will depend on your medical history and a thorough Also called “skin writing”, itchy weals occur after firmly angioedema, and different tests are available for finding examination by your primary care doctor, allergist, stroking or scratching the skin. This urticaria is generally the causes. However, the exact cause is often unknown. immunologist, or dermatologist. very itchy especially when hot and last for less than an hour.