Hello and welcome to the Zero to Finals podcast.

My name is Tom, and in this episode I'm going to be talking to you about Eurticaria.

And you can find written notes on this topic at zero definals.com slash urticaria

or in the dermatology section of the Zero Definals Pediatrics book.

So let's get straight into it.

Eurticaria are commonly known as hives. They are small itchy lumps that appear on the skin,

and they may be associated with a patchy erythematous rash. This can be localized to a specific

area or the urticaria can be widespread.

They may be associated with angiadema and flushing of the skin.

Urticaria can be classified as acute urticaria or chronic urticaria.

Let's start with the pathophysiology.

Urticaria are caused by the release of histamine

and other pro-inflammatory chemicals by mast cells in the skin.

This may be part of an allergic reaction in acute urticaria

or an autoimmune reaction in chronic idiopathic urticaria.

Let's start with the causes of acute urticaria.

Acute urticaria is triggered by something that stimulates the mar cells to release histamine,

and this may be allergies to food, medications or animals, contact with chemicals, latex or stinging nettles,

medications, viral infections, insect bites, or something called dermatographism,

which is where you rub the skin stimulating the release of histamine, causing urticaria.

Next, let's talk about chronic urticaria.

Chronic urticaria is an autoimmune condition where antibodies target the mass cells and

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