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Hives can be caused by a number of things. It can be a reaction to the piece of food you ate, the new medication you took, or irritants in the air you breathe, among other causes. Urticaria was named in the 18th century for its resemblance to the rash caused by nettle, a plant of the genus Urtica. That genus name reflects the Latin word for "nettle" and is also related to the Latin verb urere, meaning "to burn." (It's easy to see the connection here if you know that many species of nettle have stinging hairs that irritate the skin.)
Examples of urticaria in a Sentence
Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes, 19 Oct. 2024
Simmons said the vice president has a history of seasonal allergies and urticaria, or hives.
—Darlene Superville, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2024
This article will help readers understand the relationship between urticaria pigmentosa and mast cells, urticaria pigmentosa symptoms, and treatments, as well as risk factors and management of the condition.
—Sarah Jividen, Verywell Health, 11 July 2024
With urticaria, especially chronic urticaria, a person might experience:11
Anxiety, depression, or both
Excoriations as the result of scratching the hives
Sleep and daily activity disruption
In addition, any allergy may run the risk of anaphylaxis, or a very severe allergic reaction.
—Reven Widener, Health, 17 May 2024
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Dictionary Entries Near urticaria
Cite this Entry
“Urticaria.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/urticaria. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024.
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