Definition

1. Noun:
   • A skin condition: "Urticaria" is a medical term for an itchy skin eruption characterized by raised, red or skin-colored welts (also called hives or weals) that often have a pale center and a distinct red border. It is typically caused by an allergic reaction.

Usage

• "Urticaria" is used as a non-count noun to name the medical condition itself.
• It is a formal, clinical term. In everyday language, people more commonly say "hives."

Examples

• Noun:
  • The patient presented with acute urticaria after eating shellfish.
  • Chronic urticaria can be difficult to manage and may last for weeks.
  • Common triggers for urticaria include certain foods, medications, and insect stings.

Advanced Usage

• "Urticaria" in Medical Contexts: The term is often modified by adjectives describing its type, duration, or cause.
  • Cholinergic urticaria is triggered by heat or exercise.
  • The dermatologist diagnosed her with *pressure urticaria.

Variants and Related Words

• Hives (n): The common, non-medical synonym for urticaria.
  • She broke out in hives due to the allergy.
• Weal or Wheal (n): Refers to an individual raised, itchy lesion characteristic of urticaria.
  • Each red weal on her skin was intensely itchy.
• Angioedema (n): A related condition involving deeper swelling, often occurring with urticaria.

Synonyms

• Hives: The most common direct synonym.
• Nettle rash: An older term, comparing the rash to the sting of nettles.

Related Phrases / Collocations

• To break out in urticaria/hives: To suddenly develop the condition.
  • He breaks out in urticaria whenever he takes penicillin.
• Urticaria pigmentosa: A specific skin condition where urticaria occurs with increased skin pigmentation.
• Inducible urticaria: Urticaria triggered by a specific physical stimulus like cold or pressure.

Noun

1. an itchy skin eruption characterized by weals with pale interiors and well-defined red margins; usually the result of an allergic response to insect bites or food or drugs