The History of Urticaria

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The history of urticaria is a fascinating account of mankind gradually growing to understand human diseases. The process starts with the many different names this disease has been given to in the past. The school of Hippocrates in 4th century BC recognized urticaria with nettles. The roman school instead focused on its burning sensation and is where Plinius named it uredo. In the 10th century, Hali Ben Abbas used the name essera because it means mountain or elevation, alluding that the welt is above skin level. In 18th century, Zelder called it urticatio, and in 1792, urticaria was the accepted name. A couple of words have been made during recent times but they did not clearly distinguish the disease from the other skin diseases. Some writings of the 16th century can be rediscovered indicating that strawberries and shellfish were implicated as a cause for urticaria. There were many other theories that tried to explain the causes of the formation of these raised welts. Many stated that certain foods were the reason but slowly doctors discovered that it is not just food that triggers urticaria.
Urticaria is now commonly known as hives, it is a common allergic reaction that makes the skin form raised red itchy welts. They can also burn or sting. Anyone can be susceptible to hives since it is a very common condition. Hives form when histamine, a chemical, is released by mast cells. Histamine is usually released with an allergic reaction and it acts by causing the blood vessels to leak fluid into the nearby tissues causing skin to puff up like a mosquito bite. Releasing histamine does not need to be from an allergic reaction though; there are other circumstances where it can be released. They are usually harmless and can last up to ha...

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