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.)
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Finally, after more than a month of agony, her allergist diagnosed her with chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) — an incurable condition marked by hives that last six weeks or longer, with no definitive cause or trigger.—Diane Herbst, People.com, 11 July 2025 Solar urticaria is a skin condition characterized by the presence of hives or welts during sun exposure.—Genevieve Cepeda, Travel + Leisure, 15 Apr. 2025 Types of Drug Rashes and How to Identify Them
A drug rash, or a skin reaction to a drug, can appear as discoloration, bumps, blisters, urticaria (hives), itching, or peeling of the skin.—Femi Aremu, Verywell Health, 4 Apr. 2025 Seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis and chronic idiopathic urticaria People 65 years of age and older should consult with a healthcare provider before using OTC Zyrtec.—T'keyah Bazin, Pharmd, Verywell Health, 10 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for urticaria
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