In Patients with urticaria, contact with a triggering substance or stimulus results in the occurrence of weals (med. urticae) that are very itchy. The reaction recalls changes in the skin that develop after touching stinging nettles (lat. urtica dioica). The term 'nettle rash' is therefore derived from this.
Depending on the cause and progression, a distinction is made between various forms of urticaria, e.g.
- Acute urticaria: It lasts at most 6 weeks, on average around 3 weeks, and represents the most frequent form of development. It is estimated that up to 25% of all people are affected once in their lives by acute urticaria.
- Chronic urticaria: If new weals occur regularly or constantly over a period of at least 6 weeks, this is by definition a case of chronic urticaria. This form of urticaria is often excruciating for those affected and negatively impacts their quality of life.
- Physical urticaria: It is triggered by physical stimuli such as pressure, heat, cold, X-rays or UV rays. It is therefore distinguished from urticaria as no problems occur if the known triggers are avoided.
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