| Pressure
urticaria is the development of deep, painful hives after
pressure is applied perpendicularly to the skin. Pressure
urticaria is actually very common. One investigator found
that 37% of patients with chronic hives had pressure urticaria.
The hives of pressure urticaria are deeper
and more painful than hives caused by other stimuli. For example,
people with pressure urticaria may notice deep hives on the
buttocks after sitting on a hard surface for a long time.
They may also have swelling on the bottoms
of the feet after standing for a long time. Pressure urticaria
also occurs in areas where clothing is tight.
Pressure urticaria occurs 2 to 6 hours after
pressure is applied to the body. This delayed reaction makes
it difficult to diagnose pressure urticaria because the patient
doesn't usually associate pressure and hives.
The hives last from 8 to 72 hours and many people get a low-grade
fever, fatigue, chills, muscle aches, and headaches with the
hives. The disease is chronic lasting on average for 9 years.
The cause of pressure urticaria is unknown.
Diagnosis
Pressure Urticaria is diagnosed by applying a weight to the
forearm or shoulder for at least 5 minutes then observing
for hives 4 to 8 hours later. There are no lab tests that
aid in the diagnosis of pressure urticaria.
Treatment
Pressure urticaria can be a disabling disease. Avoiding pressure
to the skin is difficult. It involves not sitting or standing
on hard surfaces for prolonged periods of time. Patients should
also not wear tight clothing. Antihistamines are not helpful
for pressure urticaria. Many people require oral steroids
to control symptoms.
What
is Urticaria ?|Classification
of Urticaria|Chronic
Idiopathic Urticaria|Cholinergic
Urticaria|
Cold
Urticaria| Urticaria
causes|Traditional
Chinese Medicine and Urticaria|Pressure
Urticaria|
Solar
urticaria
|
