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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.)
Examples of urticaria in a Sentence
Johna Burdeos, Health, 30 Oct. 2024
While urticaria can affect anyone, there are certain patterns doctors see in patients with the condition.
—Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 29 Oct. 2024
Around 20 percent of people will suffer urticaria at some point in their lives, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.
—Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes, 19 Oct. 2024
Simmons said the vice president has a history of seasonal allergies and urticaria, or hives.
—Darlene Superville, Los Angeles Times, 12 Oct. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Urticaria.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/urticaria. Accessed 18 Nov. 2024.
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