urticaria

American  

[ur-ti-kair-ee-uh] / ˌɜr tɪˈkɛər i ə /

noun

Pathology.

1. a transient condition of the skin, usually caused by an allergic reaction, characterized by pale or reddened irregular, elevated patches and severe itching; hives.

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urticaria British  

/ ˌɜːtɪˈkɛərɪə /

noun

1. Nontechnical names: hives.   nettle rash.  a skin condition characterized by the formation of itchy red or whitish raised patches, usually caused by an allergy

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urticaria Scientific  

/ ûr′tĭ-kâr′ē-ə /

1. See hives

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Other Word Forms

• urticarial
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of urticaria

1765–75; < New Latin, equivalent to Latin urtīc ( a ) nettle + -āria, feminine of -ārius -ary

Example Sentences

Ghost had an allergic reaction to the water, known as cold urticaria, breaking out in red welts and shaking uncontrollably, the court heard.

From BBC • Apr. 20, 2026

She has cold urticaria, a rare allergy which can cause her to have a reaction to as little as a gust of cool wind in summer.

From BBC • Jan. 19, 2026

In the realm of additives, substances like tartrazine and sodium benzoate emerge as potential instigators of urticaria and asthma.

From Salon • Jan. 8, 2024

The patient had developed an allergy to sunshine — a condition known as solar urticaria.

From New York Times • Jul. 6, 2023

In acute circumscribed œdema treatment is essentially that of urticaria, the diet being given special attention.

From Essentials of Diseases of the Skin Including the Syphilodermata Arranged in the Form of Questions and Answers Prepared Especially for Students of Medicine by Stelwagon, Henry Weightman