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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
Mark Gurarie, Health, 6 Feb. 2025
Hives, also called urticaria, are red, itchy welts that can appear anywhere on the body and range from mild to severe.
—Sarah Jividen, Verywell Health, 15 Jan. 2025
In some cases, food allergies or medications like antibiotics can trigger a more widespread reaction called urticaria or hives, which may include small, blister-like lesions.
—Laura Schober, Health, 27 Dec. 2024
Chronic hives Chronic hives are also known as chronic spontaneous urticaria.
—Taylor Lane, Flow Space, 20 Nov. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Urticaria.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/urticaria. Accessed 12 Feb. 2025.
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