urticaria

(er-tik-a’re-ah) [1,1. Nettle-rash, or hives; a skin disease characterized by the sudden appearance of smooth, slightly elevated patches, which are usually whiter than the surrounding skin and attended by severe itching. The eruption rarely lasts longer than two days. It may, however, exist in a chronic form. The disorder often arises from irritation of the gastro-intestinal, pulmonary, or urinary mucous membrane. The ingestion of certain foods, such as shell-fish, is apt to produce it. Menstruation or mental emotion may also be a cause. wu. bullo’sa, u. vesiculo’- 8a, an eruption of transient bullw or vesicles. u. confer’ta, a form in which the lesions occur in groups. u. endem’ica, a variety caused by certain species of caterpillar, and occurring as an endemic. epidemic u., a severe form ascribed to caterpillar poisoning. u. fact i’tia. Same as aulographism. u. gig an’tea, urticaria marked by large, soft swellings, chiefly about the face and eyes; an gio neurotic edema. Called also giant u. and u. edematosa.. hemorrhagi’ca. Same as purpura urticans. U. maculo’sa, a form in which the wheals retain their red color. u. mariti’ma, a form due to salt-water bathing. u. medic a men to’sa, a form due to the use of certain drugs. u. odemato’sa, a form marked by a suddenly appearing edematous swelling of the skin and subcutaneous ti ue of very large area. Called also giant x. u. papulo’sa, urcicaria with a papulous cruption, leaving a solid papule after the eruption has disappeared. It chiefly affects children. Called also lichen urticatus.. per’- 1058 UTEROPARIETAL stans, 2 form in which the wheals remain. wu. pigmento’sa, a form which leaves the skin marked with permanent pigmented stains. It occurs in early infant life, and is a very rare disease. u. subcuta’nea, a form with swellings, due to subcutaneous edema. u. tubero’sa, an gio neurotic edema. u. vesiculo’sa, a kind characterized by an eruption of blisters and vesicles.