Both urticaria and eczema are allergic skin conditions that occur as a result of a heightened immune system reaction to something in the environment – however, that is where similarities between the two conditions end.
Urticaria is the scientific name for hives, or itchy welts on the skin caused by a release of the chemical histamine into the bloodstream. This is usually due to the skin coming into contact with an allergen, though sometimes it can be caused by internal triggers, such as exercise or stress. There are different forms of urticaria, depending on what the trigger is for each case.
Eczema, on the other hand, is a condition that makes your skin red and itchy and is generally linked to asthma. This condition has more to do with the health of the skin than coming into contact with specific allergens. It usually means that the skin’s job to act as a barrier to outside bacteria and irritants is faulty for some reason. This results in overreaction of the immune system and a rash on the skin that may be accompanied by skin lesions that can be blistering and bleeding.
While eczema is a chronic condition that can begin in infancy and can follow you into adulthood, urticaria is only sometimes a chronic condition and usually is only temporary. Urticaria also does not require treatment since it will usually go away on its own. However, eczema has no cure and can only be managed with skin moisturizers for dryness and other medications to treat certain symptoms. One similarity is that both urticaria and eczema tend to be triggered by certain things, and once you are able to figure out what specifically triggers your flare-ups, you'll be able to better manage your condition.
