Q I'm an office worker in my 30s and suddenly developed hives all over my body. Why does this happen?
A Urticaria (hives) is a reaction where mast cells in the skin suddenly release histamine, causing wheals, redness, and itching. When IgE antibodies bind to specific antigens such as food, drugs, or environmental substances, this reaction is triggered. Acute urticaria lasts within 6 weeks and chronic lasts more than 6 weeks, with about 20% of adults experiencing it at least once in their lifetime.
Detailed Answer
Urticaria is caused by two main mechanisms: immune (IgE-mediated) and non-immune. In IgE-mediated type, specific allergens (food, drugs, bee venom, etc.) bind to IgE receptors on mast cell surfaces to release large amounts of histamine, and histamine dilates blood vessels and increases permeability to form wheals. In non-immune mechanisms, aspirin, NSAIDs, contrast media, etc. directly stimulate mast cells. About 50% of chronic urticaria has no identifiable cause and is diagnosed as idiopathic (chronic spontaneous urticaria).
Korean Medicine Perspective
In Korean medicine, urticaria is called eunjin (隱疹) or pungjin (風疹). It is seen as occurring when external wind pathogen (風邪) invades, or when weakened spleen-stomach function causes damp-heat to accumulate internally and radiate to the skin. In Hyeongsang medicine, lung-spleen deficient constitution is considered prone to repeated occurrence due to vulnerability to external pathogens.
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