About 2% to 5% of people experience pressure urticaria, either immediate or delayed.
Learn more about pressure urticaria, the types, symptoms, causes, treatment options, and more.
Types of Pressure Urticaria
Pressure urticaria is a type of hives caused by a physical source, such as heat or something rubbing the skin. Pressure hives occur when a reaction of itchy bumps appears on the skin site where pressure was applied. There are two types of pressure urticaria: immediate and delayed.
Immediate
Immediate pressure urticaria is when hives appear on the skin within a few minutes of experiencing pressure, usually in about five to seven minutes. This condition is also called dermatographism. It can happen from rubbing or scratching in addition to pressure on the skin. Hives typically go away quickly, usually within a half-hour after they appear.
Delayed
Delayed pressure urticaria (DPU) is when hives appear on the skin a few hours after experiencing pressure, usually in about four to eight hours. The hives tend to go away within eight hours to two days. Medications generally used to treat hives, antihistamines, may not work if you have delayed pressure urticaria, but some research has shown that avoiding gluten can help.
Pressure Urticaria Symptoms
Symptoms of pressure urticaria are similar to those of other urticaria types. They include itchy bumps on the skin in the areas that experience prolonged pressure. People with pressure hives may also experience other symptoms, such as fatigue.
Pressure Urticaria Causes
The name pressure urticaria comes from its cause: prolonged pressure on the skin. This can come from wearing tight, constrictive clothing, carrying heavy items, or from body weight pressing down on a surface. People with pressure hives are more likely to get them on the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, shoulders, and back, as these areas are the most likely to endure pressure.
Diagnosis
Like other types of hives, pressure urticaria can be diagnosed by a medical professional, such as a primary care practitioner or a dermatologist. Unlike other types of urticaria, there is a test for pressure urticaria. A healthcare provider can apply pressure to the skin and then look at the area immediately afterward and six hours later.
Treatment
Hives can be treated by avoiding things that cause them in the first place, such as pressure; providing comfort with ice or cold washcloths on the area; or taking medications, such as antihistamines or corticosteroids. However, delayed pressure hives do not respond well to antihistamines. Research has shown that avoiding gluten can also help people who experience pressure hives.
Prevention
Since pressure hives are caused by extended pressure on the skin, they can sometimes be prevented. For example, by wearing special insoles in your shoes or wearing shoes that are not too tight, hives on your feet from tight shoes may be prevented. It can also be helpful to avoid edges when carrying objects or applying pressure to the body; instead, try to use positions that spread the weight over a larger surface area.
Summary
Pressure urticaria is a type of hives, or itchy bumps on the skin, caused by pressure. This may include pressure from wearing clothes or shoes that are too tight, carrying heavy items, or from body weight on a surface.
Immediate pressure hives appear in about five to seven minutes, while delayed pressure hives can take four to eight hours. Unlike other types of hives, your healthcare provider can perform a test to determine whether you have pressure hives.
Treatment options include using home remedies to relieve the discomfort, such as applying ice or cold compresses, taking medications, and eating a gluten-free diet.
A Word From Verywell
Pressure urticaria can be uncomfortable and interfere with daily activities. While this condition is unpleasant, it is not dangerous and is temporary. If you or someone you know is experiencing pressure hives, help is available. Reach out to your healthcare provider for support.
