Why is urticaria (hives) itchier at night?
Disease description:
I recently developed hives. They don’t itch during the day, but the itching becomes significantly worse at night. Why do hives tend to itch more severely at night?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Huang Lingjuan
Urticaria tends to cause more severe itching at night because the body’s hormone secretion peaks in the morning and declines in the evening, thereby weakening the body’s ability to suppress the release of allergens and intensifying itchiness during nighttime.
First-line treatment involves antihistamines for symptomatic relief, anti-allergic effects, and pruritus control. Commonly used medications include rupatadine, cetirizine, ebastine, and chlorpheniramine; these agents typically provide rapid onset of action and effective itch relief.
