Urticaria (hives) and food: does everyone need to avoid certain foods?

One thing to be clear about first

Food can be a trigger for urticaria (hives), but not all urticaria (hives) is related to food. During an acute flare, it is worth paying attention to what you have eaten recently. In chronic, recurring cases, other factors are more often involved. Whether a certain food is related needs to be judged together with the timing of flares and a doctor's assessment.

How to investigate in a scientific way

• Keep an honest record of when you eat and when flares happen, to look for a reliable link in time
• Do not stop several foods at once, otherwise it is hard to tell what the real cause is
• Relevant test results need to be interpreted by a doctor together with your symptoms, and cannot be used on their own as a reason to avoid a food
• If needed, a challenge assessment should be carried out in a medical setting according to standard procedures

Nutrition matters too

Avoiding many foods over a long time can lead to not getting enough protein and trace elements, especially in children. The range of foods to avoid should be as narrow as possible, and follow-up visits should be used regularly to assess whether changes are needed.

This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. Please follow your doctor's instructions for your specific situation.