It started as an itch, then became a burn. Red, swollen patches appeared and disappeared across his skin, turning what seemed like a simple allergy into something far more alarming.
Doctors called it urticaria—hives caused by mast cells releasing chemicals that flood blood vessels and force fluid into the skin. As the reaction worsened, deeper swelling set in. His lips and eyelids distorted, swallowing became difficult, and fear replaced discomfort.
The search for triggers followed: foods, medications, infections, even stress. Doctors weighed whether it was acute urticaria that would fade—or a chronic form that could linger without a clear cause.
With antihistamines, short steroid treatments, and careful monitoring, the flare-ups slowly came under control. What once felt like “just hives” became a lasting lesson: skin reactions can signal serious danger, and recognizing them early can quietly save a life.
