In terms of allergens, hives can be caused by factors such as pollen, medications, food, animal dander, and insect bites. Hives might also be caused by circumstances besides allergies. As there are several potential triggers, many times the actual cause of hives cannot be determined. People who are known to have allergies are more likely to get hives.
You may also be at risk to develop hives if you are on medication or if you are unknowingly exposed to things you may be allergic to, such as food or pollen. If you are already ill with an infection or a health condition, you may be more vulnerable to developing hives.
The most noticeable symptom associated with hives is the welts that appear on the skin. Welts may be red, but can also be the same color as your skin. They can be small and round, ring-shaped, or large and of random shape. Hives are itchy, and they tend to appear in batches on the affected part of the body. They can grow larger, change shape, and spread. Hives may disappear or reappear over the course of the outbreak.
Individual hives can last anywhere from half an hour to a day. Hives may turn white when pressed. Sometimes the hives may change shape or form together and create a larger, raised area. Hives can occur in a variety of places on the body.
Call or seek medical attention immediately if you develop a hive outbreak around your throat or on your tongue or have trouble breathing along with hives. The most common causes of hives are allergic reactions. These can be caused by any allergen you might be sensitive to, including:. Mild cases of hives caused by allergies are typically treated with long- or short-term allergy medications and avoidance of the trigger.
Anaphylaxis is a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction. In this condition, hives are often accompanied with breathing difficulties, nausea or vomiting, severe swelling, and dizziness. The only treatment for anaphylaxis is epinephrine. Emergency medical services carry epinephrine and can provide prompt treatment.
You should also go to the emergency room after using an auto-injector. If the cause of hives can be identified, the best treatment is to avoid the trigger or eliminate it:. Some cases of hives last for more than six weeks and can last months or years.
This condition is known as chronic hives. If the cause cannot be identified, even after a detailed history and testing, the condition is called chronic idiopathic urticaria.
Chronic hives may also be associated with thyroid disease, other hormonal problems or, in very rare instances, cancer. Even this condition usually dissipates over time. In physical urticaria, the hives have a physical cause, such as exposure to heat, cold or pressure. Inflammation of the blood vessels, or vasculitis, can also cause hives. These hives are more painful than itchy, may leave a bruise on the skin and often last more than a day.
Find answers with an allergist. Hives Hives, also known as urticaria, affects about 20 percent of people at some time during their lives. On this page. Whether your allergist suggests a treatment available only by prescription or an over the counter treatment will depend on several factors, including how uncomfortable the hives are making you. Find expert care. Find an Allergist. Symptoms Symptoms can last anywhere from minutes to months — or even years.
While they resemble bug bites, hives also known as urticaria are different in several ways: Hives can appear on any area of the body; they may change shape, move around, disappear and reappear over short periods of time.
Allergist Stanley Fineman, MD. Is It Hives or Angioedema? The following symptoms may indicate angioedema: Swelling in the eyes or mouth Swelling of the hands, feet or throat Difficulty breathing, stomach cramps or swelling of the lining of the eyes The best way to identify your symptoms is to talk to an allergist who can diagnose and treat both hives and angioedema. Diagnosis In some cases, the trigger is obvious — a person eats peanuts or shrimp , and then breaks out within a short time.
Management and Treatment Researchers have identified many — but not all — of the factors that can cause hives. Here are a few of the most common causes: Some food especially peanuts, eggs, nuts and shellfish Medications, such as antibiotics especially penicillin and sulfa , aspirin and ibuprofen Insect stings or bites Physical stimuli such as pressure, cold, heat, exercise or sun exposure Latex Blood transfusions Bacterial infections, including urinary tract infections and strep throat Viral infections, including the common cold, infectious mononucleosis and hepatitis Pet dander Pollen Some plants Antihistamines — available either over the counter or by prescription — are a frequently recommended treatment for hives.
Rubbing or scratching: Avoid harsh soaps. Frequent baths may reduce itching and scratching — beneficial because itching and scratching can make the hives feel worse. However, they can also be chronic, ongoing cases. They are usually red or pinkish in color and can be extremely itchy or even sting or hurt. Hives differ in size and appearance — they can be small and round or large and randomly shaped.
They also most commonly appear in batches and can spread if not treated. Hives are typically caused by an allergic reaction to a medication, food, or an irritant in the environment. They can also be caused by exposure to certain animals like cats or dogs.
However, people can develop hives for reasons other than allergies. Some other common causes of hives include:. But why does your body have this reaction to different elements? When your body has an allergic reaction, it begins to release histamines into your blood. Histamines are chemicals your body produces to defend itself against infection. In some people, histamines lead to swelling and itching. Hives can appear either immediately or up to two hours after exposure.
Others look like thin, raised lines. Hives also show up on the skin in many sizes. They can be as small as a pinprick, large as a dinner plate, or any size in between. Regardless of what they look like, hives tend to appear and clear within a few hours.
Some people have one flare-up and never get hives again. If you continue to get hives daily or almost every day for six weeks or longer, you have chronic hives.
When you have chronic hives, the most effective treatment often depends on the type of the hives you have and your medical history. Make an appointment to see a board-certified dermatologist, allergist, or primary care doctor. A thorough medical exam can help rule out possible causes, such as an infection or medication, which could be causing your hives. If signs indicate that this may be the cause, medical testing can find or rule out these causes.
While medications and medical conditions can cause hives, there are many other causes, including foods, insect bites, and pressure on the skin. If that happens, your dermatologist can still recommend lifestyle changes and prescribe medication that can help reduce your flare-ups. Keep track of your flare-ups. Some triggers that can cause long-lasting hives are shown below.
Take photos of your hives. When your see your dermatologist, you may not have hives. Taking pictures can help your dermatologist make sure you have hives. Other skin conditions can look like hives. Relieve the itch at home.
Itch is common in people who have chronic hives. Here are some ways to get temporary relief: Avoid overheating. Wear loose-fitting, cotton clothes. Apply a cold compress, such as ice cubes wrapped in a washcloth, to the itchy skin several times a day—unless cold triggers your hives.
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