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Hives (Urticaria) is a sudden outbreak of bumps and raised patches on the skin. They are often itchy, with sizes ranging from as small as a pea to several inches across your body. Along with hives, some people might develop swelling of tissue underneath the skin surface, which can be caused by an allergic reaction. Read more to find out everything you need to know about hives.
Hives (medically known as urticaria) is a common skin condition that affects about 20% of people in their lifetime. It is characterized by a sudden outbreak of raised, swollen bumps on the skin that look like mosquito bites. Hives can appear on any part of the skin, they commonly cause itching but also a burning or stinging sensation. Hives can appear alone, but some join together to form a large plaque of hives.
Normally, your body stores a chemical called histamine. When your immune system recognizes the entry of a threat, it releases histamines which can protect you from being seriously infected.
Hives happen when there is a release of histamine commonly triggered by an allergic reaction, infection, or exposure to cold. However, the exact cause of hives remains a mystery.
Common triggers include:
Two common types of hives:
Hives and angioedema are often mistaken for each other. Angioedema is defined as a deeper form of hives, which occurs deep beneath the skin rather than the surface of the skin. In rare cases, angioedema can take place in the throat or tongue which can block the airway, causing breathing difficulty. This may become a life-threatening emergency if left untreated.
The best way to identify your symptoms is to seek medical help, who can diagnose and treat both hives and angioedema.
If you have hives along with any of the following symptoms:
You might have an anaphylaxis reaction, which will require immediate medical care.
Your doctor will take a thorough medical history and ask about the onset, and potential triggers in an attempt to find the possible cause of hives. Since there are no specific tests for hives, the diagnosis will depend on your history and a thorough examination of your skin performed by your doctor.
If your medical history and physical examination of the skin suggest there is an underlying problem, your doctor may suggest you go for further testing such as blood tests and allergy skin tests.
The best approach to treat hives is to identify and remove the trigger, however, this is often a very difficult task. Other medications can be used to alleviate the symptoms or prevent new hives formation such as:
Acute hives usually appear suddenly and then fade away within 48 hours, however, they can last up to 6 weeks. Chronic hives last longer than 6 weeks and frequently recur over months and years.
The best way to stop getting hives is to identify and avoid the triggers. If your doctor thinks it could be an allergic reaction to a source, an allergy skin test may be suggested to help identify the underlying cause.
The exact cause of hives is a mystery. The common triggers include allergic reactions to certain food (eggs, peanuts, shellfish) or medication (antibiotics, ibuprofen), infection, physical stimuli, and insect stings or bites.
Hives look like batches of red or skin-colored bumps and can be found on any part of the skin. The bumps can vary in size and shape. When pressed, the red or skin-colored center of the bumps will turn white. Hives can appear alone or join together and form a plague.
This article was independently written by Healthy Matters and is not sponsored. It is informative only and not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be relied upon for specific medical advice.
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