What are hives?
![For mild cases of hives, over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream can be used to alleviate itching and discomfort. Chronic hives require more intense treatments.](https://images.medicinenet.com/images/article/main_image/hives-angiodema.jpg)
Hivesare an uncomfortable skin reaction that causes itchiness and swelling.Hivesare quickly and easily treated.
Hives (orurticaria) are characterized byitchy许多trigge伤痕的皮肤反应rs. While uncomfortable, hives are usually harmless and clear up even without treatment. Hives can appear as small spots or larger blotches on the skin.
If hives occur due to anallergic reaction, they can be accompanied byangioedema, or swelling in the lower layers of the skin. This type of swelling, while common and typically harmless, can be dangerous if around the neck and mouth.
Symptoms of hives
If hives are caused by anallergicreaction, a host of other symptoms may be present, such as swelling,coughing, orshortness of breath. Hives are characterized by:
- Raised and red swellings (welts)
- Lone welts or connecting over a large area in groups
- Itching, sometimes stinging
- Pressing the center of ahivecauses it to turn white (blanching)
Due to their mild symptoms, hives are easy and quick to treat. Alleviating hives simply involves reducing theitchingand swelling.
Causes of hives
Hives typically fall into three different categories: acute, chronic, or physical.
- Acute: these hives last less than six weeks, come about suddenly, and are typically caused by an allergic reaction to food or medication.
- Chronic: these hives last for longer than six weeks and have no discernible cause, but usually believed to be autoimmune in nature.
- Physical: physical hives occur due to environmental factors. Extreme temperatures, pressure, sunlight,exercise, andsweatingcan lead to hives.
Hives are the skin’s reaction to irritation, an allergic reaction, or emotionalstress. Alternatively, hives can develop with no apparent cause. Some of the more common causes are:
- Food allergies
- Medications, such as antibiotics,aspirin, oribuprofen
- Insect stingsor bites
- Physical stimuli, such as weather,exercise, or sun exposure
- Certain materials, such as latex
- Bacterial infections, such as aUTIorstrep throat
- Pet dander
- Stress
- Pollen
- Plants
![](https://images.medicinenet.com//images/slideshow/allergy-triggers-s1-discovery.jpg)
SLIDESHOW
Common Allergies: Symptoms and SignsSee SlideshowWho can develop hives?
Any person of any age can develop hives. In fact, one in five people will have hives during their lives, and only 1 in 100 have severe (chronic) cases that last more than six weeks.
Diagnosing hives
Your physician can perform a physical exam to diagnose hives. If an allergic reaction is suspected, either by encountering a new stimulus or from past experience, they may perform urine, blood, or skin tests to determine if you experienced an allergic reaction and what may have caused it.
If you experience hives for a long time or frequently, keep a log of the scenarios and possible triggers for the hives. This can help you and a physician determine if your hives have a trigger or if they are chronic.
Hives treatment
If the hives are mild, treatment may not be necessary. While uncomfortable, hives are typically harmless and will recover on their own. Most available treatments reduce itching and swelling.
Medications and drugs
For mild cases of hives,over-the-counterhydrocortisone cream can be used to alleviate itching and discomfort. However, over-the-counterantihistamines, such asdiphenhydramine, can quickly alleviate itching. Antihistamines can also prevent further allergic reactions. Physicians may recommend daily over-the-counter or prescriptionallergymedications, such asloratadine,fexofenadine, orcetirizineif you might be frequently exposed to your triggers.
Chronic hives require more intense treatments. Physicians may call for regular injections ofomalizumab, which blocks the body’sallergyantibody. Your body may produce too much immunoglobulin E (IgE), causing more severe allergic reactions.
Certainhivesymptoms may not respond to traditional antihistamines. These often require the use ofcorticosteroids.
Home care
Avoiding potential hive triggers is the biggest preventative measure you can take at home. If a medication is causing the outbreak, stop using it and contact your physician.
Along with hydrocortisone creams, keeping the affected area cool can relieve itching and swelling:
- Apply acoldcloth to soothe the skin.
- Take a cool bath or shower.
- Wear loose, soft clothing to avoid skin irritation.
These everyday remedies combined with suggested medications will promote a quick and comfortable healing process.
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Hives complications
Since hives usually come about due to an allergic reaction, the risk ofanaphylaxisis a severe complication that can accompany hives. Additionally, hives around your throat can cause swelling and create a life-threatening blockage in yourairway. Otherwise, hives are harmless and will typically disappear over time.
![](https://images.medicinenet.com/images/quiz/allergy/allergy-s1.jpg)
QUESTION
Allergies can best be described as:See AnswerHealth SolutionsFrom Our Sponsors
American Academy of Family Physicians: “Hives (Urticaria).”
American Academy of Family Physicians: “Hives: What You Should Know.”
American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology: “Hives (Urticaria).”
Cleveland Clinic: “Hives (Urticaria) and Swelling (Angioedema): Management and Treatment.”
Mount Sinai: “Hives.”
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