Sometimes the source of the raised, cherry, and itchy bumps on your skin can be a mystery.

1 reason hives can be so surprising is that they can exist caused past many things you lot might not expect including stress and practise. Most of these unexpected causes for hives aren't serious, but some are a sign it'southward a adept idea to brand a medical appointment.

Read on for more than data most reasons yous may have hives.

Hives are an itchy reaction on your skin. They happen when a chemical chosen histamine is released in your body.

They tin appear anywhere on your torso and can be tiny pinprick-sized bumps or large raised areas that cover an entire limb. Hives often announced red or pinkish on white or light skin. People with darker skin might accept hives that are slightly lighter or slightly darker than the skin surrounding them.

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Hives on night skin.
Created past Samuel Freire da Silva, M.D. in homage to The Master And Professor Delso Bringel Calheiros. Paradigm obtained from Dermatology Atlas

No thing the color of your hives rash, all hives share these qualities:

  • raised
  • itchy
  • tender
  • round, oval, or uneven shaped
  • conspicuously defined border

Hives are also called urticaria. Sometimes, the cause of hives is obvious. For case, you lot might have an immediate reaction to something you lot're allergic to such equally pollen or pet dander. However, the cause isn't e'er clear. Hives tin can be sudden and surprising and seem to non have a cause.

Hives are a very common skin reaction that can come up from some unexpected sources. Some causes you lot might not accept idea of include:

  • Colds and other viral infections. Sometimes hives can be caused past your immune system fighting colds and other viral infections. These hives oft appear near the end of your common cold or virus as yous're starting to feel better. They're about common in children but can happen to anyone.
  • Bacterial infections. Bacterial infections such as strep throat or urinary tract infections tin can also sometimes trigger hives as your body reacts to the bacteria. These hives will fade every bit the antibiotics assist your body fight the infection. They might skin earlier healing completely.
  • Chronic conditions such as lupus. Hives that concluding for longer than half-dozen weeks might be a sign of an autoimmune condition such as lupus, blazon 1 diabetes, thyroid disease, or rheumatoid arthritis. These hives won't go away on their ain. It's a good thought to make a medical appointment to get this type of hive checked out and run into if a chronic condition is the crusade.
  • Stress. Stress can raise your internal body temperature and release adrenalin and other chemicals that might trigger hives. Stress hives tend to be located on the face, cervix, chest, and arms. They're common in people with eczema, allergies, or sensitive skin.
  • Temperature changes. Of a sudden encountering hot or cold, such as stepping into a steamy shower or entering a swimming pool, tin cause histamine to release and hives to form. Hives that course in response to temperature are called common cold urticaria. A red and itchy surface area of peel often forms effectually these hives.
  • Tight wear. Tight clothing can cause friction that leads to irritation and to hives. Clothes that sit shut to your skin can also button any bacteria on your peel surface into your pores and hair follicles.
  • Exercise. A chemical called acetylcholine is released in your body when y'all exercise can bear upon your skin cells and cause irritation and hives. Exercise hives are known as exercise-induced urticaria. Some people have additional symptoms along with hives such as shortness of breath, headache, flushing, and tum cramps.
  • Inflammation of claret vessels. An inflammation of your claret vessels known as vasculitis can cause painful hives. They can get out a trample on your skin and last for several days. Vasculitis is a serious medical status that requires treatment past a medical professional.
  • Medications. Some medications, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), antibiotics, and opioids tin can cause an allergic reaction that leads to hives. Hives following medication might be the first sign of a medical emergency called anaphylaxis. Other symptoms of anaphylaxis include shortness of jiff, wheezing, vomiting, and loss of consciousness.

Hives can be a sign of a serious allergic reaction that needs emergency medical emergency attending. It'southward important to accept action if you lot hives along with whatsoever of these symptoms:

  • wheezing
  • tightness in your chest or throat
  • trouble breathing
  • problem talking
  • swelling in your throat, face, or tongue
  • nausea
  • lightheadedness

If you are experiencing whatever of these symptoms, phone call 911.

A medico may prescribe you an epinephrine injector, such as an EpiPen, for future allergic reactions. They'll teach you how to apply it and answer whatever questions y'all might have. Y'all'll keep your epinephrine injector on hand and apply information technology if you develop hives in the futurity.

You'll still need to visit the emergency room after yous utilize your epinephrine injector, only information technology can end anaphylaxis from becoming deadly.

A doctor can diagnose hives and assist yous find the cause. They might recommend you go on a food diary to find out if in that location is whatever link between nutrient and your hives.

You might be sent to an allergist, a doctor who specializes in treating allergies, for additional testing. This might include blood work and urine tests to look for chemicals in your body that might tell the allergists what's causing your hives.

You might also accept a skin biopsy, especially if your allergist suspects vasculitis causing your hives. Hives that have lasted for longer than half dozen weeks will likely necessitate testing for underlying chronic atmospheric condition.

Sometimes, a specific cause isn't found. In this case, your hives will be diagnosed as idiopathic urticaria. The word "idiopathic" means unknown. In this example, your doctor will still be able to help you with a treatment programme, just you won't be able to tell what to avoid to forestall hives in the future.

Handling for hives volition depend on the severity of your hives and on the cause. For instance, y'all'll demand to avoid the cause of your hives if information technology has been plant.

Your physician volition piece of work with you to find the right treatment for you. Common options include:

  • Antihistamines. Both over-the-counter and prescription antihistamines block histamine and can care for hives. Yous might notice that certain antihistamines are more effective for you lot than others. Sometimes a combination of antihistamines is recommended.
  • Anti-crawling lotions. Lotions to calm down itching and redness can provide relief from hives and prevent scratching.
  • Antibiotics. Hives that are linked to bacterial infections tin be treated with antibiotics
  • Corticosteroids. Corticosteroids can be taken on a brusque-term basis to help with astringent cases of hives.

Read more almost hives handling options.

Hives tin can sometimes be surprising and accept no obvious cause. There are really a wide variety of things that can cause hives, including stress, colds, practice, and temperature changes. Chronic hives tin can point to an underlying condition such as lupus.

An allergist can aid y'all determine the cause of your hives and beginning treatment.