The medical name for hives is “urticaria.” People also call it welts, wheals, or nettle rash.
Hives affects around
of people at some time in their lives. The issue can be chronic or acute.
Keep reading to find pictures of hives, the potential causes, symptoms, treatments, and prevention methods.
Sometimes there is no clear reason why hives occur. However, they can develop as
to:
Allergens
Hives can develop when the body reacts to an allergen. When an allergic reaction occurs, the body releases a protein known as histamine. Next, tiny blood vessels called capillaries leak fluid. This fluid accumulates in the skin and causes
and a rash. As fluid accumulates under the skin, small bumps form.
The reaction can occur if a person consumes something or touches something that they have an allergy to. This is known as “contact urticaria.”
If acute hives results from an allergic reaction, the cause
:
a medication, such as: some
some
nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
, such as
angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors
, which are drugs for
nuts, eggs, seafood, or another food allergen
kiwi,
, chestnuts, or
, in people with a
some plants, including
,
, and poison oak
additives in some foods, cosmetics, and other products
Physical triggers
A physical trigger other than an allergen can cause hives. Here are some
:
sunlight exposure
scratching or rubbing the skin
pressure, from a tight belt, for example
extreme temperatures or changes in temperature
a
, due to sweating, exercise, anxiety, or a hot shower
, which the body releases during exercise and exposure to heat or stress
UV light from a tanning bed
water on the skin, in rare cases
vibration, in rare cases
Underlying health conditions
Some examples of health conditions that
hives include:
viral infections, such as
,
,
, or
bacterial infections, such as some
and
intestinal
, such as Giardia lamblia
autoimmune hypothyroidism
autoimmune conditions, such as
,
,
,
, and
any other condition that causes inflammation of blood vessels
Sometimes, hives can become chronic as a result of these conditions, or other unknown triggers.
The symptoms of hives include:
raised, itchy bumps on the skin, ranging from the size of a pinprick to
across
bumps that are pink, red, or skin-colored
bumps that have a pale center when a person presses it
bumps that come and go quickly, often within
, although new ones may form
Hives does not always appear as bumps. The lesions
:
tiny spots
blotches
thin, raised lines
The time it takes for the lesions to appear depends on the cause.
In someone with contact urticaria, the reaction occurs
after exposure to the allergen and lasts up to 24 hours.
In a person with a
, hives usually appear within
. Reactions to food colorings and other additives can appear after 12–24 hours. A reaction to a drug can appear at once or much later, even years after starting to use the medication.
In some cases, hives persists for several days. People with chronic hives can have the symptoms for months or years.
Hives can appear anywhere on the body, such as the:
legs
arms
trunk
face
Hives on the legs
Some people have “
” in reaction to insect or
. It usually affects children who have not yet developed immunity to these bites. The lesions can develop anywhere, but
on the legs.
The symptoms of papular urticaria are similar to hives in general, but the bumps tend to be small, between 0.2 to 2.0 centimeters across. They may contain fluid and form in clusters.
Hives on the face
When hives results from an allergy or sensitivity reaction, it can significantly affect the face. For example, it may cause swelling in the lips.
The swelling can become more widespread and affect the mouth, throat, and airways. In this case, the person may find it hard to breathe. This is an emergency, and the person needs urgent medical care. They are at risk of developing
.
If a specific object appears to have triggered the reaction, it may be helpful to take a sample to the hospital.
The best approach to treatment depends on the cause and whether the issue is acute or chronic.
Acute urticaria
Acure urticaria is short-term. If the symptoms are mild and occur after exposure to a specific allergen or irritant, home remedies can soothe the itchiness until the rash disappears.
Options that a doctor may recommend
:
such as
(Zyrtec) or fexofenadine (Allegra)
soothing creams to reduce itchiness
antiseptic creams to prevent a secondary infection
short-term use of topical steroids
If there are signs of allergy and the person has swelling in their lips, face, or tongue, the doctor may prescribe an epinephrine auto-injector to carry for use in emergencies.
Chronic urticaria
A person with chronic urticaria may need to take antihistamines regularly until their symptoms resolve.
Omalizumab (
) is an injectable drug that
immunoglobulin E, a substance that plays a role in allergic responses. It can reduce symptoms of chronic spontaneous urticaria, a type of hives with an unknown origin.
If tests reveal an underlying disease, such as lupus, the doctor will recommend treatment for this.
Tips for reducing hives symptoms include:
using a soothing lotion or
to ease the itchiness
wearing loose, light, cotton clothing
avoiding scratching
choosing soaps, moisturizers, and other cosmetics for sensitive skin
avoiding exposure to known triggers
It is important to speak with a healthcare professional before using supplements, as these can trigger adverse reactions. Some supplements and vitamins contain substances that
hives.
Preventing hives
Some tips for preventing hives include:
keeping a diary to see if any particular triggers cause them
avoiding those triggers
taking over-the-counter antihistamines when the
count is high, if pollen may be a trigger
talking to a doctor about whether medications may be responsible
using
and other
to manage stress
choosing mild or fragrance-free soaps, skin creams, and detergents
Doctors can diagose hives by performing a
and asking about a person’s symptoms. They will then try to determine if they are acute or chronic.
Acute urticaria
If the hives only occur in certain situations and are short-lived, this suggests acute hives. Doctors may try to find a trigger by asking what they were doing when the hives began. A doctor may also review the medications or supplements a person takes.
If the trigger is unclear, the doctor may ask a person to keep a symptom diary of when the hives appear. Doctors
recommend extensive
for a single episode of hives.
Chronic urticaria
If the hives persist for more than
, a doctor may recommend blood tests and other tests to identify the underlying cause, though pinpointing the cause is not always possible.
Hives are not contagious. However, if they occur due to an underlying infection, that infection could be contagious.
Yes, stress
hives in some people. The reason for this is that stress causes a release of adrenalin, which can be a trigger for hives.
Managing stress through meditation, exercise, or mental health treatment may help people with chronic hives manage their symptoms.
Hives are a kind of rash. Doctors tell them apart from other types of rash based on the symptoms.
Hives are raised bumps or areas of skin that appear quickly and are itchy. Usually, each bump lasts
, and the middle of a hive will turn pale when a person presses it.
Certain autoimmune conditions
chronic hives. These include systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, celiac disease, Sjögren’s disease, and type 1 diabetes. If a person does not yet have a diagnosis, the symptoms that a person experiences alongside hives can help a doctor determine the underlying cause.
Hives, or urticaria, is a kind of rash. It may result from an allergy, an underlying health condition, or other triggers. Acute hives start suddenly and resolve within
, while chronic hives can last for months or years.
If a person knows that something specific triggers their hives, they may be able to avoid it. However, the cause of hives is not always clear.
If hives is affecting the quality of life, speak with a doctor. They can recommend treatment and check whether an underlying health issue is the cause.
If hives occurs with swelling in the mouth or throat, nausea,
,
, or cold, clammy skin, the person may have a life threatening condition called anaphylaxis, and they require immediate medical care.