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

1 reason hives can be and then surprising is that they tin can exist acquired by many things you might not expect including stress and do. Most of these unexpected causes for hives aren't serious, merely some are a sign it's a skillful idea to make a medical appointment.

Read on for more information about reasons you may have hives.

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

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

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Hives on nighttime peel.
Created by Samuel Freire da Silva, M.D. in homage to The Master And Professor Delso Bringel Calheiros. Epitome obtained from Dermatology Atlas

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

  • raised
  • itchy
  • tender
  • circular, oval, or uneven shaped
  • clearly divers border

Hives are also called urticaria. Sometimes, the crusade of hives is obvious. For example, y'all might have an firsthand reaction to something y'all're allergic to such as pollen or pet dander. Nevertheless, the cause isn't always articulate. Hives can be sudden and surprising and seem to non take a cause.

Hives are a very common skin reaction that can come from some unexpected sources. Some causes you might not take thought of include:

  • Colds and other viral infections. Sometimes hives can exist acquired by your immune arrangement fighting colds and other viral infections. These hives often appear near the end of your cold or virus as you're starting to feel amend. They're most common in children but can happen to anyone.
  • Bacterial infections. Bacterial infections such as strep throat or urinary tract infections tin besides sometimes trigger hives as your trunk reacts to the bacteria. These hives will fade as the antibiotics assistance your body fight the infection. They might peel before healing completely.
  • Chronic weather such as lupus. Hives that last for longer than half dozen weeks might be a sign of an autoimmune condition such every bit lupus, type 1 diabetes, thyroid disease, or rheumatoid arthritis. These hives won't go away on their ain. Information technology's a good idea to make a medical appointment to get this type of hive checked out and meet if a chronic condition is the cause.
  • Stress. Stress can heighten your internal trunk temperature and release adrenalin and other chemicals that might trigger hives. Stress hives tend to be located on the face up, cervix, breast, and artillery. They're common in people with eczema, allergies, or sensitive skin.
  • Temperature changes. All of a sudden encountering hot or common cold, such equally stepping into a steamy shower or entering a pond pool, can crusade histamine to release and hives to form. Hives that form in response to temperature are chosen common cold urticaria. A ruddy and itchy area of peel often forms around these hives.
  • Tight clothing. Tight clothing tin cause friction that leads to irritation and to hives. Dress that sit close to your skin can too push any bacteria on your skin surface into your pores and hair follicles.
  • Exercise. A chemical called acetylcholine is released in your body when you exercise tin bear on your peel cells and crusade irritation and hives. Practice hives are known as exercise-induced urticaria. Some people have additional symptoms along with hives such as shortness of breath, headache, flushing, and stomach cramps.
  • Inflammation of claret vessels. An inflammation of your claret vessels known equally vasculitis can crusade painful hives. They can exit a trample on your skin and last for several days. Vasculitis is a serious medical condition that requires handling by a medical professional.
  • Medications. Some medications, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), antibiotics, and opioids 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 breath, wheezing, vomiting, and loss of consciousness.

Hives can be a sign of a serious allergic reaction that needs emergency medical emergency attention. It'due south important to have action if you hives along with any of these symptoms:

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

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, telephone call 911.

A medico may prescribe you an epinephrine injector, such equally an EpiPen, for future allergic reactions. They'll teach y'all how to use it and answer any questions you might have. Yous'll proceed your epinephrine injector on mitt and employ it if you develop hives in the time to come.

You'll still demand to visit the emergency room later on yous use your epinephrine injector, but information technology can stop anaphylaxis from becoming deadly.

A doctor can diagnose hives and aid you notice the cause. They might recommend you keep a food diary to observe out if there is any link between food and your hives.

You might be sent to an allergist, a dr. 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 as well have a skin biopsy, especially if your allergist suspects vasculitis causing your hives. Hives that have lasted for longer than six weeks will likely necessitate testing for underlying chronic atmospheric condition.

Sometimes, a specific crusade isn't constitute. In this case, your hives will be diagnosed every bit idiopathic urticaria. The give-and-take "idiopathic" ways unknown. In this example, your doctor volition still exist able to help you lot with a treatment plan, simply y'all won't be able to tell what to avoid to prevent hives in the future.

Treatment for hives will depend on the severity of your hives and on the cause. For instance, y'all'll need to avoid the crusade of your hives if it has been found.

Your doctor will work with you to find the right handling for you. Common options include:

  • Antihistamines. Both over-the-counter and prescription antihistamines cake histamine and tin can treat hives. You might find that certain antihistamines are more effective for you than others. Sometimes a combination of antihistamines is recommended.
  • Anti-itch lotions. Lotions to calm down itching and redness can provide relief from hives and prevent scratching.
  • Antibiotics. Hives that are linked to bacterial infections can exist treated with antibiotics
  • Corticosteroids. Corticosteroids tin be taken on a brusque-term footing to assistance with severe cases of hives.

Read more almost hives treatment options.

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

An allergist tin help you determine the cause of your hives and commencement treatment.