Have you ever noticed that suddenly some parts of your body become red, slightly swollen, and sometimes have large, itchy bumps? Sometimes these appear and disappear in a short time, even a few hours. We call this in our language by names like 'hives' or 'urticaria'. So today we will talk about these hives, or medically known as Urticaria, or in English , hives .
What are these "Hives"? To put it simply...
Hives are red bumps (we call them eczema-like) or spots that appear on the surface of your skin. These are actually a type of inflammation that occurs on the surface of your skin. This happens when your body has an allergic reaction to something. Now you may be wondering what an allergic reaction is. Our body has an immune system . This is what protects us from diseases. So, when certain proteins (we call them allergens) that are harmful to some people but not to most people enter the body, the immune system works against them. That's when these types of hives appear.
These welts itch a lot when they appear. Sometimes they can feel like a burning or stinging pain. They can be as small as the tip of your finger, or they can spread as large as a large plate. Doctors call this hives ``Urticaria`` .
Sometimes these rashes can coalesce to form large patches called plaques . Most of the time, the warts will disappear within 24 hours, but sometimes they can remain visible for several days or even longer.
Are there main types of hives?
Yes, there are several main types of worm candy. Let's see what they are.
Acute Urticaria
These are the most common types of ringworm that most people get. These types of ringworms last less than six weeks . They come on suddenly and go away in a few days.
Chronic Urticaria
This is a bit of a bothersome condition. If these worms appear at least twice a week for more than six weeks , it falls into this category. Some people have to suffer with worms for months or even years.
These long-term hives sometimes have no clear cause . In such cases, it is called chronic spontaneous urticaria . In the past, it was also called chronic idiopathic urticaria . "Idiopathic" means that the cause is unknown.
Physical Urticaria
This is also a special type. Some people get hives when they are exposed to cold, heat, or sunlight, and some people get hives when they experience vibration or pressure on their skin, exercise, or sweat. This is called physical hives or inducible urticaria . They usually appear within an hour of exposure to the relevant substance. This type can also sometimes be long-term. Imagine, there are some people who, even if they touch a little hard with their hands, the area swells up and turns red. That could also belong to this type.
What is the difference between hives and a normal rash?
This is something that many people confuse. A rash is any abnormal condition that occurs on the skin. That is, it can be anything from spots, swelling, itching, redness, etc. Hives are a type of rash . But not all rashes are hives. Just like not all fruits are mangoes, but mangoes are a type of fruit.
Who is more likely to develop hives?
In fact, anyone can get hives. If you have allergies to a lot of things, you're likely to get hives frequently. For others, that is, those who don't have such severe allergies, they may get them once or several times in their lifetime.
Especially among children, there has been a link between acute hives and conditions such as asthma, allergic rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis . Hives can also occur during times of high stress .
How common are hives?
You might be surprised to hear this. It is said that about 20% of the population will develop hives at least once in their lives. That is about one in five people. However, long-term hives (Chronic hives) only affect between 1% and 3% of the population.
What are the symptoms of acute hives?
Ringworm looks different for everyone. They can appear anywhere on your body. The main symptoms of short-term ringworm are:
- Raised bumps or spots on the skin. These may appear red in someone with light skin.
- When you press the middle of the worm candy, it turns pale (Blanching) . That is, when you press it, the red color in that area decreases and becomes lighter.
- Itching is the main and most bothersome symptom.
- Sometimes, swelling under the skin can cause a swollen appearance. This is called angioedema . This can also cause painful swelling of the lips, around the eyes, and inside the throat. This can be a sign of something a little more serious.
What are the symptoms of chronic hives?
For the most part, long-term ringworm looks the same as short-term ringworm. That is, itchy, swollen, raised bumps that are pale in the middle when pressed. However, long-term ringworm can cause the following:
- The size and shape of the bumps that appear can change constantly . What is small in one place today may become larger in another place tomorrow.
- These appear, disappear, and reappear at least every few days . They can last for months, sometimes years.
- These can occur with heat, exercise, or stress .
What causes hives?
Causes of acute hives
Most of the time, short-term hives are caused by an allergic reaction to something you eat, drink, or touch . Our skin has a special type of immune cell called mast cells . When these cells are activated, they release a chemical called histamine. Among those chemicals , histamine is the main cause of hives. You may have heard that the medicine you take to relieve itching is called antihistamine. This is because it reduces the action of histamine.
Apart from that, ringworm can also occur due to various other reasons like infections, stress, and physical pressure on the skin . But sometimes even doctors can't figure out exactly what caused you to get ringworm.
Causes of chronic hives
Unlike short-term hives, long-term hives are usually not caused by allergies . They can be caused by bacterial or viral infections , or as a result of other medical conditions, such as lupus . However, in many cases, doctors cannot find a specific cause. In such cases, it is called idiopathic or spontaneous hives.
Although long-term worms can last a long time, they are usually not permanent . Although they can be a little uncomfortable, they are not life-threatening.
Are hives contagious?
This is also a problem for many people. Unlike some other skin diseases, ringworm is not contagious . However, if you get ringworm because you got the sap of a plant like the marigold on your skin, you can spread the allergen from that plant to others until you wash the sap off your skin. That can cause ringworm to others. But a person with ringworm is not directly contagious to another person.
How to know for sure if you have hives? (Diagnosis)
Your doctor can look at your skin to see if you have hives and angioedema (swelling under the skin). Allergy tests can help find out what you are allergic to. But this is most important for short-term hives (acute hives) . Once you know the cause, you can avoid those allergens and avoid the hives that come with them. The main allergy tests for hives are:
- Skin tests: In this test, doctors apply various allergens to your skin. If your skin turns red or swells, it means you are allergic to that substance. This is also called a skin prick test or scratch test . However, these skin tests are not usually done for long-term ringworm.
- Blood tests: A blood test checks the amount of specific antibodies in your blood. Our bodies make these antibodies to fight off allergens. If your body makes too many of these antibodies, you may get hives and swelling.
How to treat hives? How to manage them?
Most of the time, ringworm will go away without any treatment . However, your doctor may recommend some medications and home remedies to help ease your discomfort and reduce the chance of recurring ringworm. Treatment includes:
- Allergy medications: Antihistamines block the effects of histamine . They can be taken as pills or applied to the affected skin as a cream. Antihistamines can help reduce the itching caused by hives and can also help reduce or eliminate the allergic reaction. Some antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl®) , work quickly (but can make you drowsy). Depending on the severity of your hives, your doctor may recommend a daily allergy medication such as Loratadine (Claritin®), Fexofenadine (Allegra®), Cetirizine (Zyrtec®), or Levocetirizine (Xyzal®) .
- Allergy shots: For people with long-term, difficult-to-treat allergies, doctors may recommend monthly shots that block the allergic response. People with severe allergies produce a type of antibody called IgE (Immunoglobulin E) . These shots stop the immune system from making IgE.
- At-home treatments: To get relief from ringworm, you can take a cold shower or bath . Wear loose clothing . Apply cold compresses . You can also apply an over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream or an antihistamine cream to reduce itching and swelling.
- Oral steroids: If antihistamines or topical steroids do not help, corticosteroids such as prednisone can help reduce the symptoms of ringworm. However, these should only be used under medical supervision.
- Epinephrine: A severe, short-term allergic reaction can lead to a life-threatening condition called anaphylaxis . Symptoms include hives, swelling of the face, mouth, or throat, difficulty breathing, wheezing, vomiting, and low blood pressure. Anaphylaxis is life-threatening . Anyone experiencing this type of reaction should be given an epinephrine injection (EpiPen®) immediately to open the swollen airways.
What are the possible complications of hives?
If someone has a severe, short-term allergic reaction, their airways – that is, their throat and lungs – can swell up in a life-threatening way. This condition is called anaphylaxis . This can cause the airways to completely close, and even cause death.
Anaphylaxis is a medical emergency! If someone suddenly has difficulty breathing, their face swells, they have hives all over their body, and they feel dizzy, it could be anaphylaxis. In such a case, you should immediately go to the hospital.
Anaphylaxis is often caused by a severe allergy to certain foods, such as peanuts or other tree nuts, or by a bee sting. If you have anaphylaxis, you should immediately get an epinephrine injection. For example , an EpiPen® or an AUVI-Q® .
Epinephrine opens the airways, increases blood pressure, and reduces swelling and itching. If you receive an epinephrine injection outside of a medical setting, you should definitely go to an emergency room and stay under medical supervision afterward. This is because symptoms of anaphylaxis can recur as the effects of the epinephrine wear off.
What is the recovery outlook for people with hives?
For most people, worm candy does not cause serious problems. In children, allergies to worm candy usually go away over time.
But for some people, allergic reactions like angioedema can lead to anaphylaxis – severe swelling of the airways and lungs. If you have this life-threatening condition, you should carry an epinephrine auto-injector (EpiPen®) with you and know exactly when and how to use it.
How do I prevent hives?
Preventing acute hives
Your doctor can use allergy test results to help you figure out what triggers your short-term hives. Once you know what triggers you, you can avoid them. You may want to do the following:
- Eliminate certain foods from your diet (e.g. shrimp, squid, some fruits, dairy products - only if you are allergic to them)
- Reduce exposure to airborne allergens (e.g., dust, pollen)
- Switch to fragrance- and dye-free laundry soaps and body soaps.
- Avoid sudden changes in temperature (going to a cold place, going to a hot place)
- When you feel stressed or tired , rest .
- Wear loose, light clothing . Wearing tight clothing can sometimes put pressure on the skin and cause chafing.
Some of these tips can also help with long-term worming.
Preventing chronic hives
It may not be possible to prevent long-term ringworm because your doctor may not be able to pinpoint the exact cause. They may also be part of a larger medical condition that affects your immune system.
When should I see a doctor about hives?
Pinworms can usually go away without treatment. However, see your doctor if:
- If you have worms or swelling for more than a week .
- If the bumps appear infected (red, swollen, filled with pus).
- If you have recurring pinworms (recurring every few months).
- If you have severe itching that makes it so bad that you can't even sleep.
- If you experience symptoms of anaphylaxis (e.g., chest tightness, difficulty breathing, vomiting).
- If the lips or face are swollen .
What questions should I ask my doctor?
If you have pinworms, you can ask your doctor these questions:
- Why did I get pinworms?
- When will worm candy get better ?
- Should I get an allergy test ?
- What steps can I take to prevent future worm infestations?
- What is the best treatment to reduce itching?
- What is the best way to completely eliminate worms?
- Should I be concerned about symptoms of complications ?
How long does it take for hives to get better?
Ringworm usually gets better within a few days to a few weeks . However, long-term ringworm can last much longer. Long-term ringworm can take months, or even longer, to get better.
Is it possible to see hives more often with COVID-19?
Like other infections, skin rashes, including hives, can occur with COVID-19 . Therefore, if you develop hives along with your COVID symptoms, it is a good idea to let your doctor know.
Finally, things to remember (Take-Home Message)
Hives are your body's reaction to a substance it is sensitive to (an allergen). These reactions can be uncomfortable, but most of the time they are not serious. You may have hives alone, hives with hives, or just the hives. Most of the time, these reactions will go away in a day or two. If you have these reactions regularly, talk to your doctor about getting tested to find out what's causing them. Once you know what you're allergic to, you can avoid those things and treat them when you have a reaction.
Chronic hives don't get better in a few weeks. They can take longer. If you don't feel better with treatment, don't forget to inform your doctor about it. Even if you don't know exactly what causes chronic hives, treatment can be successful. Don't worry, you can talk to your doctor about anything and find a solution.
` urticaria, hives, ringworm, allergies, skin diseases, itching, skin rash
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