Simply put, what are hives?
Hives are a rash of small, red, raised bumps or large welts that appear suddenly on our skin. They come on very quickly and sometimes go away just as quickly. These welts are sometimes accompanied by swelling in certain areas of the body. Especially in areas like the lips, eyelids, ears, mouth, hands, feet, and genitals. We call this swelling 'angioedema' . This is another condition that can occur with hives.Why do we get hives?
It is difficult to pinpoint a single cause for hives. Sometimes, no cause can be found. But generally speaking, the main cause is the release of a chemical called 'Histamine' from the cells in our body. This histamine causes fluid to leak from the blood vessels in the skin, causing the welts and swelling. Hives can be divided into several main types. Let's see what they are.| Type of Hives | Main reasons and description |
|---|---|
| Short-term hives (Acute Urticaria) | These last less than 6 weeks. This is the most common type. Causes: Foods (cashews, peanuts, fish, tomatoes, eggs, milk), certain medications (e.g., painkillers like aspirin, ibuprofen, some high blood pressure medications), insect bites, and various infections. |
| Chronic Urticaria | These last for more than 6 weeks. Often, it is very difficult to find a cause for this. In some cases, an underlying medical condition such as thyroid disease, hepatitis, other infections, or cancer can be the main causes. |
| Physical Urticaria (Hives caused by physical stimuli) | These occur when the skin is exposed to external stimuli, such as cold, heat, sunlight, shock, pressure, sweating, or exercise. They usually only appear where the stimulus occurred. |
| Dermatographism | This is also a type of physical hives. Imagine, you're scratching your skin a little too hard with a fingernail or something. If the bumps appear along the scratched area, that's what this condition is called. |
| Stress Hives | When you are under a lot of stress, your body releases chemicals that cause inflammation in your skin. This can also cause hives. |
Do small babies get hives too?
Yes, absolutely. Just like adults, babies can get hives. The causes are largely the same. Babies can get hives due to things like an infection, a reaction to a medication, a food allergy, or an insect bite.What exactly are the symptoms of hives?
If you develop hives, you may notice these symptoms:- The appearance of raised lesions or rashes of various sizes on the skin.
- These spots are red, but this red color may be less visible to someone with darker skin.
- The itching is unbearable, especially at night.
- These spots are not permanent in one place. They can disappear in one place and reappear in another within a few minutes or hours.
Hives and contact dermatitis are two different things. Contact dermatitis is a painful or itchy rash that occurs when something you are allergic to (e.g., certain metals or chemicals ) comes into contact with your skin. However, sometimes both conditions can occur together.
- Face, eyelashes, ears, mouth, hands, feet andSwelling of the genitals .
- Sometimes only one side of the body is swollen.
- Feeling discomfort or pain in the swollen areas.
How does a doctor diagnose and treat this?
When you go to see a doctor, he will ask you a lot of questions because finding the cause of the hives is the most important thing.- What have you eaten or drunk recently?
- Are there any new medications used?
- Did you get bitten by insects?
- Do you have any other illnesses?
Treatment
The best treatment is to find the cause and get away from it . But that's not always easy.- Antihistamines: These are the main types of medication given to control symptoms. It is very important to take these at the right time, as prescribed by your doctor. This will help prevent new flare-ups.
- For long-term hives: When regular antihistamines are not controlled, your doctor may prescribe oral steroids or specific medications such as Omalizumab .
- For emergencies and severe cases: In some severe allergic reactions, an injection of epinephrine or cortisone may be required.
What can you do at home to get relief when you have hives?
Until the sores heal, try these things to relieve itching:- Apply cool compresses to the affected areas with a cool, damp cloth .
- Try to stay in a room as cool as possible.
- Wear loose, light clothing that is not tight against the skin.
When should you see a doctor immediately?
This is very important! If you have any of the symptoms below along with hives, it could be an emergency (Anaphylaxis). So go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) immediately.
- Dizziness
- Wheezing
- Difficulty breathing
- Chest tightness
- Swelling of the tongue, lips, or face
Take-Home Message
- Hives are a type of skin rash that appears suddenly and is very itchy. They can disappear within a few minutes or a few days.
- Things like food, medication, and insect bites can cause this , and sometimes no cause can be found.
- The main treatment is antihistamines. Always use them as prescribed by your doctor.
- If you have symptoms like difficulty breathing, swelling of the face or tongue, or dizziness, it is an emergency. Go to a hospital's Emergency Department (ETU) immediately.
- If you are in doubt about any rash on your skin, be sure to see your doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment.
👩🏽⚕️ Additional questions (FAQs)
💬 What are hives?
Hives are red, itchy, swollen bumps that suddenly appear on our skin. Most often, these hives are caused by an allergy to a food, medicine, or something in the environment.
💬 What are the main causes of hives?
An insect bite, certain foods like peanuts or seafood, changes in climate (extreme cold or heat), and for some people, mental stress can also cause this sudden onset.
💬 How do you quickly reduce body aches like this?
These spots usually go away on their own within a few hours. However, if there is severe itching, taking an antihistamine (such as Piritan or Cetirizine) as prescribed by a doctor can help reduce the itching quickly.
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