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

I reason hives tin be then surprising is that they can be caused by many things you might non wait including stress and exercise. Most of these unexpected causes for hives aren't serious, only some are a sign it's a good idea to make a medical appointment.

Read on for more information about reasons y'all may take hives.

Hives are an itchy reaction on your peel. They happen when a chemic called histamine is released in your body.

They can announced anywhere on your body and can exist tiny pinprick-sized bumps or big raised areas that cover an entire limb. Hives frequently appear red or pink on white or light pare. People with darker skin might have hives that are slightly lighter or slightly darker than the peel surrounding them.

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

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

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

Hives are likewise called urticaria. Sometimes, the crusade of hives is obvious. For example, you might accept an immediate reaction to something y'all're allergic to such as pollen or pet dander. However, the crusade isn't always articulate. Hives can be sudden and surprising and seem to not accept a cause.

Hives are a very common skin reaction that can come from some unexpected sources. Some causes you might not have 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 often appear most the finish of your cold or virus equally you're starting to feel better. They're most common in children just can happen to anyone.
  • Bacterial infections. Bacterial infections such equally strep throat or urinary tract infections can besides sometimes trigger hives as your body reacts to the bacteria. These hives will fade as the antibiotics assist your torso fight the infection. They might pare before healing completely.
  • Chronic conditions such as lupus. Hives that terminal for longer than half dozen weeks might be a sign of an autoimmune condition such every bit lupus, blazon 1 diabetes, thyroid disease, or rheumatoid arthritis. These hives won't go away on their own. It's a good thought to brand a medical appointment to get this type of hive checked out and run into if a chronic status is the cause.
  • Stress. Stress can enhance your internal trunk temperature and release adrenalin and other chemicals that might trigger hives. Stress hives tend to exist located on the confront, neck, chest, and arms. They're common in people with eczema, allergies, or sensitive skin.
  • Temperature changes. Suddenly encountering hot or cold, such as stepping into a steamy shower or entering a swimming pool, tin can cause histamine to release and hives to form. Hives that form in response to temperature are called cold urticaria. A red and itchy area of skin often forms around these hives.
  • Tight clothing. Tight clothing can crusade friction that leads to irritation and to hives. Clothes that sit close to your pare can likewise push any leaner on your pare surface into your pores and hair follicles.
  • Exercise. A chemical called acetylcholine is released in your body when you exercise can affect your skin cells and cause irritation and hives. Exercise hives are known every bit practice-induced urticaria. Some people accept additional symptoms along with hives such every bit shortness of breath, headache, flushing, and stomach cramps.
  • Inflammation of blood vessels. An inflammation of your blood vessels known as vasculitis can cause painful hives. They can leave a bruise on your skin and last for several days. Vasculitis is a serious medical condition that requires treatment past 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 exist the starting time sign of a medical emergency called anaphylaxis. Other symptoms of anaphylaxis include shortness of breath, wheezing, vomiting, and loss of consciousness.

Hives tin can be a sign of a serious allergic reaction that needs emergency medical emergency attention. Information technology's important to accept action if yous hives forth with any of these symptoms:

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

If you are experiencing whatsoever of these symptoms, call 911.

A md may prescribe yous an epinephrine injector, such equally an EpiPen, for future allergic reactions. They'll teach you how to utilise it and answer any questions you might take. You'll go on your epinephrine injector on hand and use it if you develop hives in the time to come.

You'll yet need to visit the emergency room after you apply your epinephrine injector, simply information technology can cease anaphylaxis from becoming mortiferous.

A doctor tin can diagnose hives and assist you find the cause. They might recommend you keep a nutrient diary to detect out if there is any link between food and your hives.

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

You lot might also have a skin biopsy, specially if your allergist suspects vasculitis causing your hives. Hives that have lasted for longer than vi weeks will likely necessitate testing for underlying chronic weather condition.

Sometimes, a specific cause isn't found. In this case, your hives will be diagnosed every bit idiopathic urticaria. The word "idiopathic" means unknown. In this instance, your md will still exist able to assistance you with a handling plan, only you won't be able to tell what to avoid to prevent hives in the time to come.

Handling for hives will depend on the severity of your hives and on the cause. For instance, yous'll need to avoid the cause of your hives if it has been plant.

Your doctor will piece of work with you to discover the right treatment for you. Common options include:

  • Antihistamines. Both over-the-counter and prescription antihistamines block histamine and can treat hives. Y'all might find that sure antihistamines are more effective for you lot than others. Sometimes a combination of antihistamines is recommended.
  • Anti-itch lotions. Lotions to calm downwards itching and redness can provide relief from hives and prevent scratching.
  • Antibiotics. Hives that are linked to bacterial infections can be treated with antibiotics
  • Corticosteroids. Corticosteroids tin can be taken on a short-term basis to help with astringent cases of hives.

Read more about hives treatment options.

Hives can sometimes exist surprising and take no obvious cause. There are actually a wide diversity of things that can cause hives, including stress, colds, practise, and temperature changes. Chronic hives tin can point to an underlying condition such equally lupus.

An allergist tin assistance you lot determine the crusade of your hives and showtime treatment.