Hives are one of those conditions that can happen for a number of reasons. If you have never had them, you may be wondering when or why someone may start showing hives. It could even be confused for some other skin ailment or concern. Our team at Integrity Urgent Care can easily diagnose hives on our patients and help you understand what the cause may be, working to get you back on track.
Symptoms
Hives are a skin condition when bumps, raised patches, or both appear on the skin. They may appear red or pale, they are often itchy, and could feel swollen, especially depending on where they are on the body. Your skin may feel warm, or you may have a burning sensation. They may appear on a small portion of the body or be spread over most of the skin. Most people, according to theAmerican Academy of Dermatology, have hives in “one or more of these areas: abdomen, back, buttocks, chest, upper arms, upper legs.”
Treatment
Hives appear as a natural defense mechanism from the body. Histamine and other chemicals will release from your body when the immune system detects a threat, like a mosquito bite or bad food, to protect you from becoming seriously ill. Other times, hives will come when there is no threat, like with an allergic reaction. For non-allergic reaction, mild cases of hives, the best treatment is to wait it out. They should go away in a few days. An over-the-counter antihistamine can help as can an anti-itch cream. For more serious, long lasting, or frequent outbreaks, you may want to visit a dermatologist to consider additional medication.
Prevention
Prevention will depend largely on why the hives are appearing. If you have an allergy, you need to minimize your exposure to that allergen. If you have isolated all of your known allergies, you may need to reach out to a doctor to see if a new allergy has developed. Certain diseases, like diabetes, could cause hives so prevention may mean tweaking or adjusting the care you receive for those. Additionally, stress can cause hives, so it is important you are managing yourself care as much as you can.
