Learn About Hives

What is the definition of Hives?

Hives are raised, often itchy, red bumps (welts) on the surface of the skin. They can be an allergic reaction to food or medicine. They can also appear without cause.

What are the alternative names for Hives?

Urticaria - hives; Wheals

What are the causes of Hives?

When you have an allergic reaction to a substance, your body releases histamine and other chemicals into the blood. This causes itching, swelling, and other symptoms. Hives are a common reaction. People with other allergies, such as hay fever, often get hives.

Angioedema is swelling of the deeper tissue that sometimes occurs with hives. Like hives, angioedema can occur on any part of the body. When it occurs around the mouth or throat, the symptoms can be severe, including airway blockage.

Many substances can trigger hives, including:

  • Animal dander (especially cats)
  • Insect bites
  • Medicines
  • Pollen
  • Shellfish, fish, nuts, eggs, milk, and other foods

Hives may also develop as a result of:

  • Emotional stress
  • Extreme cold or sun exposure
  • Excessive perspiration
  • Illness, including lupus, other autoimmune diseases, and leukemia
  • Infections such as mononucleosis
  • Exercise
  • Exposure to water

Often, the cause of hives is not known.

What are the symptoms of Hives?

Symptoms of hives may include any of the following:

  • Itching.
  • Swelling of the surface of the skin into red- or skin-colored welts (called wheals) with clearly defined edges.
  • Wheals may get bigger, spread, and join together to form larger areas of flat, raised skin.
  • Wheals often change shape, disappear, and reappear within minutes or hours. It is unusual for a wheal to last more than 48 hours.
  • Dermatographism, or skin writing, is a type of hives. It is caused by pressure on the skin and results in immediate hives in the area that has been pressed on or scratched.
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What are the current treatments for Hives?

Treatment may not be needed if the hives are mild. They may disappear on their own. To reduce itching and swelling:

  • Do not take hot baths or showers.
  • Do not wear tight-fitting clothing, which can irritate the area.
  • Your provider may suggest that you take an antihistamine such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl) or cetirizine (Zyrtec). Follow your provider's instructions or the package instructions about how to take the medicine.
  • Other oral prescription medicines may be needed, especially if the hives are chronic (long-lasting).

If your reaction is severe, especially if the swelling involves your throat, you may need an emergency shot of epinephrine (adrenaline) or steroids. Hives in the throat can block your airway, making it difficult to breathe.

Who are the top Hives Local Doctors?
Family Medicine
Family Medicine

The Curators Of The University Of Missouri

551 E Southampton Dr, Urgent Care, 
Columbia, MO 
 9.6 mi
Accepting New Patients

Erika Ringdahl is a Family Medicine provider in Columbia, Missouri. Dr. Ringdahl has been practicing medicine for over 36 years and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Hives. Her top areas of expertise are Systemic Sclerosis (SSc), Scleroma, Scleroderma, and Mondor Disease. Dr. Ringdahl is currently accepting new patients.

Dermatology
Dermatology

The Curators Of The University Of Missouri

1020 Hitt St, 
Columbia, MO 
 11.9 mi
Accepting New Patients

Kari Martin is a Dermatologist in Columbia, Missouri. Dr. Martin and is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Hives. Her top areas of expertise are Contact Dermatitis, Hidradenitis Suppurativa, Actinic Keratosis, and Warts. Dr. Martin is currently accepting new patients.

 
 
 
 
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The Curators Of The University Of Missouri

1020 Hitt St, 
Columbia, MO 
 11.9 mi
Accepting New Patients

Susan Zurowski is a Dermatologist in Columbia, Missouri. Dr. Zurowski and is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Hives. Her top areas of expertise are Actinic Keratosis, Warts, Seborrheic Keratosis, and Rosacea. Dr. Zurowski is currently accepting new patients.

What is the outlook (prognosis) for Hives?

Hives may be uncomfortable, but they are usually harmless and disappear on their own.

When the condition lasts longer than 6 weeks, it is called chronic hives. Usually no cause can be found. Most chronic hives resolve on their own in less than 1 year.

What are the possible complications of Hives?

Complications of hives may include:

  • Anaphylaxis (a life-threatening, whole-body allergic reaction that causes breathing difficulty)
  • Swelling in the throat can lead to life-threatening airway blockage
When should I contact a medical professional for Hives?

Call 911 or the local emergency number if you have:

  • Fainting
  • Shortness of breath
  • Tightness in your throat
  • Tongue or face swelling
  • Wheezing

Call your provider if the hives are severe, uncomfortable, and do not respond to self-care measures.

How do I prevent Hives?

To help prevent hives, avoid exposure to substances that give you allergic reactions.

What are the latest Hives Clinical Trials?
A Real-world, Prospective, Multicenter Study of Safety and Effectiveness of Xolair® (Omalizumab) in the Treatment of Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria (CSU) in Chinese Adolescents Inadequately Controlled With H1 Antihistamines

Summary: This non-interventional, multi-center, prospective post-approval study aims to provide safety and effectiveness data of Xolair® in Chinese adolescents with Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria who remain symptomatic despite H1 antihistamine treatment. The study period is 16 weeks which contains a 12-week treatment period and 4-week safety follow-up.

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Phase 2a Open-Label Basket Study to Evaluate Safety and Pharmacokinetics of INF904, an Oral C5aR1 Inhibitor, in Subjects With Moderate to Severe Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria or Hidradenitis Suppurativa

Summary: The study duration for an individual subject includes screening (14 days), the treatment period (28 days) and the observational follow-up period of 28 days, in total 70 days ± 6 days. All subjects will receive IMP for 28 days followed by one End of Study (EOS) visit, 4 weeks after EOT visit.

Who are the sources who wrote this article ?

Published Date: May 31, 2023
Published By: Ramin Fathi, MD, FAAD, Director, Phoenix Surgical Dermatology Group, Phoenix, AZ. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

What are the references for this article ?

Dinulos JGH. Urticaria, angioedema, and pruritus. In: Dinulos JGH, ed. Habif's Clinical Dermatology. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 6.

James WD, Elston DM, Treat JR, Rosenbach MA, Neuhaus IM. Erythema and urticaria. In: James WD, Elston DM, Treat JR, Rosenbach MA, Neuhaus IM, eds. Andrews' Diseases of the Skin: Clinical Dermatology. 13th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 7.