How to Recognize Hives (Urticaria)
Look for large welts or blotches that are pink and itchy., See if any of the welts have joined together to form a larger lesion., Check to see if your lips and/or eyes are swollen., Pay attention to how long the hives last., Try to “write” on your...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Look for large welts or blotches that are pink and itchy.
This is caused by the production of histamine meant to fight off the allergen attacking your body.
These welts come in different sizes and tend to spread on the different areas of your body.Sometimes they may appear brown or skin-colored.
They normally have a wheal or a linear raised central area surrounded by a red ring or halo.
The wheals appear annular (ring-shaped), round or oval as they enlarge. -
Step 2: See if any of the welts have joined together to form a larger lesion.
Multiple small hives will sometimes join together to form bigger hives.
Pay attention to the progression of your hives to determine if this seems to be happening.
Keep in mind that this is common and the hives will go away in a matter of hours.
If you are unsure if your hives are growing, you can circle one or two with a marker and see if they expand beyond those lines. , If your lips and/or eyes are swollen, then you may be suffering from angioedema.
This condition is related to urticaria, but it affects deeper tissues.
If the cause of your hives is angioedema, then you may also notice:
Welts that are large and thick Pain, redness, and warmth around the welts A swollen or itchy throat or tongue — if you think your tongue or throat are affected, this may be an sign of a more systemic issue, and you should call emergency services right away , Hives have a sudden onset and then go away within a matter of hours.
Even though hives may look severe and frighten you, they should go away without producing any long-lasting effects.
Hives seldom last longer than 24 hours and, in most cases, they may even be gone much sooner.If your hives last longer than 24 hours, consult your doctor, as it could be urticarial vasculitis, an autoimmune disease often confused with simple urticaria or hives. , In some cases, dermatographia may be present along with hives.
Dermatographia is when one “writes” on their skin with their fingernail and the tracing lingers on the skin.
The writing lasts for about 30 minutes in the form of a raised linear lesion.
This cause of this condition is unknown, but some people who suffer from hives may also have dermatographia., Hives usually go away on their own, but if they do not go away within 24 hours, then you should call your doctor.
If you are experiencing any of the following serious symptoms, seek immediate medical attention.Difficulty breathing or swallowing Pain or tightness in your chest Dizziness Wheezing Swelling in your face, especially the tongue and lips , Some people are at a higher risk of developing hives.
Knowing if you are at risk may help you to determine if you are suffering from hives or if it may be something else.
People who are at a higher risk of developing hives include:
Anyone with known allergies People who have had hives before or who have family members who have had hives People with certain medical conditions such as lymphoma, thyroid disease, or lupus , Some people have certain allergic triggers that can cause hives to erupt.
If you only have hives in one area of your body, then it may have been caused by an allergen.Some common contact allergens include insect bites, animal dander, and latex.
Think about what the affected part of your body has come into contact with to determine if an allergen may be to blame.
Some dietary allergens may also cause more widespread hives.
Common allergies that may cause hives include shellfish, nuts, fresh berries, tomatoes, eggs, nuts, chocolate, and milk.If you suspect that you have an allergic trigger that is causing your hives, make an appointment with your doctor to get checked for allergies.
To avoid hives in the future, you will need to avoid your triggers., Hives are a potential side effect for many medications.
If you develop hives and are currently taking a medication, this may be the cause.If hives are mentioned as a potential side effect of a medication that you are taking, call your doctor right away.
Your doctor may decide to try a different medication, but do not stop taking the medication without asking your doctor first.
Treatment for hives includes antihistamines that can cause drowsiness and corticosteroids that can lead to weight gain and elevations in blood glucose levels.
Corticosteroids should never be used for an extended period of time as this can cause serious side effects, such as muscle weakness and increased risk of cataracts and glaucoma. , Environmental and lifestyle factors may also cause hives.
If you have been exposed to excess heat, cold, moisture, sunlight, or some other extreme condition, then this may be to blame for your hives.
Even high levels of stress and excess exercise can cause hives sometimes.Wear loose, light clothing like cotton.
Avoid scratching your skin and avoid known triggers.
Shower using warm or cool water and use a cleanser that is gentle and non-drying. , Although there are no tests to determine whether or not you are suffering from hives, your doctor can perform an allergy test and check to see if there are any other underlying conditions that may be causing the hives.
Make sure that you make an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible to get a thorough checkup and diagnosis. -
Step 3: Check to see if your lips and/or eyes are swollen.
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Step 4: Pay attention to how long the hives last.
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Step 5: Try to “write” on your skin with your finger.
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Step 6: Seek medical attention for serious symptoms.
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Step 7: Determine whether you are at risk.
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Step 8: Consider whether you may have been exposed to an allergen.
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Step 9: Examine the potential side effects of your medications.
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Step 10: Reflect on your environment and lifestyle.
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Step 11: See your doctor to rule out any underlying conditions.
Detailed Guide
This is caused by the production of histamine meant to fight off the allergen attacking your body.
These welts come in different sizes and tend to spread on the different areas of your body.Sometimes they may appear brown or skin-colored.
They normally have a wheal or a linear raised central area surrounded by a red ring or halo.
The wheals appear annular (ring-shaped), round or oval as they enlarge.
Multiple small hives will sometimes join together to form bigger hives.
Pay attention to the progression of your hives to determine if this seems to be happening.
Keep in mind that this is common and the hives will go away in a matter of hours.
If you are unsure if your hives are growing, you can circle one or two with a marker and see if they expand beyond those lines. , If your lips and/or eyes are swollen, then you may be suffering from angioedema.
This condition is related to urticaria, but it affects deeper tissues.
If the cause of your hives is angioedema, then you may also notice:
Welts that are large and thick Pain, redness, and warmth around the welts A swollen or itchy throat or tongue — if you think your tongue or throat are affected, this may be an sign of a more systemic issue, and you should call emergency services right away , Hives have a sudden onset and then go away within a matter of hours.
Even though hives may look severe and frighten you, they should go away without producing any long-lasting effects.
Hives seldom last longer than 24 hours and, in most cases, they may even be gone much sooner.If your hives last longer than 24 hours, consult your doctor, as it could be urticarial vasculitis, an autoimmune disease often confused with simple urticaria or hives. , In some cases, dermatographia may be present along with hives.
Dermatographia is when one “writes” on their skin with their fingernail and the tracing lingers on the skin.
The writing lasts for about 30 minutes in the form of a raised linear lesion.
This cause of this condition is unknown, but some people who suffer from hives may also have dermatographia., Hives usually go away on their own, but if they do not go away within 24 hours, then you should call your doctor.
If you are experiencing any of the following serious symptoms, seek immediate medical attention.Difficulty breathing or swallowing Pain or tightness in your chest Dizziness Wheezing Swelling in your face, especially the tongue and lips , Some people are at a higher risk of developing hives.
Knowing if you are at risk may help you to determine if you are suffering from hives or if it may be something else.
People who are at a higher risk of developing hives include:
Anyone with known allergies People who have had hives before or who have family members who have had hives People with certain medical conditions such as lymphoma, thyroid disease, or lupus , Some people have certain allergic triggers that can cause hives to erupt.
If you only have hives in one area of your body, then it may have been caused by an allergen.Some common contact allergens include insect bites, animal dander, and latex.
Think about what the affected part of your body has come into contact with to determine if an allergen may be to blame.
Some dietary allergens may also cause more widespread hives.
Common allergies that may cause hives include shellfish, nuts, fresh berries, tomatoes, eggs, nuts, chocolate, and milk.If you suspect that you have an allergic trigger that is causing your hives, make an appointment with your doctor to get checked for allergies.
To avoid hives in the future, you will need to avoid your triggers., Hives are a potential side effect for many medications.
If you develop hives and are currently taking a medication, this may be the cause.If hives are mentioned as a potential side effect of a medication that you are taking, call your doctor right away.
Your doctor may decide to try a different medication, but do not stop taking the medication without asking your doctor first.
Treatment for hives includes antihistamines that can cause drowsiness and corticosteroids that can lead to weight gain and elevations in blood glucose levels.
Corticosteroids should never be used for an extended period of time as this can cause serious side effects, such as muscle weakness and increased risk of cataracts and glaucoma. , Environmental and lifestyle factors may also cause hives.
If you have been exposed to excess heat, cold, moisture, sunlight, or some other extreme condition, then this may be to blame for your hives.
Even high levels of stress and excess exercise can cause hives sometimes.Wear loose, light clothing like cotton.
Avoid scratching your skin and avoid known triggers.
Shower using warm or cool water and use a cleanser that is gentle and non-drying. , Although there are no tests to determine whether or not you are suffering from hives, your doctor can perform an allergy test and check to see if there are any other underlying conditions that may be causing the hives.
Make sure that you make an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible to get a thorough checkup and diagnosis.
About the Author
Lori Hughes
Enthusiastic about teaching cooking techniques through clear, step-by-step guides.
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