Chronic Hives

Skin reactions, known as hives or urticaria, cause raised, itchy welts on the skin. These welts can appear on any skin tone.

Hives are basically itchy, raised bumps or welts. Sometimes, these welts are just slightly raised and red, and sometimes they're more noticeably swollen and puffy. They can be different sizes, too. The medical term for hives is urticaria (pronounced ur-tih-KAR-e-uh).

These hives often come and go. A single hive bump usually only lasts for less than a day (around 24 hours). But if the hives keep coming back for more than six weeks, it's called chronic urticaria. This means the hives return frequently, sometimes for months or even years. In many cases, the exact reason for chronic hives is unknown.

The itchy feeling is a key symptom. The hives can be annoying and uncomfortable, sometimes making it hard to sleep or do everyday things. Fortunately, many people find relief from taking anti-itch medications, often called antihistamines. These medications can help reduce the itching and swelling.

Chronic hives are a skin condition that causes raised, itchy welts (also called hives or wheals). These welts can appear anywhere on the body and come in different colors depending on your skin tone – they might be red, purple, or even the same color as your skin. They often change shape and size, and they come and go repeatedly.

A key symptom is intense itching, sometimes called pruritus. Sometimes, the hives also cause swelling, especially around the eyes, cheeks, or lips. This swelling is called angioedema.

Triggers for chronic hives can include heat, exercise, or stress. The problem is that these symptoms can last for more than six weeks and often return, sometimes for months or even years. It's important to get medical advice if you have hives that are severe or last longer than a few days.

Chronic hives themselves are not usually a life-threatening emergency. They don't typically put you at risk for a sudden, severe allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. However, if you experience hives with other symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, such as dizziness, trouble breathing, or swelling of your tongue, lips, mouth, or throat, seek immediate medical attention. This is a medical emergency.

If you have hives that are severe or last longer than a few days, see a doctor.

While chronic hives (hives that last a long time) don't usually mean you're in immediate danger of a serious allergic reaction (called anaphylaxis), it's important to get checked out. If you think you're having an allergic reaction that's getting worse, or if you have any signs of anaphylaxis, get emergency help right away. Signs of anaphylaxis can include feeling lightheaded or dizzy, trouble breathing, and swelling of your tongue, lips, mouth, or throat.

Hives, those itchy raised bumps on the skin, are caused by your body's immune system releasing certain chemicals, like histamine, into your blood. Sometimes, hives are short-lived, and other times they become a long-lasting problem. Doctors don't always know exactly why this happens. However, there are several things that can trigger hives:

• Changes in temperature: Exposure to heat or cold can sometimes cause a hive reaction.
• Sunlight: Sunlight can also be a trigger.
• Physical activity: Activities like jogging or using a lawnmower, which create vibrations, may be a cause.
• Pressure on the skin: Wearing tight clothing, for example, a tight waistband, can press on the skin and lead to hives.
• Underlying health conditions: Certain medical problems, including thyroid issues, infections, allergies, and even cancer, can sometimes cause chronic hives.

It's important to remember that this is not an exhaustive list. Many different things can cause hives, and if you're experiencing hives regularly, it's a good idea to see a doctor for diagnosis and treatment.

Chronic hives are often unpredictable. However, some people have a higher chance of developing chronic hives if they have certain health problems. These problems can include infections, thyroid issues, allergies, cancer, or a condition called vasculitis, where the blood vessels become inflamed.

Chronic hives, also known as hives that last a long time, don't typically mean you're going to have a sudden, serious allergic reaction called anaphylaxis right away. However, if you experience hives along with other symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, get immediate medical help. These more serious symptoms can include feeling lightheaded or dizzy, having trouble breathing, and swelling in your tongue, lips, mouth, or throat.

To reduce your chances of getting hives, try these simple self-care steps:

• Identify and avoid triggers: If you know what causes your hives, do your best to stay away from it. For example, if you've had hives after eating peanuts, try to avoid peanuts. If you know a particular type of plant causes a reaction, avoid contact with it.

• Cleanse and change: If you've had hives from things like pollen or pet dander, wash your skin and change your clothes as soon as possible after exposure. Taking a bath or shower can help remove pollen, pet hair, or other allergens from your skin. Changing clothes removes any lingering allergens that might still be stuck on your clothing.

Doctors diagnose chronic hives by talking to you about your symptoms and examining your skin. A key characteristic of chronic hives is that the raised, itchy welts (hives) appear and disappear unpredictably. Each individual hive usually lasts less than a day.

To help figure out the cause, you might keep a record (a diary) of:

• Your daily activities: What were you doing when the hives appeared?
• Medications, herbs, and supplements: Are you taking anything new or different around the time of the hives?
• Your diet: What foods and drinks did you consume before the hives?
• Where the hives appear: Are they concentrated in certain areas? How long does it take for a hive to go away? Does it leave a mark or discoloration (like a bruise)?
• Any pain or swelling: Are the hives accompanied by painful swelling?

Your doctor might also order blood tests to identify any underlying conditions that could be causing the hives. Knowing the cause is important to create the right treatment plan.

In some cases, to be extra sure of the diagnosis, a skin biopsy might be needed. A skin biopsy is a minor procedure where a small piece of skin is removed and sent to a lab for testing. This helps the doctor confirm the diagnosis and develop the most effective treatment.