Hives are bumps that appear on your skin. They can show up anywhere on your body. These hives on skin are also known as urticaria. Hives on skin can be red, they can be pink. They can be the color of your skin. Sometimes hives on skin will disappear within an hour. Times hives on skin will take days to clear. The cure for hives on skin usually depends on what’s causing the hives on skin. You can try some things to help reduce the itching and discomfort from hives on skin.
When you have hives you might notice these things:
- Bumps, on your skin that are raised and itchy
- Red or skin-colored patches
- Bumps that change shape or move around
- Skin that gets pale when you press on it
- Swelling around your eyes or lips
Most of the time hives are not a problem. If your face or your tongue or your throat swells up or you have trouble breathing you need to go see a doctor away.
What Causes Hives?
There are lots of things that can cause hives. Some common causes of hives include:
- Allergies. Some things that can cause hives are food, medicine or insect bites. Hives can be caused by food. They can also be caused by medicine or even insect bites.
- Foods. Some foods, like nuts and eggs and milk and shellfish can cause hives. These foods, like nuts and shellfish, are a problem for some people. They can eat something with nuts or shellfish in it. Then they get hives. Foods, like eggs and milk can also cause hives in some people.
- Medications. Some medicines can cause a reaction and this can lead to those red and itchy hives. Medicines can really cause hives. This is not good, for people who take medicines and then get hives from them.
- Infections. Hives can be caused by infections sometimes.
- Stress. Stress is a problem for people who get hives. Hives can get worse when you are stressed out. Stress can even cause hives to appear in the place.
- Cold temperatures. Changes in temperature, sunlight, pressure or exercise can cause hives.
- Contact triggers. Plants can cause reactions. Chemicals can also cause reactions. Even latex and other substances can cause reactions. These things can lead to hives. The substances, like plants and chemicals can really lead to hives.
- Unknown causes. Sometimes we do not know what causes hives.
How to Treat Hives
If you have hives there are some things you can do to feel better. Antihistamines can really help with the itching and the swelling of the hives. When you have hives, taking Antihistamines is an idea because it can make the hives feel better.
. It is also an idea to avoid things that you know cause hives.
You can also try these things:
- Put a compress on your skin
- Take a bath
- Wear comfortable clothes
- Do not scratch your skin
- Stay away from things that make your hives worse like heat and other things that cause discomfort.
You can go to a pharmacist. They will help you choose an antihistamine.
When Should You See a Doctor?
You should see a doctor if your hives keep coming for more than six weeks or are very bad. You should go see a doctor if the hives are really bothering you and getting in the way of your life.
If you have hives and your face or lips or tongue or throat starts to swell up that is not good. If you have trouble breathing or your chest gets tight or you feel dizzy or like you are going to faint you need to get emergency help away. These things can be signs of a reaction, a reaction, to the hives.
Final Thoughts
Hives are common. Usually they do not last long. If you can figure out what is causing your hives, keep your skin cool and use the treatment you can feel better. If your hives are very bad keep coming or you have trouble breathing or serious swelling you should see a doctor right away. Hives can be a problem. There are things you can do to make them better.
