Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Are Hives?Preventing SpreadingSeeking Medical Care
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Are Hives?
Preventing Spreading
Seeking Medical Care
If a rash seems to move around your body, it is likely hives.
This article will discuss hive symptoms and treatment. It will also cover when to contact a healthcare provider.
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Hives are an itchy, discolored (a change in skin tone) rash that can be slightly raised off of the skin. It is caused when theimmune systemsees a threat and releases histamine from mast cells and basophils in the dermis of theskin. The released histamine causes dilation of the blood vessels and fluid to leak into the skin. This results in skin discoloration and swelling.
Differences Between Welts and HivesWeltsand hives are the two terms that are often used interchangeably but have slightly different meanings. A welt is a discolored, raised area of the skin that occurs from an injury or as an immune reaction. Hives are made up of welts. Hives are red, itchy welts that are always an immune reaction.
Differences Between Welts and Hives
Weltsand hives are the two terms that are often used interchangeably but have slightly different meanings. A welt is a discolored, raised area of the skin that occurs from an injury or as an immune reaction. Hives are made up of welts. Hives are red, itchy welts that are always an immune reaction.
Triggers
Triggers are substances that cause hives. There are several hive triggers, and someone may develop different triggers or always have the same ones throughout their lifetime. Triggers are either related to allergies or have no relation to allergies. Hives not related to allergies are more common.
Hives that are not related to allergies include:
Hives that are related toallergiesinclude:
Appearance and Sensation
Hives can form on any area of the body at any age. Someone may have one small welt about 1–2 centimeters, or the affected area can be larger, with many welts covering entire areas of their body. Hives can also move around. They may start in one spot, disappear, and then reappear in another area.
Here are all the symptoms that may be experienced with hives:
Other Rashes That Look Like HivesHives are often mistaken for other types of rashes. The redness and itching are common symptoms with many rashes. Rashes that share similar characteristics to hives:Contact dermatitisErythema multiformePolymorphic light eruptionRosaceaEczemaHeat rash
Other Rashes That Look Like Hives
Hives are often mistaken for other types of rashes. The redness and itching are common symptoms with many rashes. Rashes that share similar characteristics to hives:Contact dermatitisErythema multiformePolymorphic light eruptionRosaceaEczemaHeat rash
Hives are often mistaken for other types of rashes. The redness and itching are common symptoms with many rashes. Rashes that share similar characteristics to hives:
How to Keep a Hives Rash From Spreading
To keep hives from spreading it is important to identify and avoid any known triggers. This can prevent future occurrences as well.
Avoid usingaspirin, alcohol, andnonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs(NSAIDs), which can worsen symptoms, and should not be used when someone has hives.Also do not scratch hives, as this can make symptoms worse.
Antihistamines
Antihistaminesare used to block the histamine response and are very useful in treating hives. Over-the-counter medications like Claritin (loratadine) and Zyrtec (cetirizine) are typically nonsedating (not producing sleepinees) when used at prescribed doses.
Topical Treatments
The second type of topical cream is hydrocortisone cream. This is a steroid-based cream that reduces swelling and itching.
A cold compress is a nondrug option to reduce the itchiness and swelling from hives. Ice cubes wrapped in a washcloth can provide some relief.
Steroid Medications
For severe cases of hives, a healthcare provider may prescribe an oral steroid medication calledprednisoneor prednisolone to reduce hiveinflammationand itchiness.
These medications need to be taken as directed, and they should not be stopped without first consulting a healthcare provider.
Light Therapy
Phototherapy, also known as light therapy, can be an effective treatment if someone is not responding to other treatments. It is typically done in a healthcare provider’s office a few times per week for several months.
When to Consult a Healthcare Provider
Hives are generally self-limiting and resolve on their own or with simple home treatments. However, for some people hives can become chronic. Hives that appear every day or almost every day for six weeks or longer are consideredchronic hives.If you have chronic hives, contact your healthcare provider for treatment guidance.
A Word From VerywellIt is possible to treat hives at home with the use of over-the-counter antihistamines. If you are experiencing difficulty breathing or swallowing in association with hives, it is important to call 911 and seek medical attention.—MARISA GARSHICK, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
A Word From Verywell
It is possible to treat hives at home with the use of over-the-counter antihistamines. If you are experiencing difficulty breathing or swallowing in association with hives, it is important to call 911 and seek medical attention.—MARISA GARSHICK, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
It is possible to treat hives at home with the use of over-the-counter antihistamines. If you are experiencing difficulty breathing or swallowing in association with hives, it is important to call 911 and seek medical attention.
—MARISA GARSHICK, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
Summary
10 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Nationwide Children’s.Hives.Schaefer P.Acute and chronic urticaria: evaluation and treatment.afp. 2017;95(11):717-724.RxList.Definition of welt.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Hives: signs and symptoms.Center for Allergy & Asthma.Is it hives or something else?Matos AL, Figueiredo C, Gonçalo M.Differential diagnosis of urticarial lesions.Front Allergy. 2022;3:808543. doi:10.3389%2Ffalgy.2022.808543American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology.Hives.Joy N.Calamine lotion.JSSTD. 2022;4:83-86. doi:10.25259/JSSTD_77_2021National Health Services.Steroids.American Academy of Dermatology Associations.10 ways to get relief from chronic hives.
10 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Nationwide Children’s.Hives.Schaefer P.Acute and chronic urticaria: evaluation and treatment.afp. 2017;95(11):717-724.RxList.Definition of welt.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Hives: signs and symptoms.Center for Allergy & Asthma.Is it hives or something else?Matos AL, Figueiredo C, Gonçalo M.Differential diagnosis of urticarial lesions.Front Allergy. 2022;3:808543. doi:10.3389%2Ffalgy.2022.808543American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology.Hives.Joy N.Calamine lotion.JSSTD. 2022;4:83-86. doi:10.25259/JSSTD_77_2021National Health Services.Steroids.American Academy of Dermatology Associations.10 ways to get relief from chronic hives.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Nationwide Children’s.Hives.Schaefer P.Acute and chronic urticaria: evaluation and treatment.afp. 2017;95(11):717-724.RxList.Definition of welt.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Hives: signs and symptoms.Center for Allergy & Asthma.Is it hives or something else?Matos AL, Figueiredo C, Gonçalo M.Differential diagnosis of urticarial lesions.Front Allergy. 2022;3:808543. doi:10.3389%2Ffalgy.2022.808543American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology.Hives.Joy N.Calamine lotion.JSSTD. 2022;4:83-86. doi:10.25259/JSSTD_77_2021National Health Services.Steroids.American Academy of Dermatology Associations.10 ways to get relief from chronic hives.
Nationwide Children’s.Hives.
Schaefer P.Acute and chronic urticaria: evaluation and treatment.afp. 2017;95(11):717-724.
RxList.Definition of welt.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Hives: signs and symptoms.
Center for Allergy & Asthma.Is it hives or something else?
Matos AL, Figueiredo C, Gonçalo M.Differential diagnosis of urticarial lesions.Front Allergy. 2022;3:808543. doi:10.3389%2Ffalgy.2022.808543
American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology.Hives.
Joy N.Calamine lotion.JSSTD. 2022;4:83-86. doi:10.25259/JSSTD_77_2021
National Health Services.Steroids.
American Academy of Dermatology Associations.10 ways to get relief from chronic hives.
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