Content

• Steps
• Part 1 of 2: Recognizing the Symptoms
• Part 2 of 2: Causes and Risk Factors

Hives leaves red spots of various sizes on the skin (from a penny to a dinner plate!) The peculiarity of this disease is that spots can appear completely suddenly, spread throughout the body and just as suddenly disappear the next day. Most often, these spots itch a lot, and in some cases they even hurt. Usually, these sensations are accompanied by a burning sensation. Urticaria is a fairly common condition, affecting almost 20% of the population. So, see the first step to determine the symptoms of hives.

Steps

Part 1 of 2: Recognizing the Symptoms

1. 1 Take a close look at your skin for scars or red spots that cause itching and burning. The reason for this phenomenon is the production of histamine by our body, which fights against allergic reactions in the body. Scars come in different sizes and spread throughout the body.
   • Sometimes the scars can take on a brownish or beige tint. They are usually accompanied by blisters or red, ring-shaped patches. Ring-shaped spots are small and round at first, but over time they begin to grow and take on an oval shape.
2. 2 Look closely for swelling on your skin. This symptom (as well as others) is caused by the production of histamine. The swelling is also accompanied by burning and itching. However, remember that sunburn can be the cause of the itching.
   • If instead of itching, you feel severe burning pain, see your doctor right away, as it may not be urticaria, but urticarial vasculitis.
3. 3 Observe when symptoms occur and when they go away. Hives come on suddenly and progress very quickly. At first, redness and slight swelling of the skin can cause a lot of panic and noise, but soon these spots will quickly and suddenly disappear. Hives rarely last longer than 24 hours, and most often the spots disappear within 6 hours.
   • If urticaria (the second name for urticaria) does not go away within 24 hours, see your doctor, because, as mentioned above, it may turn out that this is urticarial vasculitis - a complex autoimmune disease that is often confused with simple urticaria.
4. 4 Pay attention to where the spots appear. They do not appear in any particular area, but all over the skin. They are mainly located throughout the body, but in some area there may be a little more of them. Sometimes spots move from one area to another. Remember that spots appear on multiple areas of the skin.
   • Remember that hives, which appear from insect bites, cold weather, or contact with allergens, are limited to only a specific area - this fact will help determine the problem. Quincke's edema usually appears on the lips, eyelids, tongue and larynx, and in very rare cases, even in the gastrointestinal tract.
     • Quincke's edema is similar in symptoms to urticaria, but the main difference is that this condition lasts much longer.
5. 5 If you experience any of the symptoms listed below, talk to your doctor about whether immediate medical attention is needed.
   • Hives don't go away within 24 hours
   • The urticaria is accompanied by a fever or sharp burning pain
   • Strange rash spots
   • Swelling of the larynx along with symptoms of hives (this can lead to difficulty breathing and blockage of the airways).

Part 2 of 2: Causes and Risk Factors

1. 1 If you are at risk, you need to know about it as early as possible and keep the following information in mind. Hives are often caused by extreme stress, too tight and tight clothing, and persistent sweating. This often applies to the following groups of people:
   • People who have experienced allergies more than once
   • People who often take certain medications, the composition of which they usually have no idea about (or do not know about an allergy to any of the components of this medication).
   • People with weak immune systems (cancer patients, people with HIV or AIDS) or people who are susceptible to infections.
   • People whose relatives have experienced urticaria or similar conditions: angioedema, lupus, lymphoma and other types of thyroid diseases.
2. 2 Know if you are prone to dermatological problems. This will help distinguish hives from cuts, scrapes, rashes, and other skin lesions. One of the most common types of urticaria is pseudo urticaria, which is not an allergic reaction. It is accompanied by the appearance of a rash and small scars on the skin. It is believed that this condition develops in 5% of the population.
   • Usually, pseudo-urticaria goes away on its own and does not require treatment. However, if the condition starts to progress or makes you uncomfortable, your doctor may prescribe antihistamines.
3. 3 Know if you are susceptible to solar urticaria. If the hives are accompanied by scarring on the nose and arms, chances are that you have erythropoietic protoporphyria, the underlying systemic disorder. Only a doctor can confirm this diagnosis.
   • This is a chronic condition. Symptoms may disappear for a while with antihistamines, phototherapy, or photochemotherapy.
4. 4 There is a possibility that your condition is so-called "cold" urticaria. In other words, it is a consequence of the effect of cold on the skin. Usually cold urticaria is accompanied by symptoms of wheezing and fainting in addition to the usual symptoms.
   • This type of urticaria is treated with antihistamines, Cyproheptadine or Doxeprin.
5. 5 Be aware that normal exercise, warmth, or violent emotions may be the cause. Heat-induced hives usually resolve within 1 hour. Some people develop hives, shortness of breath, or low blood pressure as soon as 30 minutes after starting vigorous activity. For some people, hives are caused by stress or too much emotion. Maybe your hives have the same reasons?
6. 6 Be aware that hives can be caused by food or drug allergies. Eggs, shellfish, soy, and nuts are the most common foods that cause hives. It could be an allergy to a food that causes a hypersensitive immune response in the body.
   • Remember that drugs (Aspirin, sulfonamides, Ibuprofen) can lead to an allergic reaction. Hives are a mild form of these allergic reactions. In case you suffer from some kind of drug allergy, you must write this down in your medical records and mention it when consulting your doctor.