Hives: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment &
What are the symptoms of acute hives?
Hives look different depending on the person and the situation. They can show up anywhere on your body. Signs of acute hives include:
What are the symptoms of chronic hives?In many respects, chronic hives and acute hives may look alike: they can be itchy, swollen raised welts that turn lighter in the center and with pressure. However, chronic hives can:
Shift sizes and shapes.
Appear, disappear and then reappear at least every few days for long periods of time, even months or years.
Happen along with heat, exercise or stress.
What causes hives?Causes of acute hivesAcute hives are often an allergic reaction to something you put into your body, like food, drink or medication, or something that you touch. The skin has immune cells called mast cells. When these cells go into action, they release chemicals, including one called histamine. Histamine is the reason that hives form.
You can also get hives for a variety of other reasons. Some of these include having an infection, stress or physical pressure on your skin. It’s not uncommon for healthcare providers to be unable to determine exactly what caused your hives.
Causes of chronic hivesUnlike acute hives, chronic hives aren’t usually caused by allergies. They may be caused by infections from bacteria or viruses, or as a result of other medical conditions like lupus. Your provider may not discover an exact cause. In these cases, chronic hives are said to be idiopathic or spontaneous.
Chronic hives do last for long periods of time but usually aren’t permanent. They can be uncomfortable, but they aren’t life-threatening.
Are hives contagious?Unlike some other skin conditions, hives aren’t contagious. But if you develop hives because your skin is exposed to secretions from a plant like poison ivy, you can spread the allergenic plant product to others until you wash it off your skin.