Chronic Hives – Symptoms and Causes
Understanding Hives
Hives, medically known as urticaria, are itchy skin welts that appear as part of an allergic reaction. When these welts persist for more than six weeks and continue to return over long periods, doctors classify them as chronic hives.
The exact cause of chronic hives often remains unknown. The welts typically begin as itchy patches that develop into swollen bumps of different sizes.
These welts come and go randomly during an outbreak, with each individual welt usually disappearing within 24 hours.
People with chronic hives often experience significant discomfort that can disrupt sleep and everyday activities.
Signs and Symptoms
People with chronic hives may experience these symptoms:
- Clusters of welts appearing anywhere on the body
- Welts that may be red, purple, or match your skin color
- Welts that change in size and shape, appearing and disappearing repeatedly
- Intense itching (pruritus)
- Painful swelling (angioedema) around eyes, cheeks, or lips
- Flare-ups triggered by heat, exercise, or stress
- Symptoms that last longer than six weeks and return frequently, sometimes for months or years
When Medical Attention Is Needed
Visit a healthcare provider if you have severe hives or if your hives persist for more than a few days. A medical professional can help determine the cause and recommend appropriate treatment to manage your symptoms.
Get Immediate Help
While chronic hives don’t typically cause severe allergic reactions, seek emergency medical care if hives appear with signs of anaphylaxis. Watch for dangerous symptoms like:
- Dizziness
- Difficulty breathing
- Swelling of the tongue, lips, mouth, or throat
These symptoms require immediate medical attention as they may indicate a life-threatening allergic reaction.
What Triggers Hives
Hives develop when certain chemicals like histamine are released into your bloodstream by your immune system. For many people with chronic hives, the exact cause remains unknown, and temporary hives can sometimes develop into a long-term condition without clear reasons.
Several factors can trigger these skin reactions. Temperature extremes—both heat and cold—often set off hives in sensitive individuals.
Exposure to sunlight can cause outbreaks in some people. Physical triggers include vibration (from activities like jogging or using lawn equipment) and pressure on the skin from tight clothing.
Underlying health conditions can also cause hives, including:
- Thyroid problems
- Infections
- Allergic reactions
- Certain cancers
Risk Factors
Several health conditions may increase your chance of getting chronic hives:
- Infections
- Thyroid problems
- Allergies
- Cancer
- Vasculitis (swelling of blood vessels)
For most people, chronic hives happen without warning and cannot be easily predicted.
Complications
Chronic hives usually don’t cause serious health risks like anaphylaxis. However, if hives appear during a severe allergic reaction, immediate medical help is needed.
Prevention
Knowing how to prevent hives can save you from uncomfortable flare-ups.
If you’ve identified specific triggers for your hives, make a conscious effort to avoid them completely. This simple step often proves most effective in prevention.
When exposed to potential triggers like pollen or animals, take immediate action.
A quick shower or bath can wash away allergens from your skin. Changing your clothes after such exposure further reduces your risk of developing hives.
