Are Hives a Health Concern?

People develop hives for a variety of reasons. 

In most cases, they’re a sign your body is having an allergic reaction. However, they can also develop for less obvious reasons, from infections or illness to extreme temperatures and emotional strain. It’s even possible to have this uncomfortable problem without an obvious cause.

Since hives can indicate so many things, the team at Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology Associates recommends seeing an expert to determine their cause. It’s also crucial to learn to recognize when hives require immediate medical care.

Hives basics

Because hives often appear because of an allergic reaction, common triggers include:

• Pollen 
• Animal dander
• Insect bites or stings
• Foods like eggs, milk, nuts, and shellfish
• Certain medications

However, hives can also develop from environmental stimuli, such as sunlight, changes in air temperature, and exercise.

Regardless of the cause, hives can surface as a single welt or several. They can even disappear from one area and reappear elsewhere on your body within minutes, hours, days, months, or years.

When hives become a health concern

Hives can vary significantly from person to person but often include:

• Red- or skin-colored welts
• Itching
• Swelling under the skin
• A center that pales when pressed
• Changes shape, disappears, and reappears

While these symptoms are incredibly uncomfortable and cause for concern, another potential issue can indicate a far more dangerous problem: anaphylaxis.

When hives are associated with anaphylaxis, they’re often widespread over the body and include additional symptoms, like swelling of the eyes, lips, face, and throat.

Anaphylaxis is a serious problem and indicates a whole-body allergic reaction. Not only can it cause problems breathing, but this systemic reaction can stop your heart.

If you have hives spreading across your body or additional symptoms associated with anaphylaxis, it’s essential to seek emergency care immediately.

Other times to seek emergency care

In many cases, hives that put your health and life at risk develop quickly — typically within 30 minutes of exposure to the allergen. However, in very rare cases, they can also take several hours.

Our team suggests seeking emergency care for hives when they occur with these symptoms:

• Widespread skin reactions
• Swelling in the face, mouth, or throat
• Low blood pressure or weakened pulse
• Diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting
• Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting

If you have ongoing issues with hives that don’t include life-threatening symptoms, our team can help.

In most cases, living with hives includes identifying the triggers and using a combination of lifestyle modifications and medications to prevent outbreaks.

We can also provide treatment strategies if you have a severe or life-threatening allergy. 

In these situations, the best step often involves carrying an epinephrine auto-injector. However, immunotherapy can also be highly effective, depending on your allergy.

Do you have hives? Our team can get to the bottom of their cause and outline your best course moving forward.

Contact Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology Associates by phone or book online to schedule a consultation in Tampa or Brandon, Florida, today.