Identification, Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

Many people think that hives and rashes are the same, but that’s not exactly accurate. Hives are a type of rash, but not every rash is caused by hives.

If you’re concerned about your skin, it’s important to know when a rash is caused by hives and when it might be caused by something else.

In this article, we’ll explore the difference between hives and rashes, plus identify the symptoms, causes, and treatment of each.

Hives characteristics

Hives (urticaria) are raised, itchy bumps that can be large or small in size. They may be red in color or the same color as your skin. They may also come and go quickly or last a long time.

A breakout of hives can occur all over the body or only in one or two localized areas.

Click here to see an image gallery of hives.

Rash characteristics

Rashes are earmarked by changes in the color or texture of the skin. They may or may not have itchy bumps. They may also cause the skin to feel rough and look scaly or cracked.

Unlike hives, rashes don’t always itch. Sometimes, they hurt or make your skin feel irritated, scratchy, or uncomfortable. You may have a rash all over your body or in one or two areas.

Click here to see an image gallery of rashes.

This table provides an overview of the characteristics of hives versus rashes:

Symptoms of hives

Hives are itchy. The itch can be intense or mild, long-lasting or of short duration. Often, the bumps caused by hives will be preceded by itching skin. Other times, the bumps and itching will occur simultaneously.

Hives usually occur in clusters, which can erupt anywhere on the body. Hives may be as tiny as pin dots or much, much larger. Their size and shape can also change.

In some instances, hives may morph together, causing very large, itchy areas of skin. The skin surrounding the area where hives occur may look red, swollen, or irritated.

Hives can come and go quickly. They may also linger or recur for weeks, months, or years.

Causes of hives

Hives can occur when too much histamine is released into the body by the immune system. This often is caused by an allergic reaction.

Allergies are thought to be the major cause of hives. You can get hives if you eat or drink something you’re allergic to or if you come into contact with something in the environment that you’re allergic to.

Additional causes include:

• medications
• external temperatures
• sunlight
• anxiety and nervousness
• certain bacterial or viral infections, such as strep and urinary tract infections

In some instances, it may not be clear what’s causing your hives.

Symptoms of rashes

Skin rashes sometimes look and feel like hives. Other times, no bumps on the skin will form.

Skin rashes can be scaly, red, and raw-looking. They may be dotted with blisters, plaques, or welts. They may also hurt, itch, or make skin feel warm to the touch. Sometimes, the areas of affected skin may also become swollen.

Based on the underlying cause, a rash can occur all over your body or only in one or two spots.

Causes of rashes

Rashes have a wide range of potential causes, including allergic reactions. The causes of rashes include:

• contact dermatitis
• allergic eczema
• psoriasis, and other medical conditions, such as lupus, fifth disease, and impetigo
• bug bites from fleas, bed bugs, and other critters
• viral and bacterial skin infections, such as cellulitis

Hives often disappear on their own. But it’s helpful if you can identify what’s triggering your hives.

If you can avoid exposure to the allergen causing the reaction, your hives will hopefully disappear and not return. Unfortunately, it isn’t always that simple.

If you continue to have hives, there are several at-home treatments you can try to get rid of them. These include:

• taking oral antihistamines
• applying cortisone cream to the area
• applying calamine lotion to the area
• soaking the area with a cool compress of witch hazel
• using a cold water compress on the area
• wearing loose clothing that doesn’t irritate the skin
• avoiding sun exposure

Hives can last for hours, days, weeks, or longer.

Chronic, long-lasting hives may need more aggressive, medical treatment, such as prescription antihistamines, oral corticosteroids, or biologic drugs. Severe cases of hives may require an epinephrine injection.

Rashes can be acute or chronic. If you have a mild rash, at-home treatments such as those used for hives may be effective.

When determining the best treatment for your rash, it’s important to consider the cause. Some possible treatments include:

• soaking in a colloidal oatmeal bath
• applying topical corticosteroids to the area
• taking oral antihistamines
• applying topical retinoids to the area
• applying aloe vera to the area
• taking oral or injected prescription medications

Hives and rashes have many potential causes and are fairly common.

People who are prone to allergies may be more likely to get hives or rashes than those who are not. However, a rash or hives can happen to anyone at any age.

If you have long-term hives or rashes, talking to a doctor such as an allergist or dermatologist may help you uncover their cause and determine the best course of treatment.

Hives or rashes may be the result of an allergic reaction or medical condition that warrants immediate medical treatment.

See a doctor if your skin condition is accompanied by any of these symptoms:

• difficulty breathing
• itching or a feeling of constriction in the throat
• severe pain at the site of the rash
• severe pain in the head, neck, or abdomen
• swelling in the face, eyelids, lips, throat, or extremities
• fever
• dizziness
• confusion
• muscle weakness or sudden lack of coordination
• diarrhea
• vomiting
• rash with open sores or blisters
• rash involving the mouth, eyes, or genitals

Just like adults, infants and toddlers can get hives or a rash. These may be caused by nothing more than a bug bite or exposure to new foods.

However, if your baby has hives or a rash, call their pediatrician to discuss their condition, especially if they have any of the symptoms listed above.

Hives and rashes have a wide range of causes and are very common.

Hives are a type of rash, although not every rash looks like hives. Both skin conditions can be acute or chronic.

It’s important to try to determine the underlying cause of your hives or rash, as this can help you decide on the best treatment. Often, at-home treatments are enough to treat both conditions.

When accompanied by other symptoms, such as trouble breathing, hives and rashes may require immediate medical treatment.

Hives vs. rash: Pictures, differences, and symptoms

Hives are a type of rash that cause itchy welts on the skin. People can tell them apart from other rashes by their smooth, raised appearance and how they usually appear quickly and resolve on their own within 24 hours.

Unlike other rashes, hives generally do not come with dryness, peeling, or flaking. They also do not typically leave lasting marks on the skin.

Hives are not dangerous in themselves, but sometimes, they are the first sign of a severe allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis. A person should call emergency services immediately if someone develops swelling in the mouth and airways, wheezing, or difficulty breathing.

Read on to learn more about the differences between hives versus other rashes.

Hives are a type of rash with a distinctive appearance, causing raised, flat welts on the skin. The welts will usually appear quickly, either in one specific area or across a larger part of the body.

In lighter skin tones, hives are often red. In darker skin tones, they may be red, purple, or a similar color to the rest of the skin. Other characteristics of hives include:

• itchiness
• a bumpy, but not blistered, texture
• blanching, which means the center of the hive loses its color when a person presses it

There are many types of rash, and some have similar symptoms to hives. Here are some examples.

Dermatitis

Dermatitis, or eczema, is inflammation of the skin. It causes a dry, scaly, itchy rash. If the dryness is severe, a person’s skin may crack or bleed.

There are several types of dermatitis, including atopic dermatitis and contact dermatitis. Atopic dermatitis is a chronic condition that often appears in childhood and can last for any length of time. It may come and go over a person’s lifetime.

Similarly to hives, contact dermatitis occurs upon exposure to an allergen or irritant, such as poison ivy. It can also look similar to hives. However, contact dermatitis often lasts longer and may take 14–28 days to resolve. This condition also causes bumps that are more like blisters and may be more painful than itchy.

Heat rash

A heat rash, or miliaria, is a prickly-feeling rash that occurs when a person gets hot. It can develop after being outside in hot weather, after getting sweaty, or when a person has a fever.

The rash itself consists of blocked sweat ducts in the skin, which causes tiny bumps. Heat rash only affects the area where the sweat ducts are blocked — it will not spread.

In some cases, people may have a heat rash as well as heat exhaustion from getting too hot. However, it can also appear on its own. It usually resolves in a few days.

Insect bites

The symptoms of insect bites can vary depending on the insect. However, they often cause a small bump or area of swelling around the bite. It may be red, pink, or flesh-colored.

Many insect bites get better on their own. However, people should seek medical care if the swelling spreads, has visible streaks, or becomes very painful.

People can be allergic to some insect bites. This may cause hives in addition to the bite itself. This is not necessarily a cause for concern, but less commonly, it can be an early sign of anaphylaxis.

Cellulitis

Cellulitis is a skin infection in the deeper layers of the skin. It can become serious if it spreads. The symptoms include:

• an inflamed, swollen area of the skin
• tenderness to the touch
• noticeable warmth
• blistering
• swollen glands

The infection can begin if bacteria get into the skin due to an injury or another type of rash. For example, it may occur as a complication of an insect bite, cut, or broken skin due to eczema.

Cellulitis requires treatment with antibiotics.

A rash may be hives rather than another type of rash if the welts:

• appear shortly after exposure to a trigger
• affect a well-defined area of the skin, although this area may change shape or move around
• do not cause blistering, flaking, or broken skin
• change color when a person presses them or rolls a glass against the skin
• are itchy — although many rashes cause itchiness, not all do

In many cases, hives occur due to an allergic reaction. A person may have an allergy to:

• specific foods
• insect bites or stings
• medications
• pet dander
• pollen or plants
• latex

People can also experience physical hives, which is when pressure, heat, or cold trigger hives. Triggers may include:

• scratching
• rubbing
• constrictive clothing
• changes in temperature
• being too hot
• sun exposure

Sometimes, people develop chronic hives, which persist for at least 6 weeks. Chronic hives may occur alongside an autoimmune disorder, but often, the cause is unclear. It usually gets better on its own over time, but this can take years. On average, the condition lasts 3–5 years.

Acute or short-term hives usually resolve within 24 hours, with or without treatment. People may find it helpful to apply a cool compress to ease itchiness or to take an antihistamine if they have allergies.

If the hives are more severe, a person may need an oral corticosteroid to reduce inflammation. However, if the hives are chronic, they may not respond to the drugs doctors commonly recommend.

Treatment for chronic hives aims to manage symptoms and avoid triggers. A doctor may suggest:

• a second-generation antihistamine
• monoclonal antibodies, such as omalizumab
• ciclosporin, if the previous treatments do not help

A person should speak with a doctor about any unusual or persistent rash that appears without a known cause. Other conditions can look similar to hives and may require treatment.

People should also contact a doctor promptly if a person experiences:

• persistent hives that keep returning
• a rash that is painful or bleeds
• symptoms of infection, such as swollen skin, pus, fever, or feeling generally unwell

A person should call 911 or the number of the nearest emergency department if someone develops:

• a rash that starts suddenly, spreads rapidly, or covers a large area of the body
• a rash following a bite or sting, along with severe pain, twitching, tingling, numbness, or other concerning symptoms
• a rash that does not disappear under a glass, particularly if the person also has:
  • a sudden headache
  • stiff neck
  • sensitivity to light
  • nausea or vomiting
  • confusion or drowsiness

People should call 911 if someone has any symptoms that could indicate anaphylaxis, such as difficulty breathing. People should also seek emergency care if they come into contact with an allergen that previously led to anaphylaxis.

Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that can be life threatening. The symptoms develop suddenly and include:

• hives
• swelling of the face or mouth
• wheezing
• fast, shallow breathing
• a fast heart rate
• clammy skin
• anxiety or confusion
• dizziness
• vomiting
• blue or white lips
• fainting or loss of consciousness

If someone has these symptoms:

1. Check whether they are carrying an epinephrine pen. If they are, follow the instructions on the side of the pen to use it.
2. Dial 911 or the number of the nearest emergency department.
3. Lay the person down from a standing position. If they have vomited, turn them onto their side.
4. Stay with them until the emergency services arrive.

Some people may need more than one epinephrine injection. If the symptoms do not improve in 5–15 minutes, or they come back, use a second pen if the person has one.

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Hives can look and behave differently than other types of rash. They cause flat, raised welts on the skin that can appear and disappear quickly. Unlike other rashes, hives are typically smooth and do not cause dryness, peeling, or flaking.

If a person is unsure what is causing their rash, they should seek advice from a medical professional. Trying to self-diagnose is risky and may mean a person does not get the treatment they need.

People who frequently develop hives, a rash that does not go away, or other concerning symptoms should contact a doctor.

symptoms, what it looks like, causes and treatment in adults and children

Urticaria is an allergic disease, the causes of which in children and adults can be very different. The main symptom of the disease is the appearance on the skin of rashes in the form of blisters, which are very itchy and resemble a nettle burn.

According to statistics, 25% of the entire population of the planet at least once in their life faced with this pathology, mostly children, women under the age of 40 years. With constant contact with the allergen, the disease becomes chronic, and in half of all cases it is accompanied by Quincke’s edema.

Causes of urticaria

Urticaria never develops on its own, there must be a reason for this. In some cases, it is not difficult to identify it, but sometimes it is difficult to do so.

Most often, urticaria in children occurs after the use of certain drugs in the treatment or the consumption of certain foods. The most allergenic for babies are honey, nuts, fish, food additives in foods, spices, sausages, semi-finished products. Therefore, they are not recommended for children under 3 years of age.

Also provoking factors include:

• insect bites;
• the presence of parasites in the body;
• plant pollen;
• mold;
• chemicals, including household chemicals;
• latex;
• ultraviolet;
• vibration.

However, it is not always possible to find out what exactly the patient developed allergic urticaria for. In about a third of all patients with this diagnosis, the causes of the disease, even after numerous tests and analyzes, remain unknown.

Urticaria symptoms

The main manifestation is the appearance on the skin of spots of red or pink color, of various shapes, and blisters, the size of which can reach several centimeters. A slight swelling may appear, which gradually disappears during the day, rarely two.

If the swelling affects the deeper layers of the skin or mucous membranes, angioedema may occur – a life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical attention.

Allergic urticaria rash is always accompanied by unbearable itching, and some patients describe it as an unbearable burning sensation. Violent combing of such areas can lead to infection of the epidermis with a further complication in the form of pustules and wounds.

Minor manifestations of urticaria include:

• headache;
• fever;
• sleep disorder;
• anxiety;
• appetite disturbance.

According to the nature of the course, an allergic disease is divided into two types.

Acute urticaria is the most commonly diagnosed. Blisters and puffiness of the skin with this form appear quite suddenly, sometimes against the background of a person’s well-being. Most often caused by some external causes, food. It also happens after the use of drugs, especially when self-medicating. Symptoms resolve on their own within a few days to a few weeks.

Chronic urticaria is a condition in which symptoms persist for more than 6 weeks from the first skin rash. This variant is characterized by an undulating course, when periods of complete absence of symptoms (recovery) are abruptly replaced by exacerbations with the appearance of a new portion of spots and blisters. This is accompanied by unbearable itching and the rapid development of Quincke’s edema. The elements of the rash that appear can merge with each other, covering more and more new areas of the skin.

Sometimes periods of complete well-being without symptoms can last for a long time – up to 10 years.

Children’s urticaria is an allergic skin disease that most often develops against the background of an already existing exudative diathesis and appears due to foods introduced as complementary foods.

It has been observed that this type of allergy mainly develops in babies who are bottle-fed or eat foods that are not appropriate for their age.

Urticaria complications

It is important to know what urticaria looks like and to be able to properly provide first aid. This will help prevent the development of serious complications that can lead to death.

Urticaria is often accompanied by Quincke’s edema, which is also called angioedema. Its development in the larynx is especially dangerous, as it can compress the trachea and disrupt breathing.

Another serious complication is anaphylactic shock. This is a life-threatening allergic reaction of the immediate type, which occurs when the human body is hypersensitive to a particular allergen. It usually develops upon repeated contact with the allergen and requires immediate medical attention.

Diagnosis of urticaria

Before starting treatment, it is important to understand what exactly a person has such a strong allergic reaction to. Only by removing this provocative factor from habitual life, one can not be afraid that the symptoms of urticaria will appear again, and this is possible even after the correct therapy has been carried out.

Most often, this type of allergy appears on food. It is possible to establish from what exactly the rash appeared by a blood test: the level of IgE antibodies to a mixture of food allergens is detected. First of all, you need to diagnose the presence of an allergic reaction to:

• nuts;
• vegetables and legumes;
• citrus fruits and fruits;
• seafood;
• cereal and sesame flour;
• fruits and gourds;
• infant formula;
• fish;
• meat;
• mushrooms;
• leaf tea;
• goat milk.

In addition to food, allergic manifestations can also be on other substances that surround us in life almost everywhere:

• molds;
• pollen from early flowering trees;
• pollen from late flowering trees;
• weed pollen;
• epithelium of domestic animals;
• house dust;
• house dust mite;
• poultry feather.

To identify the exact type of allergen, allergy tests are carried out for certain foods. It often happens that rashes appear due to seasonings and herbs used in cooking: paprika, cumin, cloves, basil, ginger, tarragon, thyme, marjoram, dill, bay leaf, black pepper, vanilla.

Some fish species may also be allergenic: cod, halibut, mackerel, and squid meat. But sometimes an allergic reaction in the form of hives develops on such familiar products as:

• cucumber;
• apricot;
• cherry;
• tomato;
• plum;
• grapes;
• persimmon;
• carrots;
• beets;
• watermelon.

All tests are carried out only by a specialist laboratory assistant. It is impossible to independently determine the presence of an allergy in the form of urticaria to a particular food or substance. This can be life-threatening, as it is possible to develop not only Quincke’s edema, but also anaphylactic shock.

First aid for urticaria

It is important that allergy medications are always in the home first aid kit, since urticaria in adults, and in a child, too, can appear at any time. Allergy medications can be in the form of drops or tablets. Modern drugs do not cause drowsiness and they have virtually no side effects.

Doctors recommend having Fenistil drops in the home medicine cabinet to eliminate urticaria and itching, which can be used from childhood, Erius tablets, which have a long antihistamine effect after taking, Loratadine, which helps to cope with Quincke’s edema, which often accompanies urticaria.

It is important to take the medicine at the first symptoms, without waiting for the general condition to worsen. If after 20 minutes from the moment of admission there was no improvement, you should call an ambulance.

Urticaria treatment

The only way to get rid of the disease is to avoid contact with the allergen, which is previously detected by laboratory tests. If the testing did not reveal a provocative factor, and the urticaria is episodic, then taking antihistamines will quickly eliminate the symptoms.

During treatment, it is recommended to follow a diet that will help prevent the recurrence of the disease in case of urticaria. The menu should include only hypoallergenic foods: lean boiled meat, soups with secondary meat broth or vegetarian. From cereals it is better to choose rice, buckwheat, oatmeal. Low-fat cottage cheese, natural yogurt, apples, dried fruit compote, with the exception of raisins, whole grain bread are recommended.

Citrus fruits, nuts, fish and all seafood, chocolate products, smoked meats, coffee, eggs, honey, store-bought muffins should be excluded from the menu for the duration of treatment.

Treatment is carried out by a dermatologist and an allergist-immunologist. For topical application, urticaria ointments will be effective, which not only relieve itching, but also eliminate swelling, redness and burning sensation on the skin. One of the most effective is Dimetinden gel, which must be applied in a thin layer to the affected area of ​​the skin up to 4 times a day.

A course of antihistamines is prescribed in the form of tablets. Also, the doctor may prescribe calcium gluconate or calcium chloride preparations for hives. They help to reduce the manifestations of allergies, but they should only be administered under the supervision of a doctor in the treatment room.

If antihistamines do not respond quickly, or for severe urticaria, corticosteroids are used, which can be applied to the skin or taken as a tablet or injection.

How long does it take to cure urticaria

Within 4-6 weeks, acute urticaria disappears in almost all patients with this diagnosis. However, sometimes the acute form can become chronic, and then the disease becomes incurable, with periods of exacerbation and complete remission with no symptoms that alternate.

To cope with this allergic reaction as quickly as possible, it is recommended:

1. Immediately consult a doctor at the clinic or call an ambulance.
2. Follow a hypoallergenic diet for several months.
3. Follow all doctor’s prescriptions and recommendations regarding treatment. Do not stop taking allergy medication at the first sign of improvement, but take the full course.
4. Be sure to have modern antihistamines recommended by an allergist in your first-aid kit.

what causes it and how to relieve itching and redness

Many are familiar with the condition when there are areas on the skin that itch, itch, develop a rash or change color. This condition is called hives and it can appear for a variety of reasons. We figure out what causes urticaria, how to quickly relieve symptoms and what to do so that it does not bother.

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Allergy

hives

The scientific name for urticaria is urticaria. Typical manifestations of urticaria are itchy red or pink spots on the skin, a small rash. Outwardly, skin with urticaria may look like skin after a nettle burn – hence the name. In some cases, they can be quite disturbing and reduce the quality of life. In most cases, hives is a kind of allergic reaction to food, medicines, detergents, and other factors that can affect the skin.

Do not self-medicate! In our articles, we collect the latest scientific data and the opinions of authoritative health experts. But remember: only a doctor can diagnose and prescribe treatment.

Most often, urticaria is a short-term reaction that resolves on its own or is relieved with allergy medications. However, there are also more severe cases of chronic urticaria, when more serious treatment is required.

Why does urticaria occur?

As we said above, urticaria is a manifestation of an allergic reaction, and triggers can be very different. If such a reaction begins to develop in the body, then histamines actively begin to enter the blood, an increase in the concentration of which often causes the same allergy symptoms – itching, swelling, and a rash.

However, urticaria does not always occur in response to an allergen. Sometimes it turns out to be the body’s response to stress, infection, and occurs when wearing tight clothes with coarse seams. There are also cold urticaria, as well as urticaria, which occurs during heat and is the body’s reaction to excess sweat. In addition, there are cases when it is impossible to establish the exact cause of urticaria.

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What does urticaria look like?

The most obvious and noticeable symptom of hives is blisters that appear on the body. They may be red or pink, but may not differ in color from the general skin tone. The size and shape of the areas of urticaria can also be different – they can be small, or they can be quite large. Several urticaria lesions may coalesce, thus increasing in size.

Manifestations of urticaria may disappear and reappear: they may appear for an hour or two, or they may remain throughout the day. You can find them on any part of the body. In the event that urticaria appears on the neck or affects the tongue, you must consult a doctor. The same actions should be taken if not only a rash appears, but also breathing problems.

What is urticaria

Allergy

An allergic reaction is the most common cause of urticaria. Among the factors that cause it: food, animal hair, pollen, dust mites, insect bites, medication.

Temperature urticaria

Itching and blisters may appear in response to changes in temperature. For example, there is cold urticaria, which occurs under the influence of cold air or water. The opposite cases are also known – the symptoms of urticaria appear in the heat or under the influence of sunlight.

Infection

Urticaria can be caused by both viral and bacterial infections. Among the most common diseases that provoke hives: colds, tonsillitis, infectious mononucleosis.

Chronic urticaria

Often it is not possible to determine the cause of chronic urticaria – without obvious causes, typical symptoms of the disease may appear on the skin, which can persist for several weeks, months and even years. Doctors speak of chronic urticaria if the manifestations of urticaria do not go away for at least six weeks.

The appearance of signs may be a symptom of certain diseases. Among them are celiac disease, systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, thyroid problems.

Dermographism

A common form of urticaria in which the skin changes color and swells after minor injury or exposure. The word dermographism itself can be translated as “leather writing”: if you run a blunt object or just nails over the skin of a person prone to dermographism, clearly visible traces will appear on it – in most cases, the condition returns to normal after 30-40 minutes.

What to do with urticaria?

A doctor will help you understand whether you really have experienced urticaria – he will determine for sure whether the changes that have arisen on the skin are really associated with urticaria. The thing is that rashes, blisters and itching can be signs of some infectious diseases that require a completely different treatment than hives.

The simplest treatment a specialist can prescribe:

• taking antihistamines;
• careful attitude to the affected areas and avoidance of irritants;
• refusal to use hot water, which may worsen the condition;
• cool soothing compresses.

What can be done to prevent hives?

You can improve the condition and reduce the chances of developing urticaria if you change your lifestyle a little. It is worth choosing comfortable clothes made from natural materials, if you are prone to skin allergies, choose odorless detergents and washing powder, if possible, avoid eating allergen products.