What are the key symptoms of hives. How can you distinguish hives from other similar skin conditions. What triggers hives and how are they diagnosed. What are the most effective treatments for managing hives in both adults and children.

Identifying Hives: Key Characteristics and Symptoms

Hives, medically known as urticaria, are a common skin condition characterized by raised, itchy welts on the skin. These welts can vary significantly in size and shape, ranging from small, pen-tip sized bumps to large, dinner plate-sized patches. The appearance of hives can be alarming, often resembling mosquito bites or other insect stings.

Do hives always itch? While itching is a common symptom, hives can also cause burning or stinging sensations. The intensity of these sensations can vary from mild to severe, potentially causing significant discomfort for those affected.

One unique characteristic of hives is their transient nature. Individual welts typically appear and disappear within 24 hours, though new ones may form as others fade. This cycle can continue for days or even weeks in some cases.

Visual Characteristics of Hives

• Red or pale-colored welts on the skin
• Clear, defined edges around the welts
• Welts that blanch (turn white) when pressed in the center
• Varying sizes and shapes of welts
• Welts that can appear anywhere on the body

Can hives spread to different parts of the body? Yes, hives can appear in clusters or as individual welts and may spread to various areas of the body. Some individuals may experience recurring hives in the same location, often due to a specific trigger.

Differentiating Hives from Other Skin Conditions

Given their resemblance to other skin issues, hives can sometimes be mistaken for different conditions. Understanding the unique characteristics of hives can help in differentiating them from other skin problems.

Common Skin Conditions Often Confused with Hives

1. Angioedema: Deep tissue swelling, often accompanied by swollen lips, eyelids, or extremities
2. Eczema: Characterized by severe itching, fluid-filled bumps, and red to brownish-gray patches
3. Bug bites: Unlike hives, these remain in a fixed location
4. Rosacea: Typically appears as facial redness with visible blood vessels
5. Heat rash: Occurs in hot, humid conditions, often in areas where sweat gets trapped
6. Contact dermatitis: A skin reaction from direct contact with an allergen, often lasting 2-4 weeks

How can you tell if it’s hives or another skin condition? One key differentiator is the duration and movement of the welts. Hives typically clear up within hours and reappear elsewhere, while other skin issues tend to persist in the same location for days.

Triggers and Causes of Hives

Hives can be triggered by a wide range of factors, making it sometimes challenging to identify the exact cause. Understanding common triggers can help in managing and preventing hive outbreaks.

Common Triggers for Hives

• Allergic reactions to foods, medications, or insect stings
• Physical stimuli such as pressure, cold, heat, or sunlight
• Infections or illnesses
• Stress or emotional factors
• Certain medical conditions
• Exercise or sweating

Is stress a direct cause of hives? While stress can contribute to hive outbreaks, it’s not typically considered a direct cause. Stress may lower the body’s threshold for reacting to other triggers, making hives more likely to occur.

Diagnosis and Evaluation of Hives

Diagnosing hives often begins with a visual examination and a thorough medical history. In some cases, additional tests may be necessary to identify underlying causes or rule out other conditions.

Diagnostic Approaches for Hives

1. Physical examination
2. Detailed patient history
3. Blood tests to check for underlying conditions
4. Skin prick tests for allergies
5. Skin biopsy (in rare cases)

When should you see a doctor for hives? While many cases of hives can be managed at home, it’s important to seek medical attention if you experience symptoms such as difficulty breathing, swelling of the throat or tongue, or if hives persist for more than six weeks.

Treatment Options for Hives

The treatment of hives focuses on managing symptoms and identifying potential triggers. For many individuals, over-the-counter remedies can provide relief, while others may require prescription medications.

Common Treatments for Hives

• Antihistamines
• Corticosteroids (for severe cases)
• Cool compresses
• Avoiding known triggers
• Wearing loose, comfortable clothing
• Oatmeal baths

Are there any natural remedies for hives? Some individuals find relief from natural remedies such as applying aloe vera, taking lukewarm baths with colloidal oatmeal, or using chamomile tea compresses. However, it’s important to consult with a healthcare provider before trying any new treatments.

Managing Chronic Hives

Chronic hives, defined as hives that persist for more than six weeks, can significantly impact an individual’s quality of life. Managing chronic hives often requires a comprehensive approach and may involve long-term treatment strategies.

Strategies for Managing Chronic Hives

1. Identifying and avoiding triggers
2. Regular use of antihistamines
3. Immunosuppressant medications (in some cases)
4. Lifestyle modifications
5. Stress management techniques
6. Regular follow-ups with a healthcare provider

Can chronic hives be cured? While there is no definitive cure for chronic hives, many individuals find that their symptoms improve or resolve over time with proper management and treatment.

Hives in Children: Special Considerations

Hives are common in children and can be particularly distressing for both the child and their caregivers. While many aspects of hives in children are similar to those in adults, there are some special considerations to keep in mind.

Managing Hives in Pediatric Patients

• Age-appropriate dosing of medications
• Identifying potential triggers in the child’s environment
• Educating children about avoiding scratching
• Monitoring for signs of more serious allergic reactions
• Addressing psychological impacts of chronic hives

Are hives in children more likely to be acute or chronic? Most cases of hives in children are acute and resolve within a few days to weeks. However, chronic hives can occur in children and may require long-term management strategies.

Complications and When to Seek Emergency Care

While hives are generally not life-threatening, they can sometimes be associated with more serious allergic reactions. It’s crucial to be aware of the signs that indicate a need for immediate medical attention.

Warning Signs Requiring Emergency Care

1. Difficulty breathing or swallowing
2. Swelling of the throat, tongue, or lips
3. Dizziness or fainting
4. Rapid pulse
5. Nausea or vomiting

What is anaphylaxis and how is it related to hives? Anaphylaxis is a severe, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction that can occur alongside hives. It requires immediate emergency treatment, typically with epinephrine.

Understanding hives, their symptoms, and management strategies is crucial for anyone affected by this common skin condition. While hives can be uncomfortable and sometimes alarming, most cases can be effectively managed with proper care and treatment. By recognizing the signs of hives, differentiating them from other skin conditions, and knowing when to seek medical attention, individuals can better navigate this often perplexing skin issue. Remember, if you’re experiencing persistent or severe symptoms, it’s always best to consult with a healthcare professional for personalized advice and treatment.

Hives Symptoms: What They Look Like

What Are the Symptoms of Hives?

“Hives are characterized by red or pale-colored welts on the skin, which typically come and go throughout the day,” says Sourab Choudhury, DO, a dermatologist and the chief medical officer at the Dermatology Specialists, a private dermatology practice in New York City. “Sometimes they itch, burn, or sting.”

Usually the welts will be surrounded by clear edges. They may look similar to bug bites, but hives generally will appear and disappear more quickly. They may itch, sometimes severely, and they’re not always the same size or shape. They may be as small as the tip of a pen or as large as a dinner plate. (4) When you press the center of a hive bump on the skin, it likely will turn from red to white, which is known as blanching. (2,3)

Hives may appear on the body grouped together and take over a large area of the skin, or as a couple of individual welts that show up here and there. (4) They can appear anywhere on the body, though some people get them in the same spot over and over again (usually as a result of a specific trigger). (4)

Generally, you’ll know you have hives simply by seeing the hives themselves. If you experience other symptoms, such as swelling in the eyes, lips, or inside of the throat, or if you have trouble breathing, you should call 911 or see a doctor immediately, says Sapna Palep, MD, a dermatologist at Spring Street Dermatology in New York City. These symptoms indicate you may be experiencing a serious allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. (5)

How to Know It’s Hives and Not One of These Other Skin Problems

“To the untrained eye, hives can have a similar appearance to other common skin conditions,” Dr. Choudhury says. He says one way to tell the difference is by how quickly the welts clear up.

“Hives will usually have an area of skin that welts up, goes away in a few hours, and then reappears somewhere else,” he says. Other skin issues that are often mistaken for hives tend to last for more than one day in the same location, he explains.

Also, check out the welts up close. “If the welts are filled with clear fluid, pus, or are brownish in color, it is likely not hives,” says Dr. Palep.

Hives are often mistaken for the following skin issues:

• Angioedema is swelling of tissue deep in the skin. It’s usually caused by an allergic reaction, certain medicines, or a genetic disposition. Generally, angioedema is accompanied by swollen lips, eyelids, hands, throat, or feet, trouble breathing, and cramps. (3)
• Eczema (atopic dermatitis) is common among children but can affect adults, too. Severe itchiness (especially at night), fluid-filled bumps, and red to brownish-gray patches indicate eczema rather than hives. (6)
• Bug bites may resemble hives in looks, but hives tend to behave differently. Hives may change shape and move around the body, whereas a bug bite stays in the same place. (3)
• Rosacea usually appears as redness on the face where swollen blood vessels become visible. It’s most common among middle-aged women with fair skin. The bumps look like acne and may contain pus, which hives generally do not. (7)
• Heat rash (also known as prickly heat or miliaria), as the name suggests, typically appears in hot and humid weather. Like hives, heat rash will appear as red bumps on the skin, though heat rash among adults generally occurs in areas where sweat gets trapped, such as in the armpit area, elbow creases, and the groin. (8)
• Contact dermatitis is a skin reaction that results from direct contact with something you’re allergic to, such as soap, jewelry, or a plant. The rash may be accompanied by blisters and typically lasts between two and four weeks, whereas hives will come and go within 24 hours. (9)

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Hives – Better Health Channel

Summary

Read the full fact sheet

• Hives (urticaria) are skin rashes characterised by reddened and raised circular wheals (lumps).
• In most cases hives are not due to allergy and can be treated with a non-drowsy antihistamine.

About hives

Hives (urticaria)External Link are common skin rashes characterised by one or many wheals (lumps) of reddened, raised and itching skin. The wheals can vary in size, from relatively small to as large as a dinner plate. The wheals may be circular, oval or annular (ring-shaped).

Hives can affect any part of the body, but is common on the torso, throat, arms and legs. The wheals generally appear in clusters, with one cluster getting worse as another gets better.

Most wheals disappear without a trace within a few hours, only to be replaced by a new one elsewhere on the skin. Wheals that persist in exactly the same spot for more than 24 hours may indicate a different disorder known as urticarial vasculitis.

In acute (short-lived) hives, the wheals may come and go for a few days or weeks. In rare cases of chronic hives, wheals may persist for more than 6 weeks. The wheals come and go for months or even years.

It is thought that around one in every 6 people will experience an attack of acute hives at some point in their lives. In most people this is not due to allergy.

Mast cells and histamines

Underneath the lining of the skin, gut, lungs, nose and eyes are mast cells. These are designed to kill worms and parasites.

Mast cells contain chemicals including histamine. When these are released into the skin in small amounts, they cause itching and irritation. When large amounts are released into the skin, fluid leaks out of blood vessels, resulting in swelling of the skin (hives).

Occasionally, hives produce swelling without an itch.

Symptoms of hives

Symptoms of hives include:

• raised circular wheals that look like mosquito bites – these are red on the outer rim and white in the centre, and each wheal lasts for around 2 to 4 hours (rarely up to 24 hours). Wheals appear in batches or clusters, and as one batch fades away a new batch appears
• localised itching
• with acute urticaria, the rash may last for days or weeks
• with chronic hives, the rash may persist for months to years, occasionally decades.

Causes of hives

In 80% of cases the cause of hives is unknown. Some factors known to cause hives include:

• medication – such as antibiotics, aspirin and codeine
• allergic reactions to foods
• some food additives
• infections – including bacterial, viral or parasitic
• respiratory infections (particularly in young children)
• certain underlying conditions – such as systemic lupus erythematosus, rubella and hepatitis
• emotional stress
• contact with plants or animals
• heat
• cold temperatures
• exercise and sweating
• bee and wasp stings.

In chronic hives, it is rare to find a cause, although aspirin and codeine may aggravate it.

Treatment for hives

If a trigger is identified and it is possible to avoid that trigger, then the hives will resolve. Where no trigger is found, or the trigger cannot be avoided, treatment may include:

• avoidance of factors that make the condition worse – such as aspirin, codeine, sunshine, heat and hot showers
• antihistamines – some people require 2, 3 or even 4 tablets a day to control hives. These are available from pharmacies without prescription. Some antihistamines cause drowsiness.

For chronic hives, there are a number of other medications that can be prescribed.

Where to get help

• Your GP (doctor)
• Dermatologist
• Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA)External Link – Locate a specialistExternal Link

• Hives (urticaria)External Link, Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA).

This page has been produced in consultation with and approved
by:

Pimples like mosquito bites: causes

Contents

• 1 Causes
  • 1.1 Allergic reaction
  • 1.2 Urticaria
  • 1.3 Rubella and pimples 900 08
  • 1.4 Measles acne
• 2 When should I see a doctor?
• 3 Diagnosis
• 4 How to get rid of acne?

Pimples spread throughout the body due to viruses, infections and allergies. Visually, they resemble mosquito bites. Diseases are accompanied by itching, hyperthermia and weakness. Self-medication is strictly contraindicated. Therapy is carried out after a thorough examination by a dermatologist. Medications are prescribed depending on the specific type of disease. Often acne should be smeared with antiseptics to get rid of inflammation.

Causes of appearance

Rashes that look like mosquito bites can appear both from diseases and insect bites.

Similar problems are diagnosed in winter. Sometimes such acne appears from allergies due to the negative influence of food, household chemicals or the environment. When the bites of parasites become the cause, acne occurs on the legs. If pimples are combined with small bruises, then these are signs of violations of the vascular system. Such pimples on the body often appear after injuries. The main causes of acne like mosquitoes are:

• Infections:
  • measles;
  • roseola;
  • chickenpox;
  • molluscum contagiosum;
  • meningococcal sepsis;
  • rubella;
  • scarlet fever.
• Eating disorders;
• Prickly heat.
• Rubella.
• Bites.
  • fleas;
  • bed bugs;
  • pliers.

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Allergic reaction

Often such pimples indicate an allergy to food products.

Pimples often appear after eating the following foods:

• chocolate;
• citrus fruits;
• milk;
• honey;
• seafood.

Long-term medication can also be a problem. Eruptions jump up on the body. The spots are of different sizes and randomly scattered over the skin. Pimples that look like mosquito bites are itchy and the skin is flaky. Allergy is characterized by a rapid pace of development. Allergy rashes often go away after taking antihistamine medications.

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Urticaria

This is a special type of allergy. As an irritant, household chemicals, artificial clothes, medicines, metals, cosmetics, dust particles, wool and litter that are in the air act. The pimple resembles oblong bites. Symptoms of this disease include weakness, itching. The blisters are pale pink in color. Some patients confuse them with nettle burns or blood-sucking insect bites.

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Rubella and pimples

This infectious disease is more common in children. A week before the onset of acne, patients develop conjunctivitis and symptoms of acute respiratory viral infections: head spasms, fever, redness of the throat mucosa. Inflamed and enlarged lymph nodes are palpable. The spots spread all over the body. Such a disease is especially dangerous for women during pregnancy, since rubella adversely affects the health of the child.

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Pimples with measles

The first manifestations of measles are also small rash and fever.

At first the skin becomes covered with a rash. At first, pimples in the form of bites are red, then they turn brown. At the first stage of the disease, they develop only on the face, after which they spread to the rest of the body and to the mucous membrane. Five days after the onset of the rash, the temperature rises sharply to 40 degrees. Such signs of the disease are accompanied by a runny nose, itching and coughing.

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When should I see a doctor?

Many patients do not immediately go for a consultation with a specialist, but try to decide on their own. Although multiple acne indicates serious violations. Self-medication can lead to negative consequences. Many decide to visit a doctor only after acne has spread throughout the body, a temperature has appeared. From constant itching, patients comb acne, which causes wounds and ulcers.

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Diagnosis

Examination is carried out by a dermatologist. The doctor performs palpation and visually assesses the size and area of ​​the body affected by rashes. Listens to the patient’s complaints. For a more accurate determination of the disease, a blood and mucous analysis is performed. After that, treatment is prescribed, which depends on the type of disease.

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How to get rid of pimples?

If pimples like a mosquito bite appeared due to allergies, then the body needs to be cleansed. For this, sorbents are prescribed. Ointments are applied to the body, which remove inflammation. To remove prickly heat, you must carefully observe the rules of hygiene. In addition, it is recommended to wear clothes made from natural materials. After parasites, the rash is treated with antiseptics. Doctors prescribe antihistamines for pimples that itch. To avoid such cases, it is better not to walk barefoot on the grass. So there is less chance that some unknown insect will bite your legs.

Dermatologists usually prescribe classic medicines for rashes:

• Fenistil and Elidel for dermatitis;
• “Eplan”, “Pantoderm”, “Suprastin” for allergies;
• Zovirax, Acyclovir against viruses.

When spots occur during infection, the underlying disease is treated. For therapy, antibiotics and antiseptics (peroxide, potassium permanganate, brilliant green) are used to treat the affected skin. To remove rubella, glucocorticoid drugs, Chloroquine or Heparin, are used. Measles should be treated with anti-inflammatory and antipyretic tablets. Be sure to prescribe medications to maintain the immune system.

Mosquito bite rash

Skin infections, especially those with a diagnostic sign of rashes, are one of the most common reasons young children go to the doctor. Adults also suffer from this skin problem; however, most of them choose self-diagnosis and self-treatment. Identifying a rash is never an easy task, and it’s even more difficult because one type of mosquito bite-like rash can have different causes and relatively common symptoms.

Pay attention to aspects of the rash

Allergic reactions to food, viruses, metals, bacteria and other skin irritants can cause skin rashes similar to mosquito bites. In most cases, the rash does not indicate a dangerous condition, but in some rare cases it does. When you find a rash, spend as much time as possible paying attention to how the rash looks. Pay attention to how long it has been present, how widespread it is, whether it itches or not, how big and how many spots you have.

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The role of histamine

The lining of the skin contains many mast cells that are designed to attack and destroy parasites. These cells carry sacs filled with chemicals, including a protein called histamine. When an allergic reaction occurs in the body caused by an allergen, the body releases histamine. Once in the bloodstream, the fluid leaks out of the blood vessels, accumulates in the skin, and causes a rash. Thus, itching, swelling and irritation.

Urticaria

Urticaria is a skin disease similar to mosquito bites.

What they look like: Medically, urticaria is smooth, raised, with pink to reddish bumps or wheals that can vary in size. They may also be ring, oval or circle shaped with a pale center and a red halo or flare on the outer edge. The redness of the spots may disappear and turn pale with pressure. Wheat also disappears within minutes or hours and is replaced by newly formed ones. As a rule, bulging bumps appear in groups, covering the whole body or part of it, accompanied by very intense itching.

What causes them: According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, hives are often associated with medications and food allergies. Very common triggers are allergic reactions to pollen, pet dander, or seafood. There are many causes of irritating skin allergies, and some of them have unexpected triggers.

• Training or exercise: Many people think that a rise in body temperature causes hives. But what actually causes hives is your own sweat.

• Cold temperatures: Cold climates can exacerbate the disease in some people. This includes other causes associated with a cold, such as swimming pools or eating chilled food.

• Infection Response: Researchers have found that several bacterial and viral infections, including tooth decay, have a role in the development of hives.

• Stress: High levels of cortisol (stress hormone) are associated with chronic urticaria and may exacerbate them.

• Sunlight and heat. Although hives are rare, some people get hives after sudden sun exposure. This happens if you were indoors in winter. Your body may suddenly explode and a red, itchy rash will appear on his body. It can also appear in areas that have been covered for several months and then exposed to sunlight abruptly.

Home remedies: The first step is to discover your potential triggers. They must be avoided to prevent hives. Healthy eating habits can reduce the chance of hives. Cool oatmeal baths can also relieve an itchy rash. After bathing, apply topical medications, such as calamine lotion or 1% hydrocortisone cream, to the affected area to relieve itching.

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Applying an ice pack to the rash also provides relief. Also, cut your nails short to avoid scratching the rashes. Wear loose clothing to prevent further irritation of the affected skin. Over-the-counter medications such as oral antihistamines are also the preferred choice for blocking the release of histamine (a compound that causes allergic symptoms).

When to see a doctor: If your hives do not go away after home treatment and you have other serious symptoms, such as swelling of the lips and difficulty breathing, go to the emergency room right away. Also, for rashes that are accidentally scratched and have caused an infection due to an open wound, see a doctor.

Heat rash (heat rash)

Heat rash is a condition that causes a rash with bumps on the skin.

What it looks like: Heat rash, also known as prickly heat or sweat rash, is a common condition in humid or hot weather. Heat rash is very similar to hives. It shows red, itchy, raised bumps on the skin. Unlike urticaria, which affects any age group and is widespread, heat rash is smaller and more common in children. It usually appears in places where sweat accumulates, such as the neck, upper chest, or elbow creases.

What causes it: As a rule, skin rash is mainly caused by blockage of the sweat ducts in summer or hot weather. For example, a child who is overdressed under the scorching sun may develop a heat rash. Heavy use of creams also contributes to clogged pores during exercise.

Home remedies: Heat rashes usually resolve within a couple of days after air drying. Loosening and removing clothing will also help. Allow the skin to cool while monitoring the temperature. Stay in air-conditioned rooms or use cold compresses. Other treatment options for heat rash include applying calamine or hydrocortisone creams to soothe the rash. It is also important to avoid other lotions as they can aggravate the irritation of your sensitive skin.

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When to See a Doctor: An increase in heat rash within three to four days is reason enough to seek advice. Immediate medical attention is needed for severe itching and rashes with pus and swelling.

Irritant contact dermatitis

Irritant contact dermatitis may cause a mosquito bite-like rash.

What it looks like: In addition to allergic reaction rashes, a more common type of contact dermatitis is irritant contact dermatitis. At first glance, it can be confused with beehives as it shares most of its characteristics. It starts with a red rash and bumps followed by itchy dry skin. During a hypersensitivity reaction, raised papules form on the skin in the affected areas. A flaky rash may also appear. However, its distribution differs from hives. This type of contact dermatitis affects areas that are only exposed to irritants.

What causes it: The main cause is repeated contact with an irritant that rubs against the skin and damages the surface of the skin. It is caused by a reaction to certain substances, such as detergents, perfumes, cosmetics, soaps, metal jewelry, deodorant, or other personal care products.

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Home remedies: Avoid anything that causes symptoms. Avoid strong substances that can irritate the skin. The constant friction of clothing fabric makes your skin more susceptible to injury, so choose cotton material over bulky fabrics because they are less irritating. Treat the area with hydrocortisone or anti-itch cream and then take a dose of antihistamines. A moist compress can be applied to relieve mild to moderate symptoms.

When to see a doctor: Severe symptoms, such as painful and widespread rashes, require a doctor’s consultation. See an allergist and get a patch test if you can’t pinpoint the cause of the rash. Also, if the rash begins to interfere with your daily activities and causes a lack of sleep, seek medical attention.