Hives: Causes & Treatment| Star Health

What are the Diseases that Cause Hives in Adults?

Chronic Hives, also known as Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria, are often very itchy, raised welts on the skin that can be caused by various factors, including diseases. Knowing the underlying medical conditions that cause hives is essential to treat and manage them effectively. 

Keep reading to learn about the diseases causing hives, their symptoms, treatment procedures, and more!

Common Causes of Hives (Urticaria)

Infections

• Bacterial Infection
• Viral Infection
• Parasitic

Allergies

• To foods (e.g., nuts, shellfish, eggs, milk)
• Medications (e.g., antibiotics, NSAIDs like aspirin and ibuprofen)
• Insect stings
• Latex

Physical Triggers

• Dermatographism (firm stroking of the skin)
• Pressure (from tight clothing, belts)
• Cold temperatures
• Heat
• Sun exposure (solar urticaria)
• Exercise
• Vibration
• Water (aquagenic urticaria)

Autoimmune Conditions

• Autoimmune disorders (e.g., thyroid disease, lupus)
• Chronic illnesses

Other Medical Conditions

• Stress (a very common trigger)
• Alcohol
• Certain food additives and preservatives

What are the Diseases that Cause Hives?

Hives, specifically chronic hives, are often caused by autoimmune diseases like the following:

●  Lupus
●  Diabetes
●  Vitiligo
●  Polymyositis
●  Celiac disease
●  Rheumatoid arthritis
●  Dermatomyositis
●  Thyroid disease

Apart from these, some other diseases also lead to hives in adults. They are as follows:

●  Liver diseases
●  Sinusitis, H. pylori bacterial, and other infections
●  Vasculitis
●  Asthma
●  Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma, etc.

What are the Other Causes of Hives?

Hives are not only caused by diseases but several other factors like the following:

●  Insect bites
●  Pollen
●  Animal dander (specifically cats)
●  Certain medications
●  Certain foods like nuts, milk, shellfish, eggs, fish, etc.

You may also develop hives due to:

●  Extreme sun exposure or cold
● Exposure to water
●  Stress
●  Excessive sweating
●  Exercise, etc.

What are the Symptoms of Hives?

You can identify hives from the following symptoms:

●  Intense itchiness (pruritus)
●  Weals (batches of welts) arising anywhere on the body
●  Purple, red, or skin-coloured welts (colour varies depending on the skin colour)
●  Welts that change shape and size and can fade away or appear repeatedly
●  Angioedema (painful swelling) around your lips, cheeks, or eyes
●  Flares caused due to stress, heat, or exercise

If any of these symptoms persist for six weeks or more and recur at any time, it is essential to contact a healthcare provider.

Are Hives and Chronic Hives the Same?

Hives can be both chronic and acute. Here are the differences between both:

Chronic Hives 

Chronic hives occur when itchy welts appear at least twice a week for over six weeks, sometimes lasting months or even years. The exact cause is often unknown, making it frustrating for many individuals.

Acute Hives

Acute hives typically appear suddenly and begin to fade within 24 hours, although new hives may form. They usually resolve within six weeks and are often triggered by recent viral infections.

What Type of Doctor should I go for Chronic Hives?

Healthcare professional who diagnose and treat chronic hives are following:

• Primary health care physician
• Allergists
• Dermatologists

How to Diagnose Hives?

Doctors can identify hives by simply looking at the affected person's skin in case of acute conditions. They may also suggest an allergy test to identify the cause so that you can avoid the allergens causing the hive. Your healthcare provider may ask for the following allergy tests:

Blood Test

The human body produces antibodies to fight the allergens. However, the overproduction of such allergens can lead to swelling and hives. Doctors conduct blood tests to detect these antibodies.

Skin Test

During a skin test, allergens are tested on a person's skin, and if the skin swells or turns red, that indicates the person is allergic to that particular substance. This test is also called the scratch test or prick test. 

What are the Treatment of Chronic Hives?

In most cases, hives get cured on their own. However, doctors often recommend medicines and at-home care to ensure that the affected person feels better and does not get hives in future. Here are some of the treatment options for hives:

Allergy Shots

For chronic hives that are hard to treat, your doctor may suggest monthly injections to block allergic reactions. People who are prone to severe allergies produce excessive Immunoglobulin E (IgE). Monthly allergy shots block the immune system from producing IgE, protecting you from chronic allergies. 

Medicines for Allergy

Certain medicines, like antihistamines, are used to block the effects of histamine. These medicines help relieve the itching caused by hives and reduce allergic reactions. Antihistamines can be taken both topically and orally. 

Some antihistamines like diphenhydramine (Benadryl®) react quickly. However, doctors will prescribe antihistamines based on the severity of the hives. Daily allergy medicines like fexofenadine (Allegra®), levocetirizine (Xyzal®), loratadine (Claritin®), or cetirizine (Zyrtec®) are also effective.

Epinephrine

Severe allergic reactions like anaphylaxis can be life-threatening. Some of its symptoms are hives, facial swelling, difficulty breathing, wheezing, vomiting, and low blood pressure. 

Immediate treatment with an epinephrine injection (EpiPen®) is crucial to alleviate symptoms and open the airway, as this condition can escalate rapidly and requires urgent medical attention.

Oral Steroids

Hive symptoms that do not respond to topical steroids or antihistamines can be treated using corticosteroids like prednisone (oral steroids).

At-home Treatments

You can wear loose-fitting clothes, take a cool bath or shower, and apply cold compresses to relieve hives. Over-the-counter (OTC) hydrocortisone or antihistamine creams can also help reduce itching and swelling effectively. These methods provide comfort and relief from the symptoms of hives.

Home-Treatments for Chronic hives?

You can try these steps at home to ease itchy skin and soothe inflammation:

• For temporary, localized relief, a low-potency OTC hydrocortisone cream can be applied sparingly. However, this is not a solution for widespread hives. Avoid topical antihistamine creams.
• Use cool compresses only if you have confirmed that cold temperatures are not a trigger for your hives. If you have cold urticaria, this will worsen your condition.
• Take a cool bath or shower
• Use hypoallergenic lotion to moisturize dry skin
• Wear loose clothes of soft fabrics like cotton that won’t irritate your skin

By understanding the diseases that cause hives, you can take proactive steps toward managing the symptoms and improving your overall quality of life.

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