Why do break out in hives

Those itchy red welts can be brought on by more than just pet dander and pollen. Breaking out in hives , medically known as urticaria, is the worst. Your skin itches all over, you're covered in unsightly red welts, and if that weren't bad enough, it's not always clear what might have triggered them.

What we do know: Hives can appear anywhere on the body, including your face, torso, arms, legs, and even inside your mouth and ears. They may range in size from as tiny as a pencil tip to as large as a dinner plate. Hives typically crop up when you have an allergic reaction to a substance—like pet dander, pollen, or latex—triggering your body to release histamine and other chemicals into your blood.

That's what causes the itching, swelling, and other symptoms. Whether someone falls into the category of acute hives lasting six weeks or less or chronic hives more than six weeks , there are some concrete causes of those pesky red bumps. If you tend to break out in hives after eating shellfish, peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, milk, and berries, then you may have a food allergy, Debra Jaliman, MD, a New York City-based dermatologist and the author of Skin Rules, tells Health.

For some, the culprit is obvious—they'll eat a peanut butter cookie, for example, and immediately break out in a rash. For others, it's not so cut and dry; symptoms can take several hours to develop. Either way, make an appointment with your doctor if you suspect you have a food allergy.

Jaliman says you'll likely be put on an elimination diet where you reintroduce one potentially triggering food every week. After you determine the culprit, nix it from your diet to prevent mild symptoms from becoming chronic. Disclaimer: This article is for information only and should not be used for the diagnosis or treatment of medical conditions. Egton Medical Information Systems Limited has used all reasonable care in compiling the information but make no warranty as to its accuracy. Consult a doctor or other health care professional for diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions.

For details see our conditions. Our picks for What causes our skin to break out in hives? How to care for Black skin during winter It's important to know how to take care of your skin as we head into the colder months. How to care for Black skin during winter. Do any natural remedies really work for acne? When should you worry about skin tags? Does stress make skin problems worse? Suffer from dermatitis? Book a private appointment with a local pharmacist today to discover treatment options Book now.

Read next. How to stop dry skin ruining your winter. Are you protected against flu? Join the discussion on the forums. Health Tools Feeling unwell? Hives also show up on the skin in many sizes. They can be as small as a pinprick, large as a dinner plate, or any size in between.

Regardless of what they look like, hives tend to appear and clear within a few hours. Some people have one flare-up and never get hives again. If you continue to get hives daily or almost every day for six weeks or longer, you have chronic hives. When you have chronic hives, the most effective treatment often depends on the type of the hives you have and your medical history.

Make an appointment to see a board-certified dermatologist, allergist, or primary care doctor. A thorough medical exam can help rule out possible causes, such as an infection or medication, which could be causing your hives. If signs indicate that this may be the cause, medical testing can find or rule out these causes. While medications and medical conditions can cause hives, there are many other causes, including foods, insect bites, and pressure on the skin.

If that happens, your dermatologist can still recommend lifestyle changes and prescribe medication that can help reduce your flare-ups. Keep track of your flare-ups. Some triggers that can cause long-lasting hives are shown below. Take photos of your hives. When your see your dermatologist, you may not have hives. Taking pictures can help your dermatologist make sure you have hives. Other skin conditions can look like hives.

Relieve the itch at home. Itch is common in people who have chronic hives. Here are some ways to get temporary relief: Avoid overheating. Wear loose-fitting, cotton clothes. Apply a cold compress, such as ice cubes wrapped in a washcloth, to the itchy skin several times a day—unless cold triggers your hives. Use anti-itch medication that you can buy without a prescription, such as an antihistamine or calamine lotion.

Prevent dry skin by using a fragrance-free moisturizer several times a day. Stay calm. Stress can trigger hives. If you feel stressed often, healthy ways to reduce your stress include, exercising every day, meditating, and practicing mindfulness.

Know that treatment can be effective when the cause s of your hives remains unknown. Even when you cannot find the cause, treatment can help you clear your skin and prevent new flare-ups. Follow your treatment plan.