In hives, there are spots or swellings (blisters) on the skin that appear quickly and usually disappear within a day.
They can keep popping up in new places over the next few days and weeks.
Despite the fact that the itching can be strong, there are no scratch marks on the skin.
The skin will not peel either.
Once the rash has cleared, the skin looks normal.
Hives are also known as urticaria.
The reason is that immune cells in the leather secrete various chemical substances, the most important of which is histamine.
The substances attach to the itch nerves in the skin and cause fluid to leak from the blood vessels to the skin.
The typical thing about hives is therefore that it itches and that there is a flat, red swelling in the skin.
The rashes often have a slightly odd shape and are not always round or oval.
Medicines, infections or allergies can trigger hives.
Other times, heat, pressure against the skin or substances on the skin (food, nettle) can cause hives.
Often it is not possible to find any cause.
Hives are very rarely dangerous.
Fortunately, there are several treatments that are effective.
Antihistamines (allergy tablets) will often reduce the symptoms.
This is because such drugs prevent immune cells from excreting histamine.
It is common to use one or more tablets per day over a longer period of time.
Other treatment options are immunosuppressive tablets, montelukast, omalizumab (syringes) or medical light therapy (UV-B rays).
Approximately one in five people will have hives during their lifetime.
In a few, it can last for several years and can cause great distress.
In most cases, the symptoms will disappear after a few days or weeks.
Our dermatologists help people of all ages, from newborns to the elderly, with everything from simple skin changes to serious conditions.
Our dermatologists help people of all ages, from newborns to the elderly, with everything from simple skin changes to serious conditions.
