are hives always an allergic reaction?
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Hives are a very common reaction to all kinds of stimuli. While an allergic reaction can be a cause of hives, in the majority of outbreaks, the exact cause of hives is not known. Hives are also known as urticaria. Hives form when a chemical called histamine is released by specialized cells known as mast cells.
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Most people have minor reactions -- a little pain or itching; maybe a welt. If yours is like this, your doctor can tell if you're allergic to bees or wasps with a simple skin test that uses purified, freeze-dried venom. But if you had a severe or anaphylactic reaction, he may do a blood test called a RAST instead.
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Causes. Share on Pinterest Hives are a rash that appears as an allergic reaction. Urticaria occurs when the body reacts to an allergen and releases histamine and other chemicals from under the surface of the skin. The histamine and chemicals cause inflammation and fluid to accumulate under the skin, causing wheals.
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Urticaria (hives) is an acute, localized type I hypersensitivity reaction associated with pruritus. II. Angioedema is similar to urticaria but involves the deeper subcutaneous tissues around the head and extremities, without producing pain or pruritus.
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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.
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Hives, also known as urticaria, are itchy, raised welts that are found on the skin. They are usually red, pink, or flesh-colored, and sometimes they sting or hurt. In most cases, hives are caused by an allergic reaction to a medication or food or a reaction to an irritant in the environment.
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Even though hives are associated with other autoimmune conditions such as thyroid disease, treating the other condition doesn't cure the hives. Rarely, chronic urticaria has been associated with cancer. In most cases of chronic urticaria, the hives will gradually disappear over time.
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Allergic reactions, chemicals in certain foods, insect stings, sunlight exposure, or medications can all cause histamine release. It's often impossible to find out exactly why hives have formed. There are several different types of hives, including: Acute urticaria: Hives lasting less than six weeks.
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6﻿ Hives most often appear in the evening or early morning just after waking. Itching is typically worse at night, often interfering with sleep.
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Hives and the Shingles Rash Are Often Confused Hives are another type of allergic reaction that can be confused with the shingles rash. Hives are red, itchy bumps and swollen areas of varying sizes that can appear anywhere on the body.
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Hives can look like red, raised patches. The rash can also be red spots. Hives can be different sizes and shapes, and appear anywhere on the body in both adults and children. The rash is often itchy and sometimes feels like it's stinging or burning.
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You might get a red rash or hives on your face if you've touched a substance that your body perceives as an allergen. This type of allergic reaction is called contact dermatitis. The allergen can range from poison ivy to a food you've touched or a new brand of laundry detergent.
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Hives, also known as urticaria, is a kind of skin rash with red, raised, itchy bumps. They may also burn or sting. Often the patches of rash move around.
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They're often caused by an allergic reaction to a food or drug. Usually, they go away quickly. For a small number of people, though, hives come back again and again, with no known cause. When new outbreaks happen almost every day for 6 weeks or more, it's called chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU).
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Hives are usually caused by exposure to some substance to which you are allergic. Things that cause hives include environmental allergies, foods such as tree nuts, peanuts, shellfish and medications such as antibiotics or even aspirin or NSAID's. In some, even exposure to the cold can cause hives.
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Signs and symptoms of chronic hives include: Batches of red or skin-colored welts (wheals), which can appear anywhere on the body. Welts that vary in size, change shape, and appear and fade repeatedly as the reaction runs its course. Itching, which may be severe.
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Hives due to allergy more often comes on in sudden discreet attacks after food only. Non-allergic hives can come and go any time of the day, and often occurs overnight or first thing in the morning too.