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Customer question:

What are hives? Anonymous customer's question

Pharmacist's answer:

Hives, also known as urticaria, is a common skin disorder characterized by itchy rashes or swellings. These rashes can appear on different body parts and take many forms, from small spots to larger areas of swelling.

The disease is often allergic or immunological but can be triggered by various other factors, including infections, stress, heat or cold stimuli, and certain medications. Symptoms of hives can be very uncomfortable and include itching, burning, swelling, and sometimes pain. In most cases, the symptoms disappear within a few hours or days, but the disease may sometimes recur or even become chronic, requiring professional medical treatment.

Treatment depends on the cause and severity of symptoms and may include the use of antihistamines, corticosteroids, other medications, and lifestyle and dietary changes. It is also important to avoid triggering factors that can make symptoms worse. Even though hives are not life-threatening, they can significantly affect an individual's quality of life and require appropriate treatment and symptom management.

Are hives contagious?

Hives, more commonly known as urticaria, are not a contagious disease. They are a skin disorder that usually occurs as a body response to various triggers such as allergens, stress, infections, or certain medications. Symptoms of urticaria, such as itchy rashes or swelling on the skin, are not transmitted by contact with other people. Nevertheless, urticaria can be aggravated by external factors such as heat, cold, or pressure, but it is not transmitted from person to person.

What causes hives on the skin?

Hives on the skin are caused by a complex set of factors that may include allergens, immunological reactions, environmental stimuli, stress, certain medications, or diseases. The leading causes of urticaria include:

• Allergens: Many allergens, such as food (e.g., nuts, dairy products, fish), animal dander, dust mites, pollen, insects, and latex, can trigger an allergic reaction and cause hives in sensitive people.

• Immune reactions: the immune system can react to various stimuli or triggers, releasing histamine and other molecules that cause skin inflammation and itching.

• Environmental factors, such as temperature extremes, sunlight, water, pressure on the skin, or friction, can trigger hives in some people.

• Stress: Emotional or physical stress can affect the functioning of the immune system and trigger hives in susceptible individuals.

• Medications: Certain medications, such as antibiotics, analgesics, anti-inflammatory drugs, and others, can cause allergic or immunological reactions that lead to hives.

• Autoimmune diseases: Some people may develop hives as part of autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) or Hashimoto's thyroiditis.

It is important to note that hives triggers can vary between individuals, so understanding personal triggers and adapting lifestyle and health regimens to individual needs is critical.

Are hives the samePsoriasisasis?

No, hives (urticaria) and psoriasis (psoriasis) are different skin diseases. Hives are characterized by itchy rashes or swellings on the skin that can appear on different parts of the body and usually disappear within a few hours or days. On the other hand, psoriasisasis is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes the rapid formation of new skin cells, leading to red, scaly patches known as scales. Psoriasis can be very persistent and can cause discomfort and affect an individual's quality of life. Even though both diseases can have rashes on the skin, their causes, mechanisms, and treatments are different.

Are hives dangerous?

Generally, it is not, although it can be very unpleasant. Hives (urticaria) are usually not life-threatening. Most cases of hives are mild and disappear within a few hours or days without lasting consequences. However, itching, swelling, or pain can cause severe discomfort in some people. Some cases of hives can be chronic, meaning that symptoms persist for a longer period of time or are repeated. In these cases, hives can affect an individual's quality of life and require long-term management.

In rare cases, a severe allergic reaction called anaphylaxis can cause swelling of the throat and difficulty breathing, which can be life-threatening. If you have more severe symptoms of hives or signs of anaphylaxis, you must seek emergency medical attention immediately. Although hives are usually not life-threatening, you must consult a doctor if you have frequent or severe outbreaks of hives to determine the cause and begin appropriate treatment.

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