Table of contents:
- Various causes of hives often go unnoticed
- 1. Food allergies
- 2. Outside air
- 3. Certain diseases
- 4. Sweating
- 5. Stress
Have you had hives? Hives are a condition when the skin feels itchy with red bumps that spread and spread over the skin. In medical language it is called urticaria, this condition can affect the face, body, arms, or legs. You sometimes don't realize that when you suddenly feel itchy on your skin, it turns out, uh, that you have hives. So, what are the causes of hives? Check out the full review below.
Various causes of hives often go unnoticed
Hives usually appear when there is an allergic reaction to a certain trigger, such as pets, pollen, or latex. When exposed to allergens, the body releases histamine and chemicals into the blood, causing itching, swelling, and other symptoms.
Here are some of the causes of hives that make your skin super itchy.
1. Food allergies
According to Debra Jaliman, MD, a dermatologist from New York, hives can be caused by allergies to certain foods or drinks, such as eggs, shellfish, peanuts, or berries. Red bumps due to hives can appear immediately after a person eats allergic foods, but some may take several hours before symptoms appear.
In addition, hives can also be triggered by several food additives, including artificial coloring and preservatives. If you are one of them, then you should avoid foods that trigger allergies. If you are already exposed to hives, immediately consult a doctor to get a prescription for drugs.
2. Outside air
The appearance of hives or hives due to insect bites or exposure to pollen is well known. However, what is often not realized is that hives can also be caused by sun exposure, cold temperatures, or strong winds.
This then does not mean you are allergic to outside air. According to Marilyn Li, MD, an allergist and immunologist from Los Angeles, it is more of a skin condition that is very sensitive to various outdoor weather conditions.
In addition to avoiding triggers for itching, your doctor may prescribe antihistamines to treat hives due to changes in weather or temperature. That way, you can enjoy both summer and winter without worrying about recurring hives.
3. Certain diseases
Hives are not just itching and bumps on the skin. The reason is, hives can also signal a more serious health problem. Patients with lupus, lymphoma, thyroid disease, hepatitis, and HIV all have symptoms of itching similar to hives. However, the type of hives or urticaria is classified as chronic so it can be treated with the help of medication.
According to the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology, 50 percent of chronic urticaria cases are caused by autoimmune diseases, which are when the body's immune system attacks its own body tissues. Thyroid disease is one of the autoimmune diseases most frequently reported by sufferers of chronic urticaria, followed by complaints of rheumatism and type 1 diabetes.
4. Sweating
Sweat basically doesn't cause itching. However, a sweaty body indicates that the body is experiencing an increase in temperature. For some people, an increase in body temperature - either due to exercise or a hot shower - can trigger itching.
When you sweat, your body produces acetylcholine, a chemical that blocks cell breakdown. This acetylcholine can interfere with the development of skin cells so that the skin becomes irritated and triggers a rash.
5. Stress
Research shows that stress is the culprit of many physical and mental illnesses, including hives. Excessive stress can cause your immune system to decline, making it more susceptible to skin problems, including hives.
In people with chronic urticaria or hives that persist for more than six weeks, stress and anger can cause the body to release histamine. As a result, the body responds to inflammation by causing red bumps like hives.
If you experience chronic urticaria due to heat or illness, then immediately consult a doctor for further treatment. Your doctor may recommend a prescription for an antihistamine to reduce symptoms. Meanwhile, if it is possibly caused by stress conditions, then control your stress in several ways such as exercising, breathing exercises, or meditation.
