The causes of hives are plenty and wide apart. When you are allergic to something, the body releases several hormones and histamines into the blood stream. These can cause hives and allergy to the skin. Hives causes several symptoms like itching, swelling and red bumps on the skin. They are basically an allergic reaction and very common among North Americans. Also, when people are prone to hives as an allergic reaction, they get it more. For example, hay fever causes people to get hives as an allergic reaction.

Hives are of different kinds. When hives appear around the lips and face, it is called angioedema. There are several causes, but more often than not, foods cause such reactions, like shell fish and nuts. Milk and pollen are also known to cause such reactions.

Stress can cause hives because it stimulates the adrenal glands to release more hormones. Even severe exposure to sun and cold can cause hives. Excessive sweat and body heat are triggers for hives. Sometimes hives also occur as a response to autoimmune diseases like leukemia. Certain infections also cause hives.

The symptoms of hives include irritation, swelling and they are red in color. They have clearly defined edges that can be rough. The hives can last for several days or disappear immediately within some minutes. Hives keep changing in shape and size. The way to identify a hive is to press the center of it and see if they turn white.

A doctor can determine if it is a hive by looking at it. When a person has a history of hives, it becomes easy for the healthcare professionals to diagnose it. Sometimes skin and blood tests can reveal the presence of hives. Skin biopsy is performed in rare cases to determine the presence of hives.

Hives are treated medically only when they are severe and not mild. If the allergy is mild, the symptoms disappear on their own. Self precautions are also essential when a person has hives. When you have hives, you should have a bath only with warm water. An oatmeal bath can alleviate the itching and soothe the skin. However, preventing hives is a better strategy. Do not eat foods that seem to trigger hives. Do not eat foods that contain histamines. They increase the heat in the body and worsen the hives. Hives increase in number when there is heat in the body. Prevention is possible when you avoid circumstances and triggers that increase the possibility of causing hives on the body.

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