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What Are the Causes of Hives?

Many people suffer from hives and for many different reasons. The causes of hives are not always discovered, which can be very frustrating. There are so many causes of hives and so many types of them that it’s often difficult to trace the allergen responsible.

The Different Types of Hives



People generally suffer from two varieties of hives: chronic and acute. Acute hives occur suddenly, as a response to a specific allergen and rarely last more than a few days or weeks. Chronic hives are an ongoing issue and are often harder to trace to a specific cause. Many people with chronic hives remain on some form of preventative medication for their entire lives.

Of chronic and acute cases, there are still several types of hives. One type of hives is caused by extreme temperatures, either cold or hot. Another variety of hives are caused by pressure on some part of the skin or body. Still another type is stimulated by some type of chemical, perhaps perfume or a cleaning solution. Yet another type is food-related. As you can see, the causes of hives can be difficult to trace, simply because there are so many types. To make matters worse, some people are prone to more than one variety.



Speaking in medical terms, the causes of hives can all be traced to histamine production and release. When an allergen (any substance foreign to the body can be an allergen) is detected by the body, the hormone called histamine is released and directed to the area of the body that is affected. Histamine is one of the body’s many defenses.
When the histamine hits the bloodstream, it acts as what is called a vasodilator, which means that it dilates, or widens, blood vessels. This widening of the blood vessels is what causes the red patches present in hives.  The histamine is what causes the intense itching, as well. Increased blood flow to the area is responsible for a sensation of heat in the affected area, also.

The best way to know which causes of hives apply to you, it is best to have an allergy screening.


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This entry was posted in Q&A