Hives Overview
Hives, also called urticaria, are an immune reaction on the skin leading to small red wheals. Urticaria is often acute and temporary, but chronic urticaria can also occur. Causes are typically some type of allergy, which leads to a skin reaction. It may be airborne allergens, contact dermatitis, or also food allergies (ingested allergens). In many cases it is difficult to identify the exact allergen causing the reaction. Another possibility is that exposure to cold temperature may trigger “cold urticaria”. There are various other causes of hives. Note that with any allergic reaction there is a risk of anaphylactic shock, which is a medical emergency.
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- Food Allergies: Food allergies occur when the body’s immune system reacts against a substance in food causing an allergic reaction. Common
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- Medical Emergency Conditions: A medical emergency requires immediate professional medical care, with the calling of ambulance or other emergency services. Emergency first aid
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- Pollen Allergies: Pollen allergies are an allergic reaction to small grains of pollen that are carried in the air from various plants
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- Insect bites: The bites and stings from a number of different insects can cause disease through infection or allergic reaction. Mosquito bites
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- Insect Allergies: Insect allergies refers to an allergic reaction to substances or poisons from insects. The best known example is bee sting allergy
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- Anaphylaxis: Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening extreme allergic reaction to some allergen. The underlying cause is an allergy to some substance
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- Stress: Stress is the general condition of emotional or physical stress. This condition can have real physical effects on the body
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- Angioedema: Angioedema is a swelling under the skin that can occur in various locations. It is different from hives (urticaria), but
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Note: This site is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. See your doctor or other qualified medical professional for all your medical needs.