An overview of chronic hives
Hives, also called urticaria, are an outbreak of pale and swollen plaques or red bumps on the skin. These are also called wheals on the skin and they tend to appear all of a sudden. Hives are either caused because of the body’s reaction to specific allergens or other unknown reasons. Generally, they cause itching and might also sting and burn. Hives can appear almost anywhere on the human body like the throat, lips, face, ears, and tongue. These red bumps on the skin vary in their size. They can be as small as an eraser and as large as a plate.

Urticaria can last for several hours and even for days before fading. These itchy welts appear and fade repeatedly with the skin reaction running its course. This health condition becomes chronic hives when these plaques or bumps on the skin appear for over six weeks and keep re-occurring over months and even years. Most of the time the cause of this chronic condition is not very clear. However, the condition can be quite uncomfortable and can even interfere with regular activities and sleep. Anti-itch medicines and antihistamines tend to be good relievers for this condition.

Below is some information about the symptoms of hives, its causes, and more.

What are the symptoms of chronic urticaria?
Viewing pictures of hives rash can help in knowing if you are suffering from hives. The signs and symptoms of chronic urticaria can last anywhere from a few minutes to several months and even years. While they generally resemble big bites, these welts can be very different in a number of ways. Some of the symptoms of chronic urticaria are:

• Welts varying in size and changing shape. These appear and fade on a repeated basis with the reaction running its course.
• Patches of skin-colored or red welts or wheals that appear almost anywhere on the human body.
• Painful inflammation or swelling of the eyelids, lips, and the interior of the throat. This is called angioedema.
• Severe itching
• A tendency of the symptoms and the signs flaring with triggers like exercise, stress, and heat.
• Pressing the center of the red bump makes it turn white, this is called blanching.
• The symptoms tend to persist for several months and to re-occur unpredictably and frequently, sometimes for months and even years.

What are the causes of urticaria?

• The cause of chronic urticaria is difficult to determine and, in most cases, it might be impossible. However, there are cases where the main cause might be hepatitis, cancer, infection, or thyroid disease.
• The red bumps appear because of the condition and arise when specific cells release histamine and various other chemicals into the bloodstream of the sufferer.
• The pressure exerted on the skin by wearing a tight waistband or by anything else can also be the cause of urticaria.
• Foods like eggs, nuts, shellfish, and peanuts might trigger this condition.
• Pain medicines like ibuprofen, penicillin, and antibiotics can cause chronic urticaria.
• Bacterial infections like strep throat and urinary tract infections can cause chronic hives.
• Additionally, latex; pollen; pet dander; physical stimuli like cold, pressure, sun exposure, and heat; insect stings and bites; blood transfusions; certain plants like poison ivy and poison oak and viral infections like infectious mononucleosis, hepatitis, and the common cold can lead to hives.

How to manage chronic urticaria?

• Avoiding known triggers is the best way to manage and treat chronic hives.
• Seeing an allergy specialist who can look for the triggers and suggest the right medicines can also help in preventing the condition.
• Cool compresses for relieving the itching can help in managing this condition.

What are the medical treatments for urticaria?
Medical treatments for hives include:

• Use of antihistamines for reducing itchiness
• Use of steroid tablets like prednisone
• Using calamine lotion
• Making use of diphenhydramine like Benadryl
• Visiting the dermatologist for persistent or severe urticaria might be recommended