Hive symptoms are associated with welts, also known as wheals, that can be:

• Reddish
• Itchy ranging from mild to intense
• Round, oval or worm-shaped
• Can be as small as a pea and as big as a dinner plate

Extreme Symptoms Of Hives

In some cases, your hives can worsen and can experience some extreme symptoms. If you experience these symptoms, find medical attention as soon as possible:

• Nausea and vomiting
• Swelling causing difficulty breathing
• Cold and clammy skin
• Rapid heartbeat
• Faintness or lightheadedness
• An unexpected abrupt feeling of intense anxiety

Hives, or urticaria, can be triggered by allergens or from certain chemicals that contact your skin. Here are some things that can cause hives to break out:

• Medications: Some medication can cause an allergic reaction such as some antibiotics and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), aspirin and ACE inhibitors
• Specific foods: You may be allergic to certain foods such as nuts, shellfish, food additives, eggs, and wheat products.
• Infections: Certain infections can cause you to break out such as influenza, the common cold, glandular fever, hepatitis B, urinary tract infections, and strep throat
• Intestinal parasites
• Extreme temperatures or changes in temperature
• High body temperature
• Pet dander from animals like cats and dogs
• Dust mites
• Cockroaches and cockroach waste
• Latex
• Pollen
• Certain plants: Plants like nettles, poison ivy, and poison oak can cause you to break out into hives
• Insect bites and stings
• Some chemicals
• Chronic illness: Illness like thyroid disease or lupus can come with hives.
• Sunlight exposure
• Water on the skin
• Scratching
• Exercise

There are some cases where you can not find the cause of your hives. Also, for chronic hives, it may be caused by an autoimmune response. However, for the most part, the cause of chronic hives is unclear.

Hives is a common skin condition. But, there are more people who are at risk of experiencing hives:

• Had hives before
• Have other allergic reactions
• Genetics, people with a family history of hives

Urticaria or hives might be an issue but there are some ways you can help manage and deal with your hive symptoms. Here are some tips and home remedies you can do to help with your urticaria:

• Wearing loose, light clothes
• Wear protective clothing and apply sunblock to avoid exposure to sunlight
• Use soaps for sensitive skin
• Use things like your shower, fan, cold water, lotion, or cool compresses to soothe the affected area
• Know your triggers
• Have a diary or keep track of your symptoms: This can help your doctor determine what is the cause of your hives symptoms
• Bathe and change your clothes: You might have contacted an allergen like pollen that can cause you to break out.

When it comes to your hives, there are some things you should avoid so you won’t break out. Here are some things to be careful of:

• Avoid stress: It was found that emotional stress is connected with experiencing urticaria
• Reduce or stop drinking alcohol
• Avoiding certain medications that cause you to break out
• Certain food you are allergic or could be allergic to
• Avoid temperature that you know you can experience hives
• Avoid scratching or rubbing areas breaking out into hives