What are hives?
Hives are red, itchy, raised patches on your skin.
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Hives usually come and go away completely, but sometimes they last a long time
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Allergic reactions Overview of Allergic Reactions The immune system is your body's defense system. It helps protect you from illness and infection. The immune system usually reacts to and attacks bacteria, viruses, and cancer cells. An allergy... read more often cause hives, but there are other causes
What causes hives?
Hives are usually caused by an allergic reaction Overview of Allergic Reactions The immune system is your body's defense system. It helps protect you from illness and infection. The immune system usually reacts to and attacks bacteria, viruses, and cancer cells. An allergy... read more to a:
Hives can also be caused by:
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Stress and other emotional problems
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Physical factors, such as pressure, cold, heat, and light
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Autoimmune diseases Overview of Immunodeficiency Disorders The immune system is your body's defense system. It helps protect you from illness and infection. The immune system's job is to attack things that don’t belong in your body, such as germs, parasites... read more (diseases that make your immune system attack your own tissues)
Sometimes you and your doctor won't be able to figure out what caused your hives.
When should I see a doctor about my hives?
What are the symptoms of hives?
How can doctors tell if I have hives?
How do doctors treat hives?
Doctors may not need to treat hives if they go away on their own after a day or two and don't come back. If it's clear what caused the hives, your doctor will have you avoid that substance. To lessen your symptoms, your doctor may:
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Ask you to bathe in cool water, not scratch your skin, and wear loose clothes until the hives go away
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Give you certain medicines, such as antihistamine or corticosteroid pills to treat the itching, depending on how severe your symptoms are
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Ask you to stop taking your medicines, if possible, to see if that helps
Antihistamine pills can make you sleepy, particularly if you're older. Be careful about using them if you have to drive or use power tools. On the other hand, antihistamines may help you sleep at night.
