Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.
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Hives vs. other rashes
Hives are a kind of rash. If someone has hives, the rash typically has these features: It is raised and itchy. There may be swelling under the affected skin. There may be papules or plaques. The affected areas of skin can expand and join together. The rash may be pink, red, or skin-colored. The center turns…
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Hives on different parts of the body
Hives can appear anywhere on the body, such as the: legs arms trunk face Hives on the legs Some people have “papular urticaria” in reaction to insect or spider bites. It usually affects children who have not yet developed immunity to these bites. The lesions can develop anywhere, but commonly occur on the legs. Below are some…
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Symptoms
Hives often has these features: The characteristic raised skin lesions can appear in any area of the body. The lesions often appear in batches. They tend to be itchy. They may be pink, red, or skin-colored. If a person presses in the middle, the coloring may fade. The bumps usually last no longer than 24 hours,…
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Underlying health conditions
Some examples of health conditions that can cause hives include: viral infections, such as the flu, the common cold, glandular fever, or hepatitis B bacterial infections, such as some urinary tract infections and strep throat intestinal parasites, such as Giardia lamblia autoimmune hypothyroidism autoimmune conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, Sjögren’s disease, celiac disease, and type 1 diabetes any other condition that causes inflammation of blood vessels…
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Physical triggers
A physical factor other than an allergen can cause hives. Here are some possible triggers: sunlight exposure scratching or rubbing the skin pressure, from a tight belt, for example extreme temperatures or changes in temperature a high body temperature, due to sweating, exercise, anxiety, or a hot shower adrenalin, which the body releases during exercise and…
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Allergens
Hives can develop when the body reacts to an allergen. When an allergic reaction occurs, the body releases a protein called histamine. Next, tiny blood vessels called capillaries leak fluid. This fluid accumulates in the skin and causes inflammation and a rash. As fluid accumulates under the skin, small bumps form. The reaction can occur if a…
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Causes
Hives can develop as a reaction to: an allergen another physical trigger, such as extreme temperatures an underlying health condition Sometimes there is no clear reason why they occur. In the case of chronic hives, some experts believe that it may result from an autoimmune reaction, but they are still unsure.
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Hives
Hives often appears as a raised, itchy rash. There can be many causes, including exposure to an allergen, a physical trigger, such as pressure from tight clothing, or an underlying health condition. The medical name for hives is “urticaria.” People also call it welts, wheals, or nettle rash. Hives affects around 20% of people at some time…
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When to consult a doctor
Children with shingles symptoms should speak with a doctor as soon as possible. Some rashes in children look similar to shingles but may have a more severe cause that needs treatment. Some children may need antiviral medications for shingles. The medication works best when people take it within 3 days of the rash appearing. Outlook In most…
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Prevention
Shingles most often affects people who have had chickenpox. The best way to prevent shingles is to have the chickenpox vaccine. To avoid spreading the virus to others, people with shingles can: avoid direct contact with others cover the rash try not to touch or scratch the rash clean their hands frequently Some individuals are more at…
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