Hives Symptoms

Hives is a skin rash that often occurs as a result of an allergy, or allergic reaction. This kind of a rash normally consists of circular, raised welts on the skin. These rashes are often itchy in nature and they occur in blotches on the skin. These rashes can occur on any part of the body, the limbs, throat and trunk being the most commonly affected areas. Various symptoms and causes of hives can include allergic reaction to certain type of food consumed, insect bites or bee stings, or they can also arise as a result of an allergic reaction to a medication or to pollen. Depending on the duration for which the rashes last, the hives or urticaria can be chronic or acute in nature.

Symptoms of Hives

Skin Rash
The most visible of all symptoms of hives is the appearance of skin rashes. These skin rashes occur in the form of raised red or while welts, that is, wheals or swellings, which may be of various sizes. Sometimes, the wheals present may only be in the form of a small spot, whereas sometimes, a single welt may even cover a large area of skin. More often than not, the area appears red and there is a burning or stinging sensation there. The person may also feel that the area is very itchy and sometimes, due to the itching, skin may becomes more raised and red than it originally was. Welts have certain characteristics, like they may get bigger, spread uniformly, join, etc. They may even disappear and reappear in the same place or elsewhere in a matter of minutes or hours. When the center of the welt is pressed, it turns white, which is known as blanching. These welts commonly last for a day or so and are characteristic hives symptoms in men. The best hives treatment option in such cases is to get rid of the allergen and to prescribe antihistamine drugs that will prevent the symptoms from aggravating.

Angioedema
Angioedema is a related condition which may occur simultaneously with urticaria. In angioedema, the condition affects deeper layers. Thus, there are thick firm welts that are seen as huge swellings. These swellings may appear as tiny blisters or as or they may even be as large as bullae. Pain and warmth is often felt in these regions. These swellings appear as edema of the dermis or the subcutaneous tissue. The edema may be so large, that it can even affect the functioning of organs or other systems in the body. When there is hives in children, then the edema may affect the face or related areas, then there can even be difficulty in breathing or difficulty in opening eyes, especially if the edema affects the eyelid. In such cases, if the swelling obstructs the windpipe, then there may be need for an emergency surgical procedure to relieve the swelling, like a tracheostomy.

Other Symptoms
Sometimes, hives may even have systemic effects. The itching may be so severe, that the person may land up aggravating his own pain and skin rashes. Thus, this could lead to an open wound, which increases the susceptibility of the person contracting an infection. Furthermore, there may be some alterations in the immune system of the person, due to which again the person may contract an infection. In some rare cases, the person may have fever, difficulty in eating and indigestion, etc. These are relatively chronic hives symptoms.

Thus, these were the various hives symptoms and treatment options for dealing with them. Since this condition normally resolves on its own and is not a major health concern, one needn't be alarmed. However, if there is a lot of swelling, which causes difficulty in breathing and pain, then it is best to visit a doctor and get the condition treated.