Hives can be one of the most alarming skin conditions, especially since hives tend to develop suddenly and commonly appear on children. Hives can show up anywhere on the body. They are often marked by a collection of small, red and rough-textured bumps that can itch or burn. The most important fact to know about hives is that they develop out of your body’s response. Hives indicate that your body is reacting against external pollutant and toxins or from increased cortisol levels. It can be especially concerning when you are unable to detect the cause or determine why you (or a loved one) is breaking out in hives.
Hives Can Vary in Size and Color
Not all hive breakouts look the same. Not only can they occur on various parts of the body, but they can change in size and color as the skin condition heals. In most cases, hives go away on their own, or when the external stimulant is removed. However, some types of hives can take up to six weeks to heal.
How Do Hives Form?
Skin hives develop when smaller blood vessels cause blood plasma to leak out and release histamine chemical. There are a wide range of factors that could trigger histamine activation in the body, including the following:
- Prolonged sun exposure
- Heat or cold exposure
- Insect bites
- Food allergies (milk, nuts and chocolate)
- Certain types of medications (painkillers, aspirin and blood pressure control)
What makes matters more confusing is that not all patients react to the same factors. It is important, however, to take extra measures to pinpoint the cause of your hives so that you can avoid the situation in the future.
When to Call Your Dermatologist?
If you are concerned about your hives that won’t heal or an unexplained breakout on your child’s skin, do not hesitate to call a skin care specialist. A board-certified dermatologist should always be contacted if your hives include these symptoms:
- Swollen face, tongue or lips
- Breathing difficulties
- Wheezing
- Chest tightness
- Light-headedness
At Olansky Dermatology, we can determine the cause of your hives as well as help you find temporary and/or permanent relief. Hives can not only disrupt your quality of life, but they can also develop into angioedema, a more serious condition that involves internal inflammation. Call our Atlanta office today to learn more about diagnosis and treatment for skin hives. We can treat the entire family!
