What Causes Chronic Hives?
Bug Bites
Most insect stings and bites cause some kind of redness, swelling, or itching. Sometimes, they bring more than a small bump. Hives happen when your whole body has an allergic reaction.
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Infections
Watch out for hives when you have bacterial or viral problems, such as:
- Hepatitis
- HIV
- Cytomegalovirus
- Epstein-Barr virus
Even the common cold can sometimes set off a hive reaction.
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Scratching
Take your nail and firmly (but not too firmly) scratch a line into your skin. If the raised mark it makes sticks around for half an hour, you’ve got something your doctor may call dermatographism. It's hives that pop up from rubbing or scratching your skin.
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Working Out
When you exercise, your temperature goes up. Warm, flushed skin is the perfect host for a hive party.
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Stress
When you’re under pressure, your hormones surge. That puts your body into something called fight-or-flight mode. It can set off a host of reactions, including hives.
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Alcohol
Did you know you could be allergic to alcohol? Alcohol intolerance can cause a flushed face, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea -- and hives.
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Foods
What you eat can bring hives. Things like shellfish, peanuts, tree nuts, certain fruits, and milk are all common culprits.
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Medications
Just about any drug can cause hives. You could see red, itchy welts after doses of:
- Penicillin
- Aspirin
- Ibuprofen
- Naproxen
- Blood pressure meds
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A Tight Squeeze
Squeezed skin can bring welts called pressure hives. Any kind of force can cause them, including:
- A heavy backpack on your shoulder
- A waistband with no give
- Sitting in a hard chair for too long
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Sunshine
It’s rare, but you can be allergic to sunlight. When this reaction happens, you get hives only on the parts of your skin the sun has touched.
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Heat
Hives thrive on warmth. Anything that makes you hot can be a trigger, like:
- Hot baths
- Blushing
- Sunburn
If your temperature’s up, the welts can come out.
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Cold
Any contact with lower temperatures -- from a blast of winter air to a dip in a pool -- can bring on your rash.
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Autoimmune Disease
Often, hives happen because your immune system is too active. Your body’s defenses attack normal tissue, and boom -- breakouts.
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Latex
Disposable gloves, bandages, condoms, pacifiers, balloons, shoes -- the list of things made of latex is long. Everything on it can cause hives, if you’re allergic. Usually, it’s the protein in natural-rubber latex that riles things up.
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Pets
Dander can drum up hives quickly. So can saliva from cats and dogs. If you notice red welts after petting or playing with a furry friend, your playmate is probably the cause of your blotches.