Is hives contagious: Causes and symptoms

The urticaria is a dermatological disorder that can occur at any age and at any time of the day, frequently caused by an allergic reaction characterized by the presence of lesions on the surface of the skin. It often occurs in adolescents and young adults.

This allergic reaction can be triggered by the ingestion of a food, medicine or even by contact with an object. It is characterized by raised, very itchy reddish lesions called hives, which can appear anywhere on the body.

In this FastlyHealarticle, you will learn much more about hives, and we will answer the question: are hives contagious?

Are hives contagious? – The answer

You must be clear that urticaria is not contagious; the reaction on the skin of the person who suffers from it has no way of being contagious. It must be attended to in time, and know the triggers to avoid outbreaks of this alteration.

The best way to control this alteration is to visit the specialist regularly and detect the allergens capable of giving rise to allergic reactions on the skin. With this, you will avoid the appearance of frequent outbreaks of hives.

Next, we explain everything you need to know about this skin condition.

Urticaria: causes

Hives are an allergic reaction that occurs when you come into contact with a substance, an allergen, or the presence of certain conditions.

The substances capable of triggering this allergic reaction, a product of the release of histamine into the blood, are found in:

• Poland.
• Insect bite.
• Medications such as aspirin-type pain relievers or antibiotics, including penicillin.
• Animal dander.
• Foods contain gluten, chocolate, and other foods, such as nuts, some fruits, fish, shellfish, milk, and eggs.
• Alcohol consumption

There are cases where urticaria is not related to an allergic reaction, the cause that triggers it is the product of:

• Physical exercise.
• Anxiety.
• Stress.
• Sun exposure.
• Contact with some chemicals and even materials made with latex.
• Exposure to low temperatures: cold, snow.
• Bacterial infections, including viral ones.
• Pressure on the skin from wearing tight clothing.

Chronic hives can appear due to diseases of the immune system such as systemic lupus erythematosus, thyroid disease, or even cancer.

Urticaria: symptoms

Hives are easily recognized due to their characteristic symptoms:

The first that becomes evident is an itch, followed by inflammation that appears on the skin in hives, commonly known as welts, which can be the same color as the skin or reddish. The latter can join to form much more extensive lesions, which can change their appearance, disappearing and reappearing for short periods. Its duration is not greater than 48 hours.

There are other symptoms of hives that appear secondarily:

• Increased body temperature
• Palpitations
• Joint and headache pain.
• Nausea, vomiting.
• Rhinitis.
• Asthma-like respiratory disorder.
• Abdominal pain.

Once these symptoms appear, you should go to the emergency department quickly.

How long does a hive last?

Urticaria can be of four types, and its duration will vary depending on them:

1. Acute urticaria: this type of urticaria is caused by reactions to drugs, foods, infections, and insect bites. It can last around six weeks.
2. Intermittent urticaria occurs in the form of outbreaks; its duration is variable, as is the time between attacks where the patient is asymptomatic.
3. Chronic urticaria: in this case, the course is more excellent than six weeks; the cause that gives rise to its appearance is unknown. Stress can be a trigger for the formation of this type of hives.
4. Angioedema: it is a type of urticaria that is characterized by occurring in the most superficial layer of the skin but can also affect the deeper layers of the dermis. It is characterized by fluid and inflammation; it also causes deformity of the area, such as lips, eyelids, and scrotum.

Urticaria: treatment

The specialist doctor will indicate the treatment of urticaria to follow; in this case, it is the dermatologist. After a medical review, they will show, according to the symptoms and type of injury that occurs, the pharmacological treatment to follow.

The cure for hives will depend on the intensity of the reaction. If it is mild hives, in many cases, it will not need treatment and will go away on its own.

If the reaction is more severe, involving the throat and putting the respiratory part of the patient at risk, an urgent injection of adrenaline or asteroid should be given. If this alteration occurs, it is necessary to act immediately to avoid obstruction of the airways, known as glottis edema, which can cause the patient’s death if it is not treated in time.

Once the symptoms mentioned above are present, the indication of antihistamines should be applied as treatment.

In the following article, we show some natural remedies for hives that, in some cases, can serve as an adjunct to medical treatment for symptom relief.

How to prevent hives

• Hives cannot be prevented; however, exposure to allergens or substances should be avoided; only then will the outbreak be avoided.
• Likewise, it is necessary to restrict the consumption of foods or medicines that generate an allergic reaction.
• Sudden changes in temperature should be avoided.
• Use sunscreen above 50 on exposed areas, such as the face, hands, arms, and legs.
• Avoid pressure on the body with objects or tight clothing that can cause a skin reaction.
• Avoid stressful situations.
• Keep the skin hydrated, do not scratch the lesions.

Urticaria must be treated and diagnosed by a doctor; once it appears, it must be followed up to avoid the appearance of frequent outbreaks. In this disease, as long as the agents that trigger this reaction are known, the appearance of recurrent episodes of it will be avoided.

This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.

If you want to read more articles similar to Is hives contagious? , we recommend that you enter our category of Skin, hair and nails .