Facts on Hives

Hives is a condition where an itchy rash develops on the body. It generally clears up within two days.

In this article:

What are hives?

Symptoms

Causes

Diagnosis

Treatment

How Chemist Online can help

Advice & Support

What are hives?
Hives is basically a blistery rash that appears on the skin.

Although the condition is not serious, the onset of symptoms can be frighteningly sudden.

Hives generally occur on the chest and the arms and legs, but they can, in fact, appear on any area of the body.

When tiny amounts of fluid leak from blood vessels just under the skin, hives appear as an itchy rash.

Symptoms
Hives are small weals on the skin (these can be either red or white in colour and can appear like blisters). The weals can also vary in shape and size, with several weals often ‘joining together’ to form one large weal. Again, although these large weals can be alarming, they should clear up within a day or two.

Causes
Common causes (or triggers) of hives include allergies to:

Pets

Foods

Latex

Horses and donkeys

Bee and wasp stings

Nettle stings

Cosmetics

Plants

Chemicals

Certain medicines (e.g., aspirin, some antibiotics)

Viral infections

Vaccines

Diagnosis
For the vast majority of people who develop hives, the symptoms clear up after a couple of days without treatment. However, if you are particularly concerned, or your symptoms simply refuse to clear up after a 48-hour period, then arrange an appointment with your GP. After taking your medical history and asking you some questions about your symptoms, your GP will then examine the affected area and recommend an appropriate treatment.

In severe cases of hives, the sufferer may be referred to a dermatologist for specialist assessment and to discuss more involved treatment options.

Treatment
Hives are usually treated with antihistamines. These are available as over-the-counter remedies or on prescription.

How Chemist Online can help
Through this website we have a range of treatments available to buy which can help relieve the symptoms of allergies.


www.chemistonline.co.uk


Advice & Support
Allergy UK
Tel. 01322 619898
Website: www.allergyuk.org


This information and advice is not intended to replace the advice of your GP or chemist. Chemist Online is also not responsible or liable for any diagnosis made by a user based upon the content of the Chemist Online website. Chemist Online is also not liable for the contents of any external internet sites listed, nor does it endorse any commercial product or service mentioned or advised on any of the sites.





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Keywords: Medicines, Health, Beauty

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