Hives are red, itchy, raised bumps or welts on the skin. They can appear anywhere and change shape or location quickly. While hives are usually not dangerous, they can be uncomfortable and affect your life. Sometimes, hives may signal a more serious allergic reaction and need immediate medical attention. 

Hives may be due to immune system activity, infections, stress, allergies, or other triggers. Some hives have a specific allergic trigger, while others have no clear cause. Allergic hives can be caused by foods, medicines, insect stings, or environmental triggers.

Swelling, or angioedema, happens when fluid builds up under the skin. The skin may look puffy and pink and feel hot, tight, or painful. A swollen body part will often look bigger than normal.

Swelling can appear around your eyes, lips, ears, hands, feet, throat, or other areas of your body. It can occur alongside hives or on its own. Swelling of the throat or tongue can be life-threatening and needs urgent care.

Swelling may happen after an allergic trigger, a medication, surgery, infection, or an injury such as a bite or trauma. It can also be due to immune system conditions or inherited disorders.

Hives and swelling can occur in different forms. Some are short-lived, while others are chronic or long-lasting. Understanding the type helps your care team provide the right treatment.

Chronic urticaria

Hives without a clear cause that stick around for a long time are chronic hives or chronic urticaria. These are hives that last for 6 weeks or longer. They can appear every day or flare up intermittently and come and go. 

Triggers for chronic hives may include stress, certain foods, infections, or other factors. Chronic urticaria can affect your sleep, work, and daily life. Your care plan will focus on reducing flare-ups and improving your comfort.

Physical urticaria

Physical urticaria causes hives after physical triggers. These include pressure, heat, cold, exercise, or sweating. Symptoms often appear soon after exposure. One common form is dermatographism, where scratching or pressure on the skin causes raised, red, itchy lines.

Hereditary angioedema

Hereditary angioedema is a genetic condition that causes sudden swelling, often without hives. It can affect your eyes, lips, hands, feet, face, throat, or other areas of your body. The swelling can be painful and is dangerous if it blocks your throat and airway. Treatment focuses on preventing attacks and managing symptoms quickly when they happen.

Carilion provides custom treatment plans to reduce symptoms and prevent future episodes. We use testing and advanced therapies to improve comfort and safety for patients of all ages. 

Testing

Tests are the first step to help find the cause of hives or swelling. These tests are especially important for hereditary angioedema, which is a rare genetic condition. Allergy testing is less common in these cases, but it may be part of the evaluation. Knowing the cause of swelling or hives helps your care team find the best treatment for you.

Medicines

Medicines like antihistamines can help reduce swelling and itching. They can also prevent flare-ups and protect you from serious reactions. Your doctor will guide you on which medicine to take, how much, and when to take it. These medicines help control your symptoms, lowering your risk of severe episodes.

Biologics

Biologics are targeted treatments that help control chronic hives or hereditary angioedema. They work by preventing sudden and severe swelling episodes. Biologics are usually given as injections or infusions on a regular schedule. Your care team will determine how often you need them.