After a hectic or draining day, the first thing you’ll want to do is rest and recuperate. Whether you’re studying for an exam or burned out from work, stress can negatively impact your health. While you may feel like you have a handle on everything, your body may react with an itchy, burning response: hives. These raised, discolored welts can cause prickling pain on the surface of your skin. Even if you haven’t changed your body wash or experimented with new foods, these rashes can still emerge at full force because of other factors, including stress. Here’s a look at stress-induced hives and your options for treatment.
What Are Hives?
Hives are a puffy, itchy rash that can affect almost anyone. This condition can vary greatly. You could notice large welts all over your skin or just a few pea-like bumps. Hives can be especially irritating when they pop up in more visible places on your body, like your hands, face, arms, or neck. Though some outbreaks can come and go in as little as 24 hours, others can linger for six weeks or longer.
Potential Causes of Hives
This condition is typically the result of an allergic reaction that has been exacerbated by excessive scratching. Hives can be caused by many sources, such as an adverse reaction to medicine or insect bites, contact with pollen, or wearing skin-sensitive materials like polyester fabric or latex gloves. Stress can also be a factor. It’s completely normal for new stress hives to appear as others subside, but you can speak to a dermatologist to review your treatment options. Stress hives aren’t a medical emergency, but they can be very uncomfortable.
Available Treatments for Hives
When you notice recurring outbreaks, try to identify triggers that may be aggravating your hives. Taking note of potential causes is the best way to avoid future rashes. For mild or moderate cases, your dermatologist may prescribe non-drowsy antihistamines to relieve burning and itching. Other conditions may warrant prescription creams for short-term use or injections to treat hives that have lasted for months.
For some people, hives aren’t severe. Children often outgrow them, and adults may see hives disappear on their own. But if they linger, grow, or become more painful, you should seek medical treatment. The Dermatology Clinic will develop a plan to help treat your hives and mitigate future outbreaks. Contact us today to seek relief for stubborn, itchy hives.