A hives rash can appear almost anywhere including on the face, hands, back and arms. While it’s typical for hives to clear up on their own quickly, they can last for days or become a recurring condition.

Skin hives are swollen areas that often appear quickly without warning. They can be the result of an allergy or another cause you may not be aware of. Hives usually causes the skin to itch, swell and burn.

How Does A Hives Rash Develop?

Skin hives can be caused by a number of factors. Some of the most common are food additives such as eggs, chocolate, soy extract, and shellfish, pet dander, pollen, bee stings and bug bites. If your hives rash is the result of an allergic reaction to food, it can be difficult to figure out exactly which food is the culprit. Blood work or other tests may be performed by your doctor to find the trigger. Most people simply accept hives as a general allergic reaction and do their best to control symptoms.

Many cases of hives are also caused by stress-related factors. If you’re prone to stress, you may be at an increased risk for frequent hives flare-ups. In times like these, you should try to relax and put on topical ointments.

There are several hives treatment medications you can buy over the counter without a prescription. You may need to visit your doctor if you have a severe or chronic case of hives.

Hives Treatment Options

Before deciding on treatment, ask yourself how severe your hives condition is. Hives on the face, eyes, mouth and throat can be especially dangerous and require medical assistance. If your condition is not considered severe, you may want to try one or more of these hives treatment ideas:

• Anti itch medications such as calamine lotion
• Bath tub soaking with a mixture of baking soda and cornstarch in cool water
• Homeopathic or herbal remedies

Hives Prevention

Preventing hives is truly preferable to treating them. If you’re able to figure out what cause the hives in the first place, it will be easier to avoid future occurrences. A change in soap, laundry detergent or eating a new food could have been introduced into your routine. Any of these can trigger a hives rash, however do not be discouraged if you cannot figure it out as many times even your physician may be at a loss.

Medical Treatment

Professional treatment is recommended if you suffer from hives located in a dangerous area or have a particularly severe outbreak. Your doctor may simply prescribe a more powerful antihistamine or use a more aggressive type of hives treatment. Natural remedies for a hives rash are often preferred for cases not requiring a medical consultation.