If you’ve ever experienced a bout with hives, you know how miserable in can be. Most likely you want to know what causes hives and how you can keep from having them. You’re definitely not alone. Hives are fairly common but no one who suffers from them wants to go through it again. By understanding the most likely triggers, you’ll be equipped to avoid the causes of hives and determine the best hives treatment for you.

How Can I Tell That I Have Hives?

Hives appear as itchy, red bumps on your skin which appear in clusters. Doctors often reference these bumps as wheals; they are uncomfortable by any name, however. They are similar in appearance to mosquito bites but usually appear in large clusters rather than as single bumps as you would see with a bug bite.

Your wheals may appear in various sizes. Most of the time, they will be small and resemble mosquito or spider bites; but you can tell they are hives because of their appearance in clusters. Be aware that wheals can become large; as large as four inches across, with a white center surrounded by a red ring.

The wheals will often be very small, so a cluster of small wheals may look like on larger one. These will appear to be a giant red patch which is extremely itchy and may cover an entire limb. Cases of hives will appear differently on different people.

When Will They Go Away?

There is no one answer to this question. Hives can last for hours, for only minutes or for a day. They usually last no longer than a day; but there are those who have chronic hives. If you suffer from hives for an extended period, then you should go see your physician as soon as possible so you can get rid of hives quickly and safely.

What Causes Hives?

Most often, hives are caused by being exposed to something you are allergic to. By understanding what you’re allergic to you can often avoid having repeated outbreaks by simply avoiding the substances which caused you to have hives before.

Hives triggers include chemicals you might be exposed to, fungi and bacteria as well as certain plants if you have allergies to them. Sometimes hives are preceded when a scrape or cut permits your skin to be exposed to these substances. Since it is very itchy, it’s really difficult to keep from scratching the area, which makes the condition worse.

Allergies are the most common causes of hives. They can be the symptom of an allergic reaction to factors such as pet dander, but it is more common to have hives as the result of an allergic reaction to food. Your doctor can help you to learn if there are any foods you should avoid in order to prevent hives. Stress is another possible cause of hives; since stress causes your body’s natural chemical balance to get out of whack, there can be various physical symptoms including hives.