It is common for children to suffer from a hives-like rash at some point in their life. There are many types of rashes with specific visual indicators of what they can be. First, you may be wondering, “What does hives rash look like?” Hives rashes differ from other types of rashes primarily in appearance. Rather than bumps that resemble pimples or big bites, hives-like rash symptoms are the development of raised welts or wheels that vary in size and can be either flesh colored or different shades of red.

Mono and Hives-like Rash

Mononucleosis, also known as “mono”, is a viral infection that can cause hives on the back and other parts of the body. Spread through contaminated saliva, mono causes the lymph node glands of the throat to swell, inflames the tonsils, and causes fatigue and general feeling of un-wellness. In most cases a rash resembling that of measles develops, particularly if amoxicillin has been administered. In rare cases a hives-like rash may appear. The best treatment for mono is plenty of rest, fluids, and acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain and fever. However, if your child has mono and suffers from hives, ibuprofen and other pain relievers such as aspirin can, in certain cases, make hives worse. In the event that the hives become worse, keep the skin cool and apply topical ointments for the itching. Once the medicine has passed through their system the hives will begin to subside.

Hives-like Rash in Children

When your child suddenly develops a rash it is easy to become anxious and make an appointment with your doctor. According to DrSEARS (http://www.askdrsears.com/topics/childhood-illnesses/hives), illness is the leading cause of hives in children, a common culprit being the flu virus. If your child suffers from fever and hives but no other symptoms then it is likely that the hives are being caused by the illness. Regardless of the exact cause you should focus on providing relief if there is itching. Administering a dose of Benadryl is helpful to counter and stop the histamine reaction and reduce the presence of hive welts. It can also help with itching though it is known to produce drowsiness. If the hives persist then it is safe to give your child Benadryl every six hours as needed. If the hives-like rash diminishes to only a handful of spots you can stop the use of Benadryl. In the event of hives-like rash, fever, and other symptoms or if your child becomes progressively sicker it is recommended to check in with your doctor and review the symptoms and duration of the hives and illness.

Urticaria or hives can occur almost anywhere on the body. Hives on buttocks can therefore be treated as a normal case of body hives. Most cases initiate on a single part of the body such as the trunk, chest, arms, legs, and can seem to spread over several hours as old hive welts fade and new ones develop. Hives welts can be distinguished from other rashes by the raised circular forms they take.  Welts can be small or grow in size to join with other welts creating large patches of raised skin. Their color can be whitish or red with a red inflamed area surrounding the welt. It is common for a case of hives to last several hours and sometimes several days. In the more extreme cases of acute urticaria, hive welts can last up to several weeks. Anything exceeding six weeks is considered chronic hives. In incidences of long-term acute urticaria, the cause can usually be isolated to an allergy with repetitive exposure, a changed mental state such as stress, illness, or immune disorder rather than cold, heat, exercise, or sun exposure.

Welts on Buttocks

In addition to acute hives caused by histamine reaction, there are several forms of hives with different triggers. Pressure urticaria is caused by the blood flow to a certain part of the body and the application of pressure.  Sitting for too long in a single posture can cause hive welts on the buttocks and similarly those who wear tight pants or belts may experience pressure urticaria around the waist. Welts on the buttocks can also develop as a reaction to the detergent you use to launder your underpants or the chemicals used to clean toilet seats. If you have a case of contact dermatitis you might change your detergent to an allergy-free formula to prevent further irritation. Keep in mind that welts on buttocks differ from other rashes that may occur on the buttocks.

Hives on Buttocks – Could It Be Something Else?

In order to properly address your skin rash it is best to confirm that what you have is indeed hives. In addition to the raised welts characteristic of hives, urticaria tends to appear over the entire surface of the skin rather than in specific areas such as skin folds and joints. When examining your rash take note of the type of outbreak – welts, bumps, pustules, lesions, etc. If the condition persists you should visit your doctor as a bacterial, fungal, or viral infection may be to blame. Common examples of rashes on the buttocks are diaper rash caused by prolonged exposure of feces and urine on the skin, yeast infection, and cellulitis.

Hives that come and go over extended periods of time are considered to be chronic hives. All forms of hives, both chronic and acute can come in waves making them appear to spread from one body part to the next or clear and then return. Hives that come and go are thus common and are a telltale sign of this type of rash. Patients should keep in mind however, while a case of hives can last anywhere from an hour to several weeks, individual urticaria welts should not last for more than 24 hours.

Hives That Come and Go: Chronic Hives

Hives are considered chronic when any given episode lasts for more than six weeks. Unlike acute cases of hives that are usually caused by an allergy to foods, food additives, medication, or stings and bites, chronic hives tend to be without a known origin and are termed idiopathic urticaria. In 50% of these cases the urticaria welts are cause by a histamine reaction within the body resulting in the itchy red welts. In other cases of idiopathic urticaria immune or hormonal functions are to blame and often point towards an infection or disease unrelated to the skin and allergies. In some rare cases of chronic hives welts may last longer than 24 hours causing pain rather than the common itching. When the welts clear they can leave a bruise on the skin. While not all cases of painful hives are caused by vasculitis (inflammation of the blood vessels, http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/vasculitis/DS00513), it is the most common cause of this form of hives.

Dealing with Hives That Come and Go

If you suffer from hives that come and go for more than six weeks you should book an appointment with your allergist or an immunologist so that a series of tests can be run to discover possible causes including any underlying illness. When you visit your doctor it is important to share with him/her your full family medical history, any medications (including vitamins) you are taking, and information about your home and work environment, including the products used in those places. Depending on your particular case a series of test may be necessary. Your allergist may recommend a skin allergy test to determine if you are coming into contact with or ingesting an allergen. Other test may include a skin biopsy, to determine if you have vasculitis, and blood and urine samples. As frustrating as it may seem only 20% of hives cases can be diagnosed with a cause, making patient comfort and itchiness relief the primary treatment. Anti-histamines, steroids, and topical creams are often the best method to treat hives.

There are many skin inflictions that individuals suffer from, ranging from topical infections, insect bites, and skin disease to hives. Symptom of a histamine reaction that causes blood plasma to enter the skin tissue, there are several specific signs of hives that can help distinguish them from other forms of skin irritations. Though histamine reactions are often the sign of an allergy, it is not always the case. Hives are defined as a rash of unknown origin however, by isolating the onset of symptoms, you will be better able to identify the cause, treat it and, in the future, prevent its onset.

Hives Symptom Checklist

The Mayo Clinic has identified the following as the hallmark signs of hives: raised red or white welts of any that can cover large areas of skin; the proliferation of new welts after old ones clear giving the appearance of the rashes spread; itchiness; in rare cases burning or stinging. Symptoms of hives can last for a couple of hours, one day, or up to six weeks. Hives can manifest immediately or several hours after contact with an allergen or trigger such as heat, sun, or pressure. Hives that last less than six weeks are considered acute hives while those that endure longer than six weeks (they can last months or years) are considered chronic. Most cases of hives do not require medical attention however if the above symptoms do not clear in several days or you are very uncomfortable you should visit your doctor. Seek emergency medical attention if you have shortness of breath, feel lightheaded, or feel your throat is swelling. You may be having a severe allergic reaction that requires an injection of adrenaline.

Hives Symptom Relief

Treatments are generally unnecessary, as the hives symptom will normally clear on its own. For most people with hives the greatest discomfort is itching. Over the counter antihistamines such a Claritin, Alavert, or Zyrtec can help to alleviate symptoms, as can topical anti-itch creams. For those who prefer home remedies, placing a cool compress on the effected areas can bring comfort as can milk of magnesia, which is alkaline and can help with itchiness. Particularly in adults, hives can be triggered by emotional factors such as stress. Drinking an herbal tea such a chamomile or peppermint can be soothing as can putting cooled herbal tea bags on the skin. Taking a bath in a solution of ½ cup cornstarch and ½ cup baking soda can also relieve itchy skin as can milk baths. It is important to remember however that heat can cause hives and you should adjust you bath water temperature appropriately.

Characterized by raised red itchy bumps, hives are often associated with an allergic reaction. While most people associate hives and allergies with food, medicines are often the culprits and underlying cause of the raised red itchy bumps. Hives may form suddenly and disappear equally rapidly however, if you are suffering form an allergy to your medicine you will continue to have hive outbreaks until the medicine leaves your system.

Raised Red Itchy Rash – Is It Your Medicine?

There is a range of prescription and over the counter medicines that list red itchy bumps (hives) as a possible side effect. Any adverse reaction to drugs whether it be allergic or non-allergic is called an adverse drug event (http://www.cdc.gov/MedicationSafety/Adult_AdverseDrugEvents.html). Drug allergies can occur at anytime during the course of the drug treatment even if there have been no prior symptoms of an allergy or adverse reaction. According to the Resnik Skin Institute aspirin is a likely culprit for non-allergic adverse reactions and is a medicine found in most medicine cabinets. Known both to cause hives and exacerbate them, you should immediately eliminate aspirin and any medicines containing it, such as over the counter cold and flu remedies. Anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve) high blood pressure medications (ACE inhibitors), and painkillers that contain codeine are all known to cause hives in certain patients. Read ingredients carefully and stop any over the counter medication that contains a suspected allergen.

Drug Allergy – Raised Red Itchy Bumps (Hives)

It is extremely important that you speak with your doctor if you suspect that your prescription medications are causing an allergic reaction, consulting to see if an alternative medicine would be appropriate. It should be noted that individuals with weakened immune systems, those who have had a previous allergic reaction, patients with asthma, heart disease, and high blood pressure have a higher risk of drug allergies and adverse reactions to drugs. Antibiotics containing penicillin or sulfonamides are common drug allergens to be careful of.

There are several symptoms that indicate if you are having an allergic reaction to your medication: red itchy bumps or rash, hives, fever, facial swelling, shortness of breath, and anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis is by far one of the most severe symptoms and comprises a series of its own symptoms: weak or rapid pulse, drop in blood pressure, difficulty breathing, dizziness or loss of consciousness. Severe reactions requiring medical attention are drug-induced anemia (destruction of blood cells) and serum sickness, which can cause organ damage. Symptoms of serum sickness include joint pain in addition to hives and rash.

Hives itching and welts are caused by mast cell degranulation, causing the production of the protein histamine. When the mast cells of the body detect antigens (anti-body producing substance caused by a foreign substances or illness) they release a number of enzymes in response. During this process histamine is released causing the capillaries to swell and leak fluid into surrounding tissue. The ultimate result is hives itching and welts from the leaking fluid under the skin. These welts can occur anywhere on the body, taking on a different form when they appear on the face. In rare cases a person may suffer from both hives and angioedema (http://www.emedicinehealth.com/hives_and_angioedema/article_em.htm).

Hives Face Welts – Angioedema

While hives generally occur on the body, a different form of hives called angioedema mostly occurs on the face. Angioedema is a form of hives that occurs in the deeper layers of the skin tissue creating larger welts and severe swelling that may itch or also burn (http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hives-and-angioedema/DS00313). Swelling occurs in the area around the mouth and eyes, sometimes causing them to swell shut. Other areas angioedema can occur are the throat, genitals, hands, tongue, and feet. Swelling of the throat can be life threatening and immediate medical attention should be sought. Angioedema differs from common forms of hives and the treatment necessary tends to be more intense. In most cases of severe angioedema hospitalization is required with the administration of IV fluids to increase blood pressure, and IV prescription drugs to counter severe allergic reactions and anaphylactic shock. Non-allergy related forms of angioedema are termed idiopathic and may be due to stress, thyroid problems, deficiencies in iron or vitamin B12, and dental, sinus, and gallbladder infections. Angioedema can be caused by a reaction to ACE inhibitors prescribed for high blood pressure. Different from a traditional medicinal allergy, ACE inhibitor angioedema symptoms can be delayed and only occur in 1 in 500 people.

Hives Itching and Welts Relief

To relieve the itching and burning sensation of hives itching and welts on the face it is recommended to rinse your face with cool to cold water three to four times a day and use cooling compresses with anti-inflammatory ingredients to help with swelling. Your head should be kept above your heart using extra pillows when sleeping or lying down making sure that fluids continue to drain and reducing swelling. It is important that if you experience hives on your face that you seek treatment as over the counter remedies will not adequately address the issue and breakouts will continue to occur.

Hives rash and welts are a fairly common and non-severe form of skin irritation that effect children and adults. In children hives are most often caused by an allergic reaction to foods or environmental allergens while in adults they are often related to drug allergies, stress, and other emotional triggers. Often hives rash and welts arrive without any noticed trigger and clear up on their own. When the hives last for longer than six weeks they are considered chronic and can often be an indicator of extended exposure to an allergen or of an underlying disease. In addition to the common form of hives rash and welts that are raised “wheels” of varying size there is angioedema.

Hives Rashes and Welts – Angioedema

Angioedema is similar to the typical hives rash though it affects the deeper layers of the skins tissue resulting in large, firm, thick welts rather than wheels. Angioedema can occur with hives and alone. Symptoms include swelling of the skin, redness, pain or warmth in the affected area, and, in the most severe cases, difficulty breathing or swallowing. Angioedema often breaks out around the eyes, cheeks, or lips but is also common on the hands, feet, genitals, inside the throat, and bowels. Like hives, most cases of angioedema will resolve themselves and basic at home remedies can be used to ease the discomfort of symptoms. A more severe form of angioedema is hereditary angioedema, which is a genetic condition. Hereditary angioedema can cause sudden onset of swelling of the face, hands, feet, genitalia, digestive tract, and throat. Abdominal cramping and difficulty breathing due to swelling are also symptoms. Because it is genetic in origin, hereditary angioedema does not manifest in conjunction with hives. It is important to seek emergency care if you experience throat swelling, chest tightness, and feel lightheaded.

Hives Rash and Welts – Immune Connection

Hives rash and welts can be caused by immune responses in the body to other forms of disease and infection manifesting on the skin. Medical researchers have found a link between hives and certain autoimmune diseases. Although rare, patients with lupus may have chronic hives due to the production of antibodies or sun exposure. A study published in the journal Dermatology found that patients with chronic hives also had high levels of thyroid antibodies linking it to thyroid disease. Patients with leukemia have also been shown to have a link with chronic hives and they can act as an indictor of the disease. Less severe immune causes can be respiratory infection, such as sinusitis, and other forms of chronic bacterial infection like urinary tract infection.

Have you ever looked down to see yourself covered in red hive welts? Chances are that at some point in your life you or someone in your family will have a case of hives. Roughly 20% of the population suffers from hives at some point in their lives. Hives is an umbrella term to describe skin conditions characterized by raised, red and/or white wheels and welts that can vary in size, color, itchiness, and location on the body. Caused by the leakage of fluids beneath the skin hive wheels often appear and can seem to join together if you itch them, differing from other types of rashes and skin irritations that appear as red bumps. In most incidences red hive wheels aren’t serious and clear on their own after a couple of hours and in some cases days or weeks.

What to Do When You Have Red Hive Welts

The first thing you may notice when you find yourself with a case of hives is the itching. Do not scratch! Scratching can cause the welts to swell and spread across the skin. Additionally, your fingernails are dirty and can cause infection if the surface of the skin breaks. Hives breakouts can be in response to extreme heat or cold, an allergic irritant on the skin, food or medicine allergy or to nothing in particular. For immediate relief apply a cool compress to the skin to help with the swelling. Topical hydrocortisone creams can help with the itching and it is generally advised to take an oral antihistamine. Antihistamines work internally to reduce the production of histamines by the body’s mast cells, eliminating the formation of red hive welts and the sensation of itching. Because the cause is often unknown, over the counter antihistamines can be the fastest form of treatment for an isolated hives breakout. If however, you suffer from recurring acute red hive breakouts it is advisable to see a doctor.

Red Hive Welts – Doctor’s Visit

If your hives are particularly bothersome you may want to visit your doctor or make an appointment with an allergist. To prepare for your appointment you may want to bring several photos of the hives on your body, taking note of where the outbreaks occur. Also your doctor will want to know about the factors leading up to the outbreak such as any foods you ate prior and medications and vitamins you take. As hives can also be related to other infections and diseases be sure to speak honestly about your overall health and wellbeing.

Red itchy welts that itch are signs of a histamine reaction in the body. While the actual cause of the welts can be attributed to a number of things, most people’s first concern is how to soothe the itching. You can usually find some relief from red itchy welts that itch with over the counter antihistamines and topical creams such as calamine lotion or creams that contain hydrocortisone. However, if the red itchy welts that itch continue for more than a week you should visit your doctor for an examination. Once your doctor is able to physically examine the red itchy welts that itch, the cause of the rash can be narrowed down.

Welts on Hands

Welts on hands are often a sign of an allergic reaction and are a common place for the development of hives. Contact dermatitis, a skin condition caused by contact with an allergic substance is often itchy and manifests as red welts that vary in size. Contact dermatitis only occurs on parts of the body where the skin has come into contact with an allergen. Thus, the hands are a common area as the mere handling of an allergic substance can cause a breakout. If the red itchy welts that itch clear on their own, only to return contact an allergist to conduct an allergy test. Patients with celiac disease seem particularly prone to gluten related rashes on their hands after ingesting or touching wheat and gluten products. Patients should also be aware of what they are handling, taking note of the onset of symptoms and the duration of the welts. If there are certain products that you suspect could be causing the hives stop using them and bring them with you on your doctors visit. Additionally, if you are taking any medications is it important to check with your doctor for possible allergies or side effects.

Welts on Arms

Welts on arms can also be a sign of a contact dermatitis as well as an indicator of stress. Interestingly, stress is a common cause of hives. Any level of stress affects the body’s natural balance and can directly affect the immune system. The exact reason why stress triggers hives is unknown. Stressful situations such as job interviews as well as emotional stress such as grief and depression are known to be triggers, resulting in outbreaks of hives on the arms, wrists, and hands. If stress is a suspected trigger, develop a plan to calm yourself such as taking deep breathes, closing your eyes, and taking a moment to collect yourself.

Much of the same causes of hives on other parts of the body are responsible for causing hives on the back. Hives occur most frequently on the trunk of the body (chest, abdomen, and back) and sometimes spread to the extremities (legs and arms) and rarely the head. If however hives on the back occur with other symptoms or signs of a severe allergic reaction you should consult with your doctor as an allergy or disease such as celiac or another autoimmune reaction could be to blame. Signs of severe allergic reaction are wheezing, difficulty breathing, and swelling of the throat.

Raised Red Welts

Raised red welts are the hallmark indicator of hives versus other forms of skin rash. Welts vary in size and can be red or skin toned. Generally forming in circular shapes, hives welts can come on suddenly and just as quickly disappear before a new bout erupts. It is common to not know the exact cause of hives. Generally speaking however, isolated hives (those that only appear on a particular area of the body) are due to contact with a triggering substance known as contact dermatitis. Because the area is so large hives on the back may be due to a contact allergy or completely unrelated. By paying attention to the patterns in your life you can start to deduce the possible causes.

Hives on the Back – Bath Products

Shampoo, conditioner, and other hair products that come into contact with the skin on your back, especially if you have long hair, are a good place to start in your search for skin irritants. Switching to a gentle, allergen-free formula such as baby shampoo may be able to alleviate the hives. When selecting styling products, soaps, body washes and laundry detergents, fragrance-free or natural products can also help as they usually contain different ingredients and gentler formulas. By switching these for allergy-free formulas you may be able to determine if you are allergic to a common ingredient found in soaps. According to Discovery Health (www.health.discovery.com) the five most common allergens found in soap are: sodium lauryl sulfate (a detergent responsible for creating suds), fragrance, coconut diethanolamide (another detergent that creates suds), paraben (an ester, this ingredient can go by many other names such as parahydroxybenzoic), and balsam of Peru (known as myroxylon, it is used for its fragrance as well as a fixative). Taking warm rather than hot showers can help with hives on the back, helping to prevent excessive drying of the skin. Following your shower a light, allergen-free, paraben-free and fragrance-free lotion can help soothe skin and prevent excess drying and rashes.