Hives can affect all sub-sections of the population: the elderly, men, women and children (including infants). Thus, hives in women are not cause for surprise.
Hives In Women and the Rest of the Population- Possible Genetic and Environmental Factors
It is worthwhile thinking about the degree to which age-specific or gender-specific factors might contribute to the development of hives in a particular sub-section of the population. One way of going about this would be to look at the form of hives that was prevalent. For example, more women than men are stricken by chronic urticaria. This might point to the involvement of hormones in the progression of a good number of cases of chronic urticaria.
Alternatively, it might suggest that women are more frequently exposed than men to environmental factors that trigger chronic hives. Whatever the case, chronic hives in women and men alike are often idiopathic. Thus, it would be difficult, if at all possible, to prove the gender-specificity of the triggers of chronic hives.
Another way to figure out what age-specific or gender specific factors contributed to the development of hives would be to focus on the prevalence of certain hives triggers within each subsection of the population. For instance, among infants, viral infections would likely be found to contribute to a large number of cases of acute hives. Does this suggest that infants are exposed to a larger number of viruses than other age-groups? This is not likely. It might, however, suggest that infants’ immune systems are not as finely-tuned as those of adults.
It must also be recognized that, through breast milk, breastfeeding infants are exposed to some of the same factors as their mothers. These factors may cause the infants to develop hives. In women, specifically their mothers, these factors might cause no symptoms, but the babies are likely to have much more sensitive bodily systems.
It is also important to consider the contribution of nutrition to the distribution of hives among different population groups. Some cultures may have different dietary practices for different age groups and genders. Infants tend to be fed simple, easy-to-digest plant-based foods through the weaning process. As they grow older, harder-to-digest foods may become a part of their diet. Some cultures have dietary restrictions and taboos that result in the avoidance of foods that frequently act as allergens. For instance, in cultures that don’t allow women to eat eggs, allergic hives in women will be less likely than allergic hives in men to be triggered by eggs.
