Hives, or urticaria, is a very bothersome condition. Many people suffer with it for years. Scarring seldom occurs with hives. Hives marks, or scars, don’t happen because the condition doesn’t produce any wound to the skin to repair.
Why Don’t Hives Marks or Scars Occur?
In order for the skin to exhibit any type of scar tissue, or permanent discoloration, there has to be some damage to the skin for the body to repair. Scarring occurs when there is some type of break in the skin. This could be anything from the simple rupturing of a pimple, which breaks the skin, to a cut in the skin from a sharp object that causes bleeding.
None of these things happen with hives. Marks or scarring isn’t left because hives doesn’t cause a break in the skin. Without a skin break, the skin doesn’t produce collagen to repair the wound (there is no wound). It is this collagen production that creates scar tissue. So as worrisome and life-changing as chronic hives can be, hives marks is one thing sufferers really don’t have to concern themselves with.
What About the Discoloration?
Sometimes hives results in a condition classified by the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. This is sometimes confused with hives marks or scarring but it is not the same thing. It is a long, frightening sounding name, as medical terms tend to be, but is really just another name for slight discoloration that eventually fades away on its own.
Due to the slight swelling, or raised areas that are evident during the actual attack of hives, marks of discoloration are sometimes left because excess melanin accumulates and changes the skin’s color in that area ever so slightly. You can consult a dermatologist about the best way to treat these but they usually go away on their own.
How Can These Discolored Areas Be Rid Of Faster
A normal treatment course to get rid of these discolored hives marks would go something like this:
- A prescription is obtained for a topical corticosteroid. This is applied directly to the area of discoloration
- The medication will stop any residual swelling that may be still in process and also halts any further melanin production.
- The hives marks of discoloration will eventually fade away. This doesn’t happen overnight but may take weeks
- Topical hydroquinone may also be used. It is a skin bleaching agent that comes in prescription or OTC strength. This agent breaks up melanin clusters caused by the swelling and the hives marks eventually fade away
You should wait until the outbreak of hives has come and gone before applying any of these topical solutions.
