Pressure urticaria is a relatively common form of hives, muscle aches, or pain being the common symptom other than hives being the key to this diagnosis. Urticaria is the medical condition known more commonly as hives. Muscle aches and pain can be caused by too many things to list here but when hives, muscle aches, and pains appear simultaneously, pressure urticaria is very likely.
What Is Pressure Urticaria?
Pressure urticaria is a pretty common form of hives that comes when the skin in any particular location has been under pressure at the same place for a considerable length of time. This happens a lot on the feet from standing a long time or on the buttocks area from sitting in the same position too long. Naturally, not everyone who does either of these things will break out in hives; muscle aches don’t happen to everyone under these circumstances either. But in some people it actually does result in a painful or sore type of hives. It can also come from tight clothing causing pressure in a certain area. The hives will begin after the pressure is relieved, usually a few hours after.
Why Does It Happen More In Working People?
The condition often happens to people in professions that require a person to wear things like a tool belt, where the belt itself or a tool like a hammer hanging from it causes pressure and that pressure is applied all day as a result of having to work. After taking off the belt, or other working accessory, the person will break out in hives. Muscle aches or outright pain accompanies the hives and they itch more than normal hives. They usually last for anywhere from two to 48 hours and can be accompanied with fever or chills, and sometimes a headache. Other types of work that can cause this are carrying a bag of some sort on a shoulder (think delivery person), using a hand tool the same way all day, or having to walk or stand with safety vests or other unusual work apparel that is heavy and unusual.
Many types of work will cause a person to have to have pressure applied in a way to some body part that is not normal in non-working conditions. Antihistamines usually don’t help this type of hives. Muscle aches can be eased with NSAID drugs, as long as it is not a drug that triggers hives.
