How Long Do Hives Last
Hives are a skin allergy that appears as itchy, red welts on the surface of the skin, and are usually the result of an allergic reaction to food, medicine, or something in the environment, such as pet dander. Emotional stress can also cause hives, as can weather that is too cold or too hot. Both allergens and emotional upheaval cause the body to release histamine into the bloodstream, and too much histamine has long been determined as the root cause of hives. The bumps vary in size, and it is not uncommon for them to merge into large, flat planes. Medical treatment is usually unnecessary, as they often vanish on their own, although extreme cases may affect airway passages and require emergency care.
If wondering how long do hives last, the answer is usually a day or two for mild cases, and as long as several weeks if the outbreak is extreme. During this time it is not uncommon for hives to appear and vanish on different areas of the body. Itching and swelling can be reduced by avoiding tight fitting clothing over the affected areas, and the application of milk of magnesia has also had positive results. Over-the-counter antihistamines can be taken as well to reduce the symptoms associated with hives. Hot baths, on the other hand, should be avoided, as this can inflame the hives and make the itching worse. Severe or extreme cases may require a shot of epinephrine or steroids, especially if the swelling is affecting air passages.
Unfortunately, the only prevention for hives is avoiding the cause. Determining what triggered the outbreak of hives, however, can be difficult. Not many people can remember everything that was eaten, touched, or inhaled in the hours prior to the outbreak, and so do not know exactly what it is to avoid. A better recommendation would be to begin a diary to keep notes of foods, medications, and even fabrics that are worn to narrow the cause of a hives outbreak. While this can be time-consuming, it is often the best method for identifying the triggers.
Hives are a common skin allergy, and affect around 20 of all people at some point in their lives. The question of how long do hives last is generally answered with one to two days, although some cases can last weeks. Over-the-counter antihistamines are often effective in treating outbreaks of hives, although cases lasting more than six weeks may require a shot of epinephrine or steroids. Prevention is done only by avoidance of the triggers, and keeping a diary of food, medicines, and other things that the body comes into contact with may be the only way to narrow down the exact cause of an outbreak. It is not uncommon for several outbreaks to occur before the exact cause is determined.
