Allergic hives can be caused by contact with plants or animals or after eating food, taking medication or being stung by an insect.1,2
This type of hives usually occurs within 1-2 hours of being in contact with the allergen and disappears without treatment within 6-8 hours.3 Allergies can also cause other symptoms such as stomach pain, vomiting, difficulty breathing or dizziness.3 It may be helpful to keep a diary of symptoms if you suspect allergy is the cause of your hives.
Sometimes recurrent episodes of acute urticaria caused by an allergy are mistaken for chronic spontaneous urticaria.1 It is important to note that allergies do not cause chronic urticaria, when hives are present each day for six weeks or more.
Not all hives are caused by an allergy. Your doctor can help to make a proper diagnosis.
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References
- Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy. ASCIA PC Hives Urticaria 20204. Available from https://allergy.org.au/patients/skin-allergy/urticaria-hives Accessed July 2024.
- Deacock SJ. Clin & Exp Immunol 2008; 153:151–161.
- Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy. ASCIA HP Position Paper Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria Guidelines 2020. Available from https://allergy.org.au/images/stories/pospapers/ASCIA_HP_Position_Paper_CSU_2020.pdf Accessed July 2024.