HIVES PICTURES
URTICARIA (Hives) & DEMOGRAPHIC URTICARIA
Some people will use the terms "hives" and "rash" to describe the same condition. Hives are much different than a rash. Hives are under the skin, while a rash is on top of the skin. Most people have had a heat rash, where trapped sweat bubbles up under the skin and causes little tiny pustules to sit on top of the skin. In most cases hives look more like "welts" where the skin is raised, red, and itchy.
Rashes tend to be more patches of little bumps which are usually also red and itchy but with different causes. Hives can be caused by an allergic reaction to food, drugs or inhaled allergens such as mold spores.
Some people under great stress or anxiety will break out with hives. Hives will usually go away in less than 3 weeks. Chronic hives last more than 3 weeks and can occur anytime. The following hives pictures show the typical presentation of the condition.
Hives: red splotchy patches or bumps on the surface of the skin. Hives can come from many different medical conditions, can be a reaction to the environment, or an allergic reaction to certain substances.
Hives tend to be caused by some type of histamine reaction with the skin. While doctors are sometimes able to determine the cause, in many cases of hives, doctors may never discover their root cause.
Hives caused by certain elements can create different patterns on the skin. These patterns are determines by the way the agent acts against the skin, or how the person's skin reacts to the agent causing the hives.
Hives can develop anywhere on the body. They can be dangerous if they spread onto the face, since they can then travel into the throat, obstructing breathing.
The pattern that hives make can look more ominous than they really are. Some cases can be a simple reaction to an external stimuli, while others may be a sign of a more serious condition.
Babies with hives should be a concern for parents. While it is common, a baby's immune system isn't yet developed enough to help fend off infections or allergic reactions. You should speak with your health care provider if your baby develops a case of hives.
Cases of hives can vary in severity. Some cases may only show a few bumps, with little redness or swelling, while other may cover the entire body. It is common for allergic reactions to foods or medicine to cause the development of hives all over a person's body.
Stress can cause an outbreak of hives. When a person comes under a large amount of stress, their body produces too much cortisol and adrenaline. This creates a hormonal imbalance and can trigger an outbreak of hives.
Stress induced hives can last for almost six weeks. General cases can last for varying periods of time, dependant on the cause.
DERMOGRAPHIC URTICARIA
This skin condition occurs in less than 10% of the population. It is brought on by a blunt object scraping but not penetrating the skin. Objects such as a fingernail, tip of an inkpen, or a straw can be used to "write" on the skin. Some with the condition have come to use it as an art form.
Dermographic Urticaria mainly forms due to the dilation of the capillaries and various vascular structures under the skin.
This girl wrote her name in Chinese on her arm.
Dermographic Urticaria can also be accompanied by itching, but this only occurs in a certain percentage of cases.
This skin condition is more an exaggeration to the normal body's response to such stimulation.
While most people who are prone to dermographic urticaria say it doesn't itch like a regular case of hives, it can last from several hours to days depending on the individual.
I now take 10mg of prednisone a day. It definately works wonders keeping the hives away, it's just not good to take long term.