Can dehydration cause hives
6 Under-the-Radar Causes of Hives
For some people just the word "hives" is enough to conjure an itchy welt or red splotch. FYI, I may or may not be one of these people.
But in all seriousness, if you've ever experienced a bout of hives so much as once (and up to 20 percent of the population has) then you know firsthand they're nothing to take lightly. In fact, you'd probably do just about anything to keep them from appearing again. It can start and end with just a few if you're lucky, that is or it can turn into a full-fledged welt party spanning multiple limbs. Both cases are far from fun, but the most infuriating situation, no questions asked, is when you can't for the life of you figure out what's causing them.
Most of us (myself included) tend to equate hives with food allergies such as nuts or shellfish. But in some cases namely in what are called "chronic hives" food allergens are rarely the cause, which makes it all the more difficult to determine the real underlying issue. You see, after speaking with two allergists, I learned there are actually several factors that could be behind a hive breakout, some of which you definitely wouldn't expect.
Without further ado, read on to learn more about urticaria (the fancy medical term for hives) and their causes from the very experts who treat them for a living.
Acute vs. Chronic
The first order of business is understanding the difference between acute and chronic hives. The latter kind occur several days per week for at least six weeks and are rarely caused by allergies, according to Paula Busse, an associate professor of clinical immunology at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. On the other hand, Busse explains that acute hives happen for less than six weeks (or even in a single event) and are often triggered by allergies to certain foods or drugs. Acute hives can also occur after a viral infection, Busse notes.
Chronic Spontaneous vs. Chronic Induced
The next thing you need to know (unless that is you've already figured out your hives are acute!) is that there are two different types of chronic hives. Chronic Spontaneous don't have any identifiable trigger, Busse explains. "What we think happens in this case is that people make antibodies against their mast cells (cells that release histamine), [which is] similar to an autoimmune type disease," she said. "The antibodies which are made are very specific to the mast cell and not other white blood cells that help with infection," she added. As for Chronic Induced, those can be caused by a variety of factors, including tight clothes, drastic temperature change, or even exercise. "What happens in these cases, or at least we think, is that these triggers cause the mast cells to pop and release their histamine," she said, adding that this is why anti-histamines are used to treat hives.
Hives and angioedema
Overview
Hives
Hives
Illustration of hives on different skin colors. Hives can cause swollen, itchy welts. Hives is also called urticaria.
Angioedema
Angioedema
Illustration of angioedema on different skin colors. Angioedema causes swelling in the deeper layers of skin, often of the face and lips. It often goes away within a day.
Hives also known as urticaria (ur-tih-KAR-e-uh) is a skin reaction that causes itchy welts that range in size from small spots to large blotches. Hives can be triggered by many situations and substances, including certain foods and medications.
Angioedema can arise with hives or alone. It causes swelling in the deeper layers of skin, often around the face and lips. Short-lived (acute) hives and angioedema are common. Most times, they are harmless, clear up within in a day and don't leave any lasting marks, even without treatment. Hives that last longer than six weeks are called chronic hives.
Hives and angioedema are usually treated with antihistamine medication. Angioedema can be life-threatening if swelling of the tongue or in the throat blocks the airway.
Symptoms
Hives
The welts associated with hives can be:
- Skin-colored, reddish on white skin, or purplish on black and brown skin
- Itchy, ranging from mild to intense
- Round, oval or worm-shaped
- As small as a pea or as large as a dinner plate
Most hives appear quickly and go away within 24 hours. This is known as acute hives. Chronic hives can last for months or years.
Angioedema
Angioedema is a reaction similar to hives that affects deeper layers of the skin. It can appear with hives or alone. Signs and symptoms include:
- Welts that form in minutes to hours
- Swelling, especially around the eyes, cheeks or lips
- Mild pain and warmth in the affected areas
When to see a doctor
You can usually treat mild cases of hives or angioedema at home. See your health care provider if your symptoms continue for more than a few days.
If you think your hives or angioedema was caused by a known allergy to food or a medication, your symptoms may be an early sign of an anaphylactic reaction. Seek emergency care if you feel your tongue, lips, mouth or throat swelling or if you're having trouble breathing.
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Causes
For most people who experience acute hives and angioedema, the exact cause can't be identified. The conditions are sometimes caused by:
- Foods. Many foods can trigger reactions in people with sensitivities. Shellfish, fish, peanuts, tree nuts, soy, eggs and milk are frequent offenders.
- Medications. Many medications may cause hives or angioedema, including penicillins, aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others), naproxen sodium (Aleve) and blood pressure medications.
- Airborne allergens. Pollen and other allergens that you breathe in can trigger hives, sometimes accompanied by upper and lower respiratory tract symptoms.
- Insect bites and infections. Other causes of acute hives and angioedema are insect bites and infections.
Risk factors
Hives and angioedema are common. You may be at increased risk of hives and angioedema if you:
- Have had hives or angioedema before
- Have had other allergic reactions
- Have a family history of hives, angioedema or hereditary angioedema
Complications
Severe angioedema can be life-threatening if swelling of the tongue or in the throat blocks the airway.
Prevention
To lower your likelihood of experiencing hives or angioedema, take the following precautions:
- Avoid known triggers. If you know what has triggered your hives, try to avoid that substance.
- Bathe and change your clothes. If pollen or animal contact has triggered your hives in the past, take a bath or shower and change your clothes if you're exposed to pollen or animals.
Oct. 27, 2023
What to know about dehydrated skin
Dehydrated skin is a symptom of dehydration throughout the body. It can result in patches of rough, scaly, or itchy skin.
In this article, we look at the common symptoms and causes of dehydrated skin. We also outline treatments and suggest when to seek guidance from a healthcare professional.
The human body is
According to the
- sweat to prevent overheating
- avoid constipation
- lubricate and cushion joints
- protect the spinal cord
- protect sensitive tissues
- remove waste from the body via urination and bowel movements
The body is using up water constantly. People need to replace the water they lose by drinking water and other fluids.
If people use more water than they take in, they can become dehydrated. Dehydration can affect all parts of the body, including the skin.
Dry skin and dehydrated skin are similar. However, although they can look the same, they are due to different factors.
When dry skin occurs, it means that the skin is not producing enough natural oils it needs to maintain itself. This can happen for a few reasons.
A person may have a skin condition, such as dermatitis or eczema. Frequent washing can also cause dry skin by stripping the oils present in the skin. Additionally, some people naturally have drier skin than others.
By contrast, dehydrated skin is a result of insufficient consumption of water.
Examining the other symptoms a person is experiencing can help healthcare professionals tell the difference between dry and dehydrated skin.
Mild dehydration is common. One of the symptoms of dehydration is dry skin patches.
The patches might be rough, scaly, or itchy. People may also have more noticeable fine lines in the skin or a dull complexion. They may also find that their skin is less elastic, or stretchy, than usual.
Dehydration in adults
In adults, other symptoms of dehydration include:
- thirst
- dry lips
- dry mouth
- urinating less than usual
- sweating less than usual
- tiredness
- dizziness
- sunken eyes
- dark urine with a strong smell
Dehydration in infants, toddlers, and children
Symptoms of dehydration in infants, toddlers, and children can include:
- dry mouth
- dry tongue
- not producing tears when crying
- high fever
- unusual sleepiness or drowsiness
- irritability
- sunken eyes
- dark, strong-smelling urine
A person becomes dehydrated when they use or lose more water than they take in.
Common causes
There are numerous causes of dehydration, including:
It is worth noting that some people are at higher risk of dehydration than others.
People
Infants, toddlers, and children can also be more at risk. This is because they are more likely to experience diarrhea and vomiting than adults.
Certain health conditions
Some health conditions can contribute to dehydration. For example, diabetes, cystic fibrosis, and kidney dysfunction can make people sweat or urinate more often.
Some medications
There are several medicines that can affect the balance of fluids in the body. Some of the medications that can contribute to dehydration are:
Treatment will depend on the severity of dehydration.
To treat mild dehydration, a person should drink lots of water. Drinking sports drinks that contain electrolytes may also help.
Children who are dehydrated might benefit from oral rehydration solutions. These are available to buy over the counter in most drug stores.
Severe cases of dehydration can be very dangerous. A doctor will treat severe dehydration in the hospital. Usually, healthcare professionals will give a person fluids via an intravenous drip.
According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, to avoid dehydration, a person needs to:
- drink plenty of water every day
- drink plenty of water when exercising
- avoid sugary and caffeinated drinks
- drink more water in hot weather
- drink more water when sick
Mild cases of dehydration are common. People can treat themselves by drinking plenty of water.
However, sometimes dehydration can be very serious. It can lead to a drop in blood pressure and prevent major organs from working properly. Severe dehydration can affect the:
- brain
- heart
- kidneys
- immune system
Anyone who experiences mild symptoms of dehydration along with any of the following signs should seek emergency medical attention:
The body needs a constant supply of water to maintain itself and carry out essential physiological functions. If a person uses and loses more water than they take in, they will become dehydrated.
A common symptom of dehydration is dry skin. People might notice patches of rough, scaly, itchy skin. These might co-occur with some of the other symptoms of dehydration, such as thirst, tiredness, or dark urine.
Drinking plenty of water daily is the most effective treatment for mild cases of dehydration. Severe cases can be dangerous and need urgent medical attention.
