What causes itchy hives?

Knowing the cause of hives can help you to manage the condition. Even when the cause is not known, it can be effectively managed.

Infection is a common cause of acute hives, especially in infants and children. Allergy to plants, animals, food, medication or insect stings can also be a cause.¹ Hives usually occur within 1-2 hours and disappear after 6-8 hours.¹ Allergic hives are suspected if the episodes are short-lived and occur under specific circumstances – e.g. within 2 hours after a meal. Allergy can also affect other parts of the body and can involve stomach pain, vomiting, difficulty breathing or dizziness.¹

Chronic hives can be spontaneous, with the hives appearing anywhere on the body at any time, or they can be triggered by physical factors

• The causes of chronic spontaneous hives may involve an underlying infection or the immune system; the triggers are usually not known^1,2
• Chronic inducible urticaria is triggered by physical factors such as pressure, temperature or light; hives usually appear on the area of skin that was exposed to the trigger¹
• Treatment involves avoiding or reducing exposure to the trigger (if known) and medications to relieve symptoms.³

For some of these treatments you need to be in the care of an immunologist or dermatologist. Speak to your GP about a referral to an urticaria specialist.

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