Can stress cause hives like chemicals can?
First, a word of warning. Seek medical help immediately if an outbreak of hives includes swelling of the mouth or tongue, or if you have difficulty breathing. Always seek medical attention if hives last for longer than a week without a break.
They are small red bumps on your skin that itch like crazy. Some people describe it as a bunch of bees having a party in there. They are caused by hormones in the skin that lets liquid ooze out of your veins which gathers in small pockets under your skin. Frequently, the hives will change location.
Most people know what causes their small bumps. They know that when they eat a radish, they will end up resembling one.
The most common triggers are cold, sun and water. Other triggers of hives include: deodorant or perfume, pets, fungus, bacteria, or a disease. Other major causes: Viruses and certain diseases, such as lupus; medications, such as antibiotics and aspirin.
The skin is the largest organ in the body, and it is very sensitive. Stress is known to alter our internal chemistry, and can cause a hormonal imbalance. So, yes, stress can cause hives.
No one knows for sure what triggers an outbreak but, it is thought to be a combination of a chemical produced in the gut, adrenaline and another hormone released as part of the ‘fight or flight” phenomenon. Get all these together in overabundance and you could get real itchy, real quick. Some people get hives as one of the symptoms of anxiety attacks.
If your skin is allergic to the chemicals caused by stress, it will likely keep having hives for longer than 6 weeks which is the clinical requirement for chronic hives. Unless you can get rifd of what is bothering you, the bumps will persist.
Remember, chronic hives are not always caused by stress. Sometimes even experts in the field cannot find the cause. Luckily, there are many fine, effective treatments available today.
What to do when the bumps start? Take a cool shower. Hot water will trigger quicker production of histamines which will turn you into an itchy bump factory.
Hives that are caused by stress need two kinds of medication. One is an antihistamine to drain the bumps and another is an antidepressant to help the patient relax. One drug often prescribed is Doxepin. If it appears that the hives are one of the signs of clinical depression for the patient, other medications will be in order.
The itchiness is the same, no matter what caused it so it is really hard sometimes to identify what triggered it. Perhaps it is a mixture of stress and chemicals in your environment.
Sometimes finding the cause of hives involves some detective work. Doctors suggest keeping an accurate diary of everything when an episode starts. It is vital to note everything from the time of day, the food that’s in front of you, the location, the mood you’re in, the situation itself and how stressful it might be and also how long the episode lasts.
Sometimes, there is an underlying illness causing the hives episode. Always see a doctor to make sure that nothing more serious is showing itself.
