Can stress cause hives like chemicals can?

Caution. Be advised that some cases of hives will cause shallowness of breath. If this happens or you’ve had them for over a week, see a doctor immediatly.

They are little 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 little pockets under your skin. Frequently, the hives will change location.

Most people know what causes their little bumps. They know that when they eat a radish, they will end up resembling one.

Some people develop the itchy little bumps after taking certain medications. Some causes are harder to find because they can be triggered by animals, mold, chemicals we use for personal hygiene, and some other diseases like lupus. The weather can also be a factor.

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.

In some people, one of the symptoms of anxiety attacks is itchiness. Stress and anxiety cause the body to produce chemicals called cortisol and adrenaline. An intestinal peptide known as VIP may also be produced. An overabundance of these chemicals is thought to cause an imbalance in the body’s hormones, thus triggering an outbreak of hives.

If stress caused the rashes, they will stay till the anxiety is removed. One won’t go away without the other. If they stay longer than six weeks, they are called chronic hives.

Chronic hives are usually more mysterious. Their causes are rarely uncovered, even by expert investigators. Fortunately, both kinds of hives respond to a variety of treatments.

What to do when the bumps start? Take a cool shower. Hot water will trigger faster production of histamines which will turn you into an itchy bump factory.

Doxepin is often prescribed where the doctor thinks that anxiety is the cause of the outbreak. It contains an antidepressant to help reduce the anxiety and an antihistamine to reduce swelling. If there are signs of clinical depression, then more treatments might 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.

Experts recommend keeping a diary of your surroundings when an episode begins. Note everything, the time of day, any food additives that might be around, any stresses and the location. Make a note of any new foods or chemicals like cologne that you are in contact with. It’s also important to note 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 displaying itself.