Are Hives (Urticaria) Contagious? Spread On Your Body (original) (raw)
- Introduction
- Triggers
- Contagious
- Spread
- Is Close Contact Safe
- Specialists
- Home Remedies
- Prognosis
- Complications
- FAQs
What are hives?
Hives can be caused because of allergies to one or more things.
Hives are a particular rash that's characterized by itchy, raised, whitish, or pinkish welts on the skin. They may occur in one area of the body, such as the stomach or arms, or occur all over the body. Hives rash is triggered by the release of histamine in the skin and is caused by an allergic response.
How can a person get hives? A wide variety of foods, medicines, conditions, and chemicals can cause hives all over the body, including foods (such as strawberries and seafood), drugs (such as penicillin and sulfa), and infections (viral, bacterial, and parasites). Frequently, the agent that triggers a hives rash is not detected. Hives are also known as urticaria.
The main causes of hives all over the body, or widespread hives, include:
- Viral infections
- Bacterial infections
- Bee sting
- Drug reactions
- Food allergies
- Anaphylactic reactions
Drugs, infections, and swallowed foods cause hives all over the body (or widespread hives), rather than hives on the arms or the body. Hives caused by viral agents aren’t allergies and resolve within three to four days.
The main causes of localized hives, such as hives on the arms or hives elsewhere on the body, may include:
- Irritants
- Certain plants
- Pollen
- Pet saliva
- Contact with certain foods
- Insect bites (such as bee stings)
Hives on the arms or hives on the body occur when the triggering factor comes in contact with exposed skin. These localized hives are self-limiting and go away in a few hours.
How long will it be before someone knows if he or she is going to get hives?
Because hives are a response to a large number of different triggering agents, most people don't know if they're going to get hives until they encounter the agent.
- Sometimes hives occur rapidly within a few minutes to hours after contacting the triggering agent. Other times hives may take longer to develop.
- About 70% of patients who develop hives initially do not know when they encountered the triggering agent.
- Often the triggering agent is not identified.
Some patients know immediately if they're going to get hives if they inadvertently contact the triggering agent that has caused them to develop hives in the past.
Pregnant women are at increased risk of developing hives.
Are hives (urticaria) contagious?
Can you catch hives from someone else? Hives themselves are not contagious unless they contain agents such as viruses that can be transmitted from an infected individual to another. The vast majority of hives are not contagious. Hives occur more frequently in children and females. In general, hives decrease and disappear within about 24-48 hours if the affected individual is no longer exposed to the allergic agent. If hives last longer than days or weeks, they may be termed chronic urticaria.
SLIDESHOW Rosacea, Acne, Shingles, Covid-19 Rashes: Common Adult Skin Diseases See Slideshow
How do hives spread?
Are hives contagious through physical contact? Hives are not contagious and are not spread from person to person. For an individual affected by hives, the rash can occur in localized areas or over many areas such as the chest, back, and extremities. For some individuals, the stronger the allergic response, the more quickly and widespread over the body hives may be. Antihistamines such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl) or hydroxyzine (Atarax) may prevent or reduce the spread of hives in an individual. Epinephrine may be used in treating severe hives.
Is it safe to be around someone with hives?
Yes, it is safe to be around someone with hives, as hives themselves are not contagious. Can hives spread from person to person? The answer is no; hives do not spread from one person to another. They are generally harmless and resolve without any medical intervention.
However, if hives are caused by a viral or bacterial infection, such as strep throat or COVID-19, that infection could be contagious and might spread to others.
What specialists diagnose and treat hives?
Most patients who develop hives will need no medical treatment. Although pediatricians and primary care physicians can treat hives, sometimes some specialists are needed. Specialists who often treat hives are emergency medicine specialists, dermatologists, and allergy and immunology specialists.
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Are there home remedies for hives?
If your hives are mild and you need no emergency care, some things can help reduce symptoms of hives.
To possibly prevent or at least reduce the symptoms associated with hives, you can do the following:
- Cool the area that has hives with a cool shower, wet towels, or a fan.
- Wear loose, light clothing to decrease any irritation of the skin.
- Do not scratch or irritate the area.
- Avoid any known triggers of hives.
- For some patients, topical lotions may soothe the skin.
When will someone no longer get hives?
Hives are not contagious but result from an agent that is not normally in the body that triggers an allergic response. Individuals who become desensitized to substances that are used to trigger hives will no longer get them. This may occur as the patient gets older or by desensitization procedures by a specialty physician (immunologist or dermatologist). Alternatively, individuals who know their triggers will no longer get hives if they avoid them (for example, avoiding foods or medicines that are known to cause hives in a particular individual).
When should someone seek medical care for hives?
If hives become widespread and the person develops any wheezing, throat tightening, difficulty swallowing, and/or shortness of breath, the individual or the individual's parents should immediately seek emergency care. Such individuals may require injected epinephrine (EpiPen) to prevent airway compromise. Patients who have chronic urticaria should contact their doctors for an evaluation.
Frequently asked questions
- Are hives a sign of an infectious disease? Hives could be a sign of various bacterial infections, such as strep throat or urinary tract infections. They could also be a sign of viral infections, including infectious mononucleosis, hepatitis, and common colds.
- Can children spread hives to their parents? No, children cannot spread hives to their parents, as hives themselves are not contagious. However, if the hives are caused by an underlying viral or bacterial infection, that infection could be transmissible.
- Do hives require isolation to prevent spreading? No, hives do not require isolation to prevent spreading because they don’t spread from person to person.
- Are there any precautions to take around someone with hives? No, you do not need to take any special precautions around someone with hives, as they are not contagious. However, if the person with hives shows any of the following emergency signs, seek medical help immediately:
- Difficulty breathing or wheezing
- Dizziness
- Hoarseness or severe coughing
- Difficulty swallowing, drooling, or slurred speech
- Swelling of the throat
Medically Reviewed on 9/25/2024
References
Wong, Henry K. "Urticaria." Medscape.com. Sept. 16, 2020. http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/762917-overview.
Seattle Children's Hospital. "Hives." Accessed September 11, 2024. https://www.seattlechildrens.org/conditions/a-z/hives/
WebMD: "Hives - symptoms, causes, & treatment." WebMD. Accessed September 11, 2024. https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/hives-urticaria-angioedema.