Can Stress Cause Hives

Can Stress Cause Hives?

If you've suddenly woken up to find yourself affected by red, swollen and/or itchy lesions or a rash on your body, and you haven't been camping or exposed to an allergen, your next question will very likely be "can stress cause hives?" The answer is absolutely.

Although most hives or skin irritations are caused by allergies or insect bites, there are other, less obvious or tangible, factors that can result in the trademark symptoms of red bumps and swelling that a case of hives causes.

Before attributing hives to stress, you should make sure that all other potential causes have been eliminated. Sometimes, a reaction to new drugs can cause hives. If you've recently been prescribed medication that you've never taken before, that could very well be the cause of your pain and discomfort from hives. If you think this may be the case, contact the doctor who prescribed the medication immediately to consult him or her. Drug allergies are serious and should be dealt with at the first sign of symptoms.

If, however, you cannot think of any external triggers like insect bites, food allergies, plants or medications that could have caused your outbreak of hives, stress is the next most likely culprit.

If you have experienced a great deal of emotional stress related to work or personal matters, this stress can cause an adverse reaction in the body. It is your body’s way of telling you to slow down and rest, which is the best treatment for stress related hives.

Most hives will disappear within 48 hours of presenting. If they don't, however, it is best to consult a doctor or dermatologist in order to identify the cause and recommend the proper treatment.

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