A red rash forms on the skin and these are not small tiny bumps likes an insect bite but are larger patches and with no definite shape and they may join up and form larger red, swollen patches which can be as big as dinner plates. They can form on any part of the body and they can burn and itch like hell. This is hives and a bout of hives can be a very painful experience. There are different causes of hives and what medical research says is that what causes hives can be related to a number of factors; it can be an allergy like hives rash breaks out after taking a medicine or after eating something or coming in contact, or from the environment. To answer one question 'can stress cause hives'? The answer is yes it is possible that stress may cause an outbreak of hives.

A normal hives attack last for a couple of hours and then disappears as easily as it appeared. Hives is distinguished by the white lining of the red swollen patches that forms when one is experiencing a hives attack. Anyway the skin itches so badly and is so painful that if one is near a medical facility one should go over immediately. If the hives attack persists over six hours then one must consult a doctor. In the meanwhile what one can do is trying and determining what caused the attack. Think of new thing new or different that you took or came in contact with. If you were outdoors did you brush against any bush or plant? The medical reasons given for causing hives is an overdose release of histamine which causes hives. This release can be triggered by a number of reasons. So if one has an attack of hives one should think of what caused it? The standard medical practice for getting over hives is taking an antihistamine prescribed by a doctor. Don’t try and be your own doctor as this is dangerous and can complicate issues. The test done for hives is to try and determine the cause of hives. What was it that caused the onslaught of hives?

The care one can take in case of a hives attack is to avoid hot showers as this can aggravate the situation. Try and put cold compresses on the hives patches or take a cool shower. Intense heat or cold can also cause hives and in case one keeps getting recurrent attacks of hives one must most certainly see a doctor as he or she is the best qualified to treat it. In some cases the attack can be so severe that one may be taken to the emergency care center in a hospital. The good news about hives is that it is not contagious. Wear loose clothing and wear natural fabrics.

Hives can be caused due to a number of reasons; excessive heat, cold, water (very rare), vibration, pressure, scratching. There is any number of reasons for hives and some people may have an isolated attack of hives whereas others are prone to it. Those who are prone need medical advise and those who have had a one off attack should tell their doctor about it. Keeping a record of what could be the trigger of a hives attack is also a good idea. Doctors prescribe different medications for hives as they have to first determine what caused it. If the hives is hereditary then any normal medication will not work as most medications are prescribed for a single attack and not for hereditary hives.

So knowing what caused the hives is the best way of the doctor being able to prescribe the correct medication for it. A test maybe required to determine the cause of hives in case one is not sure what caused it.