When you break out in hives, you want relief fast.
This common skin reaction is characterized by itchy bumps or raised, swollen patches. Fortunately, hives are usually harmless and short-lived, a Chicago dermatologist says.
“A single hive tends to last for a few minutes to a few hours. Most hives clear within 24 hours,” Dr. Danilo Del Campo said in an American Academy of Dermatology news release.
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What causes hives?
Several factors, including sunlight, stress and an allergic reaction to food or medicine, can cause hives, also known as urticaria.
While anyone can get hives, Black women, people who have eczema, and smokers are at increased risk.
A 2020 study examined the ability of 177 medical students to accurately identify dermatologic conditions in white skin and skin of color. Researchers found that only 57.5 percent of the students correctly identified hives in skin of color.
How hives appear on Black and brown skin can vary from person to person.
If you have darker skin, hives are often the same color or slightly darker or lighter. If you have lighter skin, hives will appear red or pink.
For some people, hives may appear for no identifiable reason. In fact, for 50 percent of patients with hives, the cause is unknown. However, in many cases, hives can appear after the following: