9 potential causes of chronic hives

Researchers
suggest stress may play a role in chronic urticaria. They aren’t ready to
proclaim that stress definitely triggers your case of chronic hives, but if
your stress level is through the roof, it could exacerbate your hives–or
possibly make them last longer.

Changes
in temperature trigger the welts to develop in some people who have a version
of chronic hives called physical urticaria. Some are more susceptible to the
cold, while heat is more of a trigger for others. And when your own temperature
goes up, your sweat might even trigger the hives to develop.

Rubbing,
scratching, pressure, and constriction can all trigger hives in people with
physical urticaria. Sun exposure can also trigger hives.

Autoimmune
thyroid disease has been linked to some cases of chronic hives. Scientists are
still researching the possible mechanism, and there are lots of theories under
review. But if you have chronic hives with no other known cause, it might be
worth asking your allergist or dermatologist about getting tested for thyroid
disease. It’s possible you could have the elevated antithyroid antibodies associated
with certain thyroid disorders like Hashimoto’s disease.

Hepatitis
B, which is a type of liver disease, has been associated with chronic
urticaria. However, many people with hepatitis C also develop an acute form of
hives, so researchers are looking at the possibility of a relationship between
cases of hepatitis C and chronic hives, too.

It’s
definitely rare, but a few cases of cancer have been linked to chronic hives.
And at least one large population-based study suggests  people with chronic hives may be at increased
risk for developing certain kinds of cancer, like cancer of the blood or lymph
nodes. However, experts caution that more research is needed.

Because
it’s not annoying enough to have to cope with abdominal pain, bloating,
diarrhea, and the other typical symptoms of celiac disease, you may also have
to cope with an itchy red rash. Chronic hives are already associated with some
other autoimmune conditions, and celiac disease is considered an
“immune-mediated disease.”

As
we’ve already noted, some autoimmune diseases have been linked to some cases of
chronic hives. Add lupus to the list. Again, it’s not common, but some people
develop autoimmune urticaria as an early symptom of lupus.

This
is the catch-all category, but for good reason. Far and away, most cases of
chronic hives can’t be traced back to a specific cause. Chronic hives that
don’t have a known cause are called chronic idiopathic urticaria. Idiopathic
literally means “cause unknown.” As many as 80% of cases of chronic hives fit
into this category. But researchers are working hard to determine the root of
chronic hives, and today we have more treatment options than ever before,
thanks to this work.