Introduction
Hives are skin changes caused by an allergic reaction of the body. They can occur practically anywhere on the body. They are characterized by their typical, mostly reddish color and raised structure, which slightly protrudes from the skin level. The development of a wheal affects the uppermost layer of skin. Occasionally, wheals can also be accompanied by itching.
Cause
The formation of wheals is usually due to an allergic reaction. The allergen enters the body either through food, breathing or through the skin and triggers an immune reaction. This leads to the dispatch of inflammatory cells and the release of histamine.
Histamine is a messenger substance that dilates the blood vessels and increases blood flow to the skin. The immune reaction leads to redness and swelling of the skin, which appears as wheals and can be accompanied by itching. Hives are also very common on the face and have various causes.
In all cases, a hives formation in the face is based on a so-called hypersensitivity of the skin. In some people, just stroking the skin, for example with the fingernail, leads to the formation of wheals. As a rule, however, it is mainly allergies that can lead to the formation of wheals on the face.
Often it is pollen, which occurs at certain times of the year and causes an allergic reaction. But also a sun allergy can cause the face to suddenly react with the development of urticaria. Urticaria is the term used to describe an area of skin that is covered with many wheals.
In many cases, the development of urticaria is also accompanied by itching, which is caused by the influx of certain messenger substances into the allergic skin area. In addition to the allergic substances that can lead to the formation of wheals on the face, a special irritation such as cold can also lead to the formation of wheals on the face. Especially in winter, when there is a constant change of temperature from outside to inside, the formation of wheals can occur.
Hives induced by temperature changes usually disappear as soon as the body is no longer exposed to the allergenic substance. If the allergic reaction persists, it is best for those affected to have a skin allergy test carried out by a doctor. Hives on the neck are usually also caused by an allergic reaction or hypersensitivity of the skin.
Rubbing, for example, can already cause the formation of a wheal. Sometimes a wheal on the neck can also trigger a very strong allergic and systemic reaction. This dreaded reaction of the body can ultimately occur to all substances in the environment or in food.
A reddening of the skin on the neck, which is accompanied by wheals, is then accompanied by other symptoms. These include racing heart, sweating, drop in blood pressure, tightness and shortness of breath. This reaction of the body is also called anaphylactic reaction and is a medical emergency that needs to be treated quickly.
In many cases, however, a wheal on the neck is not life-threatening and the allergic reaction only manifests itself in the formation of wheals. In order to find the cause, it is important to check whether contact with a certain substance has occurred shortly before the skin reaction on the neck. A wheal on the abdomen indicates that the body is allergic to a certain substance.
The reaction can occur, for example, through contact with animal hair or after eating nuts or other allergens. Even after taking medication, a wheal can form in the area of the abdomen. The best treatment is to avoid contact with the triggering substance. If this is not possible, a preventive drug therapy can also be initiated, which should lead to the immune reaction not being as strong.
