Suffering from urticaria, more commonly referred to as hives, can be a frustrating and uncomfortable ordeal. This skin condition can seemingly appear out of nowhere and cause inflammation, itchiness, pain, and other discomfort to your skin. If you are dealing with urticaria and are wondering what could be causing it so you can address the underlying problem, there are many different possible reasons for your skin troubles. Get to know some of the potential causes for your urticaria and what you may be able to do to prevent and treat them so that you can be sure you are doing everything you can to avoid future bouts of urticaria.

Sunlight Exposure

Some people develop hives when their skin is exposed to sunlight that is too intense. For example, if you live in an area of low elevation and then go for a trip in the mountains at a significantly higher elevation, the air will be thinner and the sunlight more intense. When you have a skin sensitivity (essentially a mild allergy) to UV light from the sun, this change in sunlight intensity can cause you to develop hives.

A Food Or Food Additive Allergy

Another potential cause of urticaria is actually a reaction that occurs inside of the body rather than on the surface of the skin. People who have food allergies often experience numerous reactions if they are exposed to a food item that they are allergic to, including skin rashes and hives. Similar reactions can occur if a person is allergic to an additive in foods such as chemical preservatives or food dyes. If you notice that you seem to develop hives shortly after eating, you may be having a reaction to a type of food or an ingredient in the processed food you are eating.

Cold Exposure

Whether you believe it or not, it is actually possible for a person to have an allergy to the weather, specifically to cold weather. There is a condition known as cold urticaria and occurs when a person's skin is exposed to extremely cold weather or temperatures. During the winter months, people who suffer from cold urticaria will develop itchy and painful hives when their skin is directly exposed to cold air. Wearing a scarf, ski mask, hat, and/or gloves can help to prevent this reaction as can avoiding the outdoors for prolonged periods of time during extreme cold spells.

With these possible causes of urticaria in mind, you can be sure that you are doing everything you can to protect your health and prevent yourself from developing these unsightly and uncomfortable hives again in the future. Contact a company like Summit View Clinic for more advice.