Itchy Skin With Hives At Night

What Causes Chronic Hives

For most people with chronic hives, theres no known cause. Rarely, medication allergies or food allergies cause chronic hives. The most common allergic cause is something you consume on a regular basis. Other types of allergies may also bring on chronic hives.

Some people develop chronic hives when their body changes temperature rapidly due to heat, cold or physical activity. Pressure on your skin from tight clothing may also cause the condition.

Itchy Skin At Night: Causes And Treatment

06/30/20228 min read

Every evening, like clockwork, it’s the same old thing. You get pajamas on and crawl into bed. But before you can get comfortable and fall asleep, you start feeling an itch deep within your skin. You try to ignore your itchy skin at night, willing it to go away.

Unfortunately, it never disappears, no matter how long you try to fight it. Eventually, your willpower runs out, so you give in and start scratching.

This cycle of itching and scratching can be maddening, not to mention disruptive to a good night’s sleep. If this sounds all too familiar, you’re not alone. Itchy skin at night is a common problem with many different causes.

• Stop The Itch And Get Back To Sleep

How An Autoimmune Reaction Occurs

You may be wondering how an autoimmune reaction can occur. The autoimmune reaction may be triggered:

• If a normal body substance is altered, such as by a virus or a drug, causing the body to recognize it as foreign.
• If cells that control antibody production malfunction and produce abnormal antibodies that attack the body’s own cells.
• A typically localized substance in the body is released into the bloodstream, stimulating an abnormal immune reaction. This could be caused by an injury.

Also Check: Can You Get Hiv From Licking Someone Out

Itchy Skin No Rash Toddler Or Child

Similar in adults, infants, babies, toddler or children can also develop itchy skin condition that does not show any symptoms of rashes. However, your baby can show up symptoms such as scratching the skin, restless, crying and change in emotions.

Your baby can develop itchy skin without rash due to a condition such as allergic reaction, skin infections, underlying illness, dry skin, and neurological disorders. If you notice that your child has itchy skin that has no rash it is advisable to seek the help of the doctor for diagnosis and treatment.

Favorite Tool To Virtually Identify An Allergy

Sometimes hives can be part of an allergic reaction. This interactive tool from AAAAI can help pinpoint the issue. Just click through a series of questions and mark where on the body the allergy is occurring and the symptoms youre experiencing, and youll be presented with possible issues.

You May Like: When Do Hiv Symptoms Occur

Signs And Symptoms Of Itchy Skin No Rash

The condition of having itchy skin with or without rash is also known as pruritus. Itchy skin without rash or bites is a common condition that can occur to anybody. However, the irritation and burning of the skin often occur in older adults than young individuals due to dried skin brought by aging factor.

The itching or burning sensation with no rash can occur anywhere on your skin. You might feel the burning skin sensation on face, scalp, lips, arms, palm of the hand, the sole of the feet, private area or any other parts of your skin.

You can develop itchy skin condition with no symptoms of a rash. A skin rash is any condition that is characterized by a change in texture and skin color. Usually, it can show up as small bumps, red raised spots, inflammations, tenderness, scaly patches or dry skin.

Itchy skin without rash simply suggests that there are no any symptoms of redness, inflammation, tenderness, tiny bumps, dots, patches, and scales. Your itchy skin with no rash can manifest in different signs and symptoms. They include:

• Tingling and urge to scratch the skin
• Stinging pain on skin that comes and goes
• Irritation or burning sensation on the skin
• Dry, scaly or chapped skin
• Tiny cracks or cuts on the skin
• Uncomfortable scratchy feeling on the skin
• Continuous scratching at a certain point on the skin
• Skin becomes more sensitive

Itchy Bumps At Night Gone In The Morning Symptoms

Itchy bumps have unique symptoms that distinguish them from other ailments that affect the skin.

• The part of the skin that gets inflammation has a distinct boundary.
• When one pinches the itchy patch it turns pale in color.
• While being itchy the bumps sometimes are sore and come accompanied by pain or a scorching feeling.
• They can occur on any part of the body system and are bound change shape, shift about, get lost and get to occur again over shortened time periods.
• A lot of people are not affected by reactions of the body system responses. For example fever, dizziness, aching of the muscles, pain in the joints, or headaches.

Recommended Reading: What Are The Early Symptoms Of Hiv

Other Reasons For Hives At Night

The scenario listed above is just one example of why hives breakout at night. If you dont feel that it explains your night hives, there are other possibilities. Try to think of what you are exposed to at night. Ask yourself the following questions to see if you can narrow down the cause for breaking out in hives at night:

• Have you recently switched the soap that you wash your bed sheets or blankets with?
• Have you used any products on your bed that produce scents?
• Do you have pets that could be shedding pet dander?
• Are you taking any medications before you go to sleep at night?
• Are you normally exposed to heat, cold, or water before the hives appear?
• Do you sleep with the windows open, or is there any reason that you could have been bitten by an insect?
• Do you eat or touch foods such as shellfish, eggs, chocolate, nuts, milk, berries, soy, wheat, or fish before bed?
• Could pollen be making its way into your bedroom somehow?
• Do you have more stress or anxiety at night?
• Do you sweat a lot at night?
• Are your clothes tight fitting?

Does Your Child Need To See A Doctor About Hives Or Urticaria

Maybe. Its a good idea to take your child to your GP, especially if your child:

• has hives that keep coming back for longer than 6 weeks
• is itchy, uncomfortable or finding it hard to sleep because of the hives
• isnt responding to treatment like antihistamines.

If the hives last for more than 6 weeks, your GP might refer you to a dermatologist. If the GP thinks your childs hives are being caused by an allergy, they might refer your child to an allergy and immunology specialist.

You should take your child to your local hospital emergency department if their hives:

• cover a large area of their body
• come up very quickly after a new food, medicine, bee sting or other obvious trigger
• are healing with blue or purple bruising.

Also take your child to hospital if theyre very tired or generally unwell or have a fever as well as the hives

Sometimes hives are a sign of anaphylaxis. If your child has hives and signs of anaphylaxis, they need urgent medical attention. Signs of anaphylaxis include difficulty breathing, a swollen tongue or throat, dizziness or fainting. Heres what to do: lay your child flat or keep them sitting. Use an adrenaline auto-injector if one is available. Call an ambulance immediately phone 000.

Read Also: How Is Hiv Transmitted From Person To Person

What Are Chronic Hives Treatments

Treatments for chronic hives include:

• Allergy medications: Daily over-the-counter or prescription allergy medications like antihistamines relieve itching and reduce or prevent allergic reactions.
• Allergy shots: A monthly injection of a drug called omalizumab blocks your bodys production of immunoglobin E . People with severe allergies can make too much IgE, leading to problems like chronic hives and asthma.
• Steroids: Corticosteroids like prednisone can ease symptoms that dont respond to allergy medicines.
• Hydroxychloroquine: A study found that 8 in 10 people with autoimmune disease-induced chronic hives got symptom relief after taking hydroxychloroquine , an antimalarial drug, for three or more months.
• Cyclosporine: This immunosuppressant is highly effective at clearing up severe chronic hives. But it can cause serious side effects when taken for too long.

When To See A Doctor If You Suspect Hives

Acute hives can be straightforward and may not require medical attention. But sometimes hives do warrant a visit to the doctor or the emergency room in severe cases. Its a good idea to visit your primary care doctor if you notice the hives continuing to appear over the course of several days or if you experience severe symptoms and discomfort. If the rash tends to pop up on and off again over a stretch of time, you may want to visit an allergist. He or she will likely run a skin-prick test to identify possible triggers that are causing the breakout.

Be on the lookout for more threatening symptoms, too. If you suspect angioedema , you should visit the emergency room immediately. You should also seek emergency care if the hives are associated with an allergic reaction and include other symptoms such as dizziness swollen lips, eyes, and tongue or anything that makes it hard to breathe. A good rule of thumb is that if youre having trouble breathing, go to the emergency room or call 911, Choudhury says.

Read Also: How Do You Tell If You Have Hiv

Stop The Itch And Get Back To Sleep

Itchy skin at night can throw a wrench in your sleeping habits. But with the right treatment plan, you can get your skin under control and get the rest you need.

Our experts at Bodewell are here to help you find the products you need to soothe your itchy skin. Our line of gentle psoriasis, eczema, and bath products can help relieve your symptoms so you can sleep like a baby night after night.

• Skin Tips

Change Your Pajamas And Bedding

Some fabrics can irritate your skin, making you itch more at night. If you think this might be the case, switch to pajamas and bedding made from a different material.

Natural fabrics, like cotton or silk, are usually best for people with sensitive skin. You might also want to try sleeping in loose-fitting clothes so your skin doesn’t feel constricted.

In addition to your pajamas, also ensure that your sheets are irritant-free. If you’re using fabric softener or dryer sheets, switch to a hypoallergenic variety. Take time to wash your sheets in hot water once a week to kill any dust mites that might be causing your skin to itch.

Read Also: What Are The Early Symptoms Of Hiv Virus

When To See A Doctor

If you have hives that are not severe and only cause mild itching, you can usually treat them at home. Most cases will resolve within a few hours to several days. If they last for more than a week or worsen, see a doctor as soon as possible.

If symptoms are recurrent, ask your doctor for a referral to either a dermatologist, who specializes in diseases of the skin, or an allergist, who specializes in allergies.

Based on your symptoms and medical history, your doctor may also want to check for infections such as hepatitis B or autoimmune disorders like Hashimoto’s disease, in which hives are common.

Hives Healthcare Provider Discussion Guide

Get our printable guide for your next healthcare provider’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.

Stress Can Contribute To Hives Too

Stress can be a factor in hives, but its usually not an independent risk factor.

Stress usually isnt the direct cause, and primarily affects only individuals who are susceptible to hives, Friedman says. Both chronic and acute hives can be made worse by stress, especially in people more likely to get hives, such as women and people with autoimmune disorders.

Also Check: Hiv Negative But Symptoms Persist

Itchy Bumps At Night Gone In The Morning Causes Symptoms Home Remedies

Some time in our life we experienced itchy bumps in our body, the itchy bumps are caused by swelling response that leads to blood veins in the outer skin. That is, the dermis found beneath the external skin seeps liquid. When this occurs, the accumulated liquid forms a patch which is elevated skin that tends to continue until the liquid is finally taken up by the neighbouring cells. Most itchy bumps occur during the night but in rare cases, due to many reasons one can have itchy bumps at night gone in the morning.

Hives At Night: Alpha

For the past five nights, including tonight, I have been experiencing a reaction of some sort. I assume that they are hives. The weird thing is that it only happens, well 95% of the time, the breakout starts in the evening. I know it’s not from a bite or something because they are in different spots each night I have had an allergy test ..that was done a few years back and it came back negative. Not allergic to anything. I know that can change, but I just find it odd that this only happens at night. During the day, I am fine just anxious know what’s to come after sundown. Another thing I noticed is that they are usually in straight lines.. not always, sometimes they are blotchy but a lot of the time they are in lines. I have taken benadryl every night for the past few nights didn’t work. Tonight I got a little bit of relief but I can already feel my body getting itchy. Hydrocortisone creams do nothing. I think I just apply them for piece of mind. I called my primary’s after hours answering service and spoke with my doc. I have an appt with her in the morning and she is going to do bloodwork and give me steroid shots, but I just wanted to see if anyone else has experienced anything like this before or know someone who has.

They usually last for the night. When I can finally get myself to sleep at night.. in the morning i am fine. They dont leave any markings or anything. They are just red and raised and extremely itchy.

Any input will help. Thanks in advance.

You May Like: How Did Magic Johnson Get Hiv

Mayo Clinic Q And A: Chronic Hives Come And Go With No Clear Pattern

DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I woke up this morning with itchy, red welts covering my arms and legs. These have shown up every now and then over the past few months, and now they seem worse than usual. What could be causing this? How is it treated?

ANSWER: What you may be experiencing is chronic hives. Hives are raised, red or white itchy welts on your skin. A sudden onset of hives usually has an identifiable cause or trigger such as insect stings or bites, medications, certain foods, allergens, or infections. Acute hives go away within a few weeks and are usually effectively treated with antihistamines.

Chronic hives are different in that they persist for more than six weeks. The hives seem to come and go with no clear pattern fading over the course of a day or two and then reappearing in a different location a few days later.

Anyone can develop chronic hives, but theyre more common in middle-aged women. Chronic hives can go on for months and even years. They can interfere with sleep, work and other activities. Itching can be severe and may be accompanied by painful swelling. Signs and symptoms tend to flare up with heat, exercise or stress.

One of the biggest sources of frustration with chronic hives is wondering whats causing them. The truth is that its hard to know. Up to 90 percent of cases remain unexplained no external factor or contributing disease can be pinpointed as the cause.

How Are Hives And Swelling Diagnosed

Your doctor can diagnose hives and swelling by looking at your skin. Allergy tests can help identify whats triggering a reaction. Knowing the cause can help you avoid allergens, hives and swelling. Allergy tests include:

• Skin tests: During this test, healthcare providers test different allergens on your skin. If your skin turns red or swells, it means youre allergic to that substance. This type of allergy test is also called a skin prick or scratch test. Skin testing is not commonly done if hives are chronic in nature.
• Blood tests: A blood test checks for specific antibodies in your blood. Your body makes antibodies to fight off allergens. The process is part of your immune system but if your body makes too many, it can cause hives and swelling.

You May Like: What Happens If I Am Hiv Positive

Common Triggers Of Sudden

Hives, called urticarial by the medical community, are common, uncomfortable, and unsightly. Hives affect about 20% of the population in this country at some point in their lives.

These red, bumpy, or slightly raised welts can occur anywhere on your body including your face, torso, back, arms, and legs. Hives can be small or large. They can be isolated or connect to each other and cover an entire portion of your body. They are usually itchy. Sometimes theyre painful or sting.

They often disappear within a day only to return, lasting for a few days or a few weeks. If they last longer than six weeks, theyre considered chronic hives, rather than sudden-onset hives.

How Can I Stop The Itch

In general, the answer hinges on what’s making your hands and feet itch.

Ointments, creams, and lotions can help when dry skin is to blame. If those donât keep you from scratching, talk to your doctor to figure out whatâs right for you.

An allergic reaction may need antihistamines or corticosteroids, whether over-the-counter or prescribed by your doctor. Some products treat scabies by killing the mites on your body. Skin conditions like psoriasis or eczema often require a more detailed treatment plan.

Whatever the cause, donât just put up with the itch. Youâre at a greater risk of infection if you scratch too much.

Show Sources

Don’t Miss: What Are The Most Common Hiv Medications