Viral hives are raised bumps or welts that develop on a person’s body because of a virus. They are usually itchy or cause pain and may last for as little as a few minutes or as long as a few weeks. Some people even develop chronic hives that last for months at a time. Hives are usually caused by the body's reaction to an allergen or irritant. Sometimes, however, they develop as the immune system reacts to a virus and stimulates the release of chemicals called histamines into the body.
The symptoms of viral hives are the same as symptoms of hives that are caused by allergens. In most cases, a person with hives will have raised welts that develop on various parts of his body. The welts may be different sizes and are often described as red or white in color. A person may have hives that cover almost every part of his body or just one part of it. Interestingly, some people have even reported developing hives inside their mouths.
When a person has viral hives, he may notice that they come and go. For example, a hive or cluster of hives may seem to go away for a bit. Soon after this happens, however, new hives may develop. Hives also are often accompanied by severe itching, and some people even report that they hurt or burn. Pain caused by hives is less likely to develop than itchiness, however.
An individual develops viral hives in relation to some type of virus. For example, a person with mononucleosis, the flu or cytomegalovirus may develop them. An individual may also develop them in relation to such viruses as herpes, Epstein-Barr virus, and hepatitis. Additionally, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which is the virus that causes acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), may also cause hives in some cases.
The development of viral hives is typically caused by the reaction the body has to a viral invader. In the case of viral hives, a person’s immune system goes into action to fight the virus. As part of this process, the immune system causes the release of a chemical called histamine that, in turn, leads to hives.
Treatment for viral hives may include treatment for the underlying viral condition as well as medications that temporarily eliminate hives. In most cases, doctors recommend antihistamines to treat hives, and over-the-counter varieties often prove effective. Sometimes, however, medications called corticosteroids, which are steroid hormones, are prescribed as well.
