Medical knowledge, Patient Education
Exercise-Induced Hives
Exercise-Induced Hives
Hives are itchy, red, swollen areas of skin. Exercise-induced hives are hives that are caused by physical activity. They can form on any part of the body during or after exercise. The hives may look like blotches or welts. They may be red on the outer edges and white in the middle. Pressing on the center of a hive may cause it to turn white (blanch).
-
Skin color changes (redness).
-
High-pitched whistling sounds when you breathe, most often when you breathe out (wheezing).
-
Coughing or trouble breathing.
-
Stomach cramps.
-
Headache.
-
Swelling of the face, tongue, or hands.
-
Dizziness.
Follow these instructions at home:
Medicines
-
Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
-
Keep an auto-injector pen with you when you exercise. An auto-injector pen is a device filled with medicine that gives an emergency shot of epinephrine. This could save your life. Use the auto-injector pen as told by your provider.
Managing pain, itching, and swelling
-
Treat symptoms as soon as they start.
-
Apply a cold compress or bathe in cool water as told by your provider. This may help relieve itching.
-
Wear loose clothing. This may decrease pain or burning.
Lifestyle
-
Stop exercising as soon as you get hives. This can help keep the hives from getting worse.
-
Avoid known triggers when possible.
-
Hives may be brought on by eating certain foods before you exercise. Watch for triggers or patterns.
-
Pay attention to what you eat for a few weeks.
-
Keep a journal to help track what causes your hives.
-
-
Always exercise with someone. Tell them about your condition.
General instructions
-
Pay attention to changes in your symptoms. Tell your provider about any changes.
-
Keep all follow-up visits. This will help your provider keep track of your triggers and other allergies.
Contact a health care provider if:
-
Your hives do not go away in 5–10 minutes.
-
You get other symptoms.
-
You still have hives after 1 month.
Get help right away if:
-
You have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction (anaphylactic reaction). These may include:
-
Flushed skin or hives.
-
Swelling of the eyes, lips, face, mouth, tongue, or throat.
-
Trouble breathing, speaking, or swallowing.
-
Wheezing.
-
Feeling dizzy or fainting.
-
Pain or cramping in the abdomen.
-
Vomiting or diarrhea.
-
If you use an auto-injector pen, you must still get emergency medical help. This is true even if the medicine seems to be working.
-
Do not wait to see if the symptoms will go away.
-
Do not drive yourself to the hospital.
This information is not intended to replace advice given to you by your health care provider. Make sure you discuss any questions you have with your health care provider.
