Facial hives, or inflammation and swelling in the face, appear as distinct allergy symptoms of various allergic reactions. Face hives also constitute one possible symptom of a full-body allergy condition called anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis marks the most severe progression of a body's immune system response to an allergen, which may end in systemic shock and cardiac arrest. In some cases, hives may be the extent of allergy health problems; in others, hives may precede or coincide with anaphylaxis.
Food or Drug Allergies
Food and drug allergies are among the allergies that can cause face hives even in mild cases. The University of Maryland Medical Center relates that many allergy symptoms arise in the part of the body that comes into contact with the allergen. In the case of food and drug allergies, swelling and hives often occur around the face, lips and tongue.
The Medline Plus Medical Encyclopedia reports that food and drug allergies commonly lead to anaphylaxis, and that people who have experienced any type of allergic reaction before can develop anaphylaxis at any time. Patients may become sensitized to an allergen on first exposure and show symptoms the next time. In addition to the redness, swelling and skin bumps of hives, anaphylactic symptoms may include nausea, abdominal pain, breathing trouble and loss of consciousness.
Insect Venom Allergies
Facial hives usually develop from bee stings on the face. The Cleveland Clinic notes that nonallergic hives symptoms of bee, wasp, hornet and fire ant bites confine swelling to the local area.
If the sting site lies on the face, swelling will occur there in either instance. If an insect stings the patient on the hand or other part of the body and face hives develop, the hives probably signal anaphylactic swelling of the airways. As with food and drug allergies, anaphylaxis occurs more frequently in connection with allergic reactions to insect stings than with hay fever and contact allergies.
Contact Allergies
Facial hives are a frequent allergy symptom of contact dermatitis, according to MayoClinic.com. Irritation from allergens that contact the face, such as poison ivy or ingredients in cosmetics, causes local redness, pain, swelling, itching and raised skin bumps.
Animal dander allergies can also cause face hives in direct contact conditions, MayoClinic.com reports, such as when a dog licks a patient's face. Other allergic reactions that involve facial contact might include sleeping on fabric or feather allergens or using a strong deodorant soap on the face.
