Hives are raised welts on the skin that appear as an allergic reaction and are sometimes referred to by the medical term urticaria. Some people get hives after coming in contact with or consuming an allergen. Other people might notice that hives begin to appear during times of physical exertion, a condition called exercise-induced urticaria. Hives that are related to exercise may be life-threatening in rare cases, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), and should be treated immediately.
Step 1
Stop exercising when you notice that you are breaking out in hives. Continuing to exercise could exacerbate your condition or cause you to experience other symptoms, such as wheezing or swelling of the throat. These additional symptoms may indicate a life-threatening allergic reaction called anaphylaxis.
Step 2
Assess your condition approximately 10 minutes after you have ceased to exercise. The hives may disappear or you may feel other symptoms, such as headache or itching. Call your doctor if you have never experienced exercise-induced hives before. If swelling of the face or mouth or breathing difficulties occur, seek emergency medical care immediately.
Step 3
Take an antihistamine as directed by your doctor. Medications of this kind are used to treat minor cases of hives. Serious cases of exercise-induced urticaria or anaphylaxis may require an epinephrine shot before symptoms will subside.
Step 4
Keep a food diary to determine if something you ate before you started your workout caused your hives. Hives are often associated with food allergies. As reported in a 2008 "Times Daily" article, medical experts think that exercising might alter the way food is digested and can increase the risk of developing exercise-induced hives.
Step 5
Modify your exercise schedule to reduce the chances of being affected by exercise-induced urticaria. Your doctor may recommend you postpone your workout for several hours after you have eaten. You may be advised to take an antihistamine before exercising as well.
Things You'll Need
- Medication
- Food journal
