Hives, or urticaria, are raised welts on the skin that may be itchy. Most of the time, they occur in response to an allergic reaction, but in some cases, they can arise during or after exercise. Usually, these hives are self-limiting, but occasionally they may require a doctor's care.
Symptoms
If you have an allergic reaction to exercise, hives and itching may be only the first symptom. Other indications of a reaction include skin redness, headache or stomachache. More severe symptoms include difficulty breathing, such as wheezing, choking or nasal congestion, and swelling of the hands, tongue, lips or face. You may feel lightheaded or dizzy, and your heart may beat faster. Rarely, you might faint or lose consciousness.
Connection With Food or Medication
In some cases, hives after exercise may only occur if you eat a certain food or take a particular medication before you exercise. Common culprits may include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen, and foods such as wheat, shellfish, celery or cheese. In order for your allergic reaction to be considered exercise induced, you must be able to consume the offending substance without any problems if you don't exercise.
Treatment
If you notice hives while you are exercising, stop what you are doing and rest. In some cases, the hives will go away on their own within 10 minutes. If yours do not, contact your doctor to see what you should do. An over-the-counter antihistamine can help control itching and reduce the welts. If you have symptoms such as a headache or stomach upset, call your doctor right away. If you have trouble breathing or swelling of the lips or tongue, call 911 immediately. If you have this type of reaction, your doctor may give you a medication called epinephrine which you can inject yourself with if the symptoms arise in the future to prevent anaphylactic shock and potential death.
Prevention
If your hives or other symptoms occur when certain foods are combined with exercise, you may be able to prevent an attack by not eating that particular food for several hours before a workout. If you cannot determine which food is causing the problem, abstaining from eating at all for a few hours before a workout may help. In some cases, your doctor may recommend a medication that can prevent an allergic reaction when taken before exercise. If you have suffered from anaphylactic shock after exercise in the past, exercise with someone who knows about the problem so he can call for emergency help if necessary.
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