Hives and skin rashes are uncomfortable changes in your skin’s appearance and texture. Possible causes of hives include sun exposure, allergic reactions and dietary imbalances. A high intake of vitamin C may provide some health benefits, but too much of this nutrient can be risky. Hives and rashes may indicate serious healthy problems, so consult your doctor if you have unexplained symptoms.
Background
Hives are raised, red itchy bumps on your skin, and a rash is a general term for patches of discolored skin. Hives and rashes may be linked to a particular event, or they can be chronic conditions that may alternatively appear and disappear for days or weeks at a time. Along with being a heart-healthy antioxidant, vitamin C is necessary for collagen synthesis in healthy skin, according to the Linus Pauling Institute Micronutrient Information Center. Vitamin C toxicity is rare, and is not directly associated with hives or rashes.
Cross-reactivity
Cross-reactivity describes an allergic reaction to proteins in fruits and vegetables. The phenomenon occurs in individuals with food allergies who eat certain fruits and vegetables, according to MayoClinic.com. Individuals who are allergic to birch, ragweed and mugwort pollens and grasses may also experience symptoms of allergic reactions as the result of eating certain fruits, vegetables and spices. Tomatoes, peaches, melons and white potatoes are example of sources of vitamin C that might trigger cross-reactivity. A breakout of hives is a common allergic reaction, and vitamin C-rich foods can lead to hives as the result of cross-reactivity.
Vitamin C Recommendations
The recommended dietary allowance for vitamin C is 90 milligrams per day for adult males, and 75 milligrams per day for women, according to the Institute of Medicine. Breastfeeding women need about 120 milligrams per day, and smokers and women on contraceptives may also have increased needs, according to the Linus Pauling Institute Micronutrient Information Center. The maximum daily amount considered safe is 2,000 milligrams per day. Your risk for kidney stones may increase if you get more than 10,000 milligrams per day.
Dietary Supplements
You can get at least 100 percent of the daily value for vitamin C from a medium orange, a glass of orange or grapefruit juice, a cup of strawberries or a half-cup of red pepper, according to the Linus Pauling Institute. Higher intakes of vitamin C may lower your risk for heart disease, gout and cataracts. Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin, so you instead of storing large amounts, you tend to excrete excess vitamin C in your urine. Vitamin C toxicity from food is not likely, and you can reduce your risk of toxicity from supplements by limiting your intake to less than the tolerable upper level of intake of 2,000 milligrams per day. However, vitamin C supplements tend to have corn-based ingredients, so if you have corn sensitivities that cause hives, you may need to avoid these supplements, according to the University of Maryland.
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