What is the difference between hives and herpes

Chronic daily hives, defined as lasting longer than six weeks, are much more common in adults, although they do occur in children. Unless children experience prolonged hives, we usually don't test for an underlying cause. It's simply more expedient to treat them, since the testing is usually not very helpful. When children have chronic hives, we will test for underlying causes, such as autoimmune diseases, herpes simplex virus, hepatitis C, and thyroid disorders.

But even in patients with chronic hives, it is only in about 5 percent of cases are we able to identify an underlying cause for the hives. Consequently, chronic hives chronic idiopathic urticaria are very frustrating and puzzling, as well as difficult to treat. To relieve hives, we'll first try a non-sedating, non-steroidal long-acting antihistamine such as loratadine or cetirizine, giving one dose twice a day.

If symptoms don't abate, we go on to diphenhydramine or another antihistamine which is usually effective, but does contain a mild sedative. Cutaneous reactions to drugs. Lichen planus. American Academy of Dermatology. Accessed July 29, Varicella and herpes zoster.

Parasites: Cercarial dermatitis also known as swimmer's itch. Irritant contact dermatitis. Allergic contact dermatitis. Kliegman RM, et al. Disorders of the sweat glands. In: Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. Kalra MG, et al. Intertrigo and secondary skin infections. American Family Physician. Mayo Clinic Press Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic.

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Advertising and sponsorship policy Advertising and sponsorship opportunities. Reprint Permissions A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. These sores usually develop around the mouth and nose, but they can appear nearly anywhere on the body, including the fingers.

Where the rash appears will depend on where and how the person contracted the infection. The first symptom of a herpes outbreak tends to be a tingling, burning, or itching sensation in the affected area. This initial symptom might occur a day or so before the sores appear.

The sores can be tender, painful, and tingly. They tend to look like clusters of small, fluid filled blisters that become pustules. For a few days to a week, they will break open, ooze fluid, and form a crust before healing over.

The rash typically lasts for around 7—10 days. The first time a rash appears, it may last for different lengths of time depending on the type of herpes.

For example, oral herpes symptoms tend to clear up in 2—3 weeks, while genital herpes symptoms usually clear up in 2—6 weeks. When someone experiences a herpes outbreak for the first time, they may also experience some or all of the following symptoms:.

Once the virus is inside the body, it invades the nerves that supply the area of the skin it affects and stays there for life. There is currently no cure for this virus, and it tends to reactivate and cause symptoms every so often. The first outbreak is usually the worst. Learn more about what herpes looks like here. Herpes rashes tend to look like clusters of small, fluid filled blisters on a small area of the body.

Having an allergic reaction to an irritant can cause allergic contact dermatitis. Common irritants include antibiotic creams, cosmetics, shampoos, and perfumes. In infants, contact dermatitis may develop in the diaper area. Shingles causes a rash of blisters to occur on the skin. The same virus that causes chickenpox the varicella-zoster virus causes shingles. The first symptom of shingles tends to be a severe burning or tingling pain on one side of the body.

A rash of fluid filled blisters follows a few days to a week later. These blisters tend to appear in one area of the body, most commonly one side of the trunk, near the waistline. They may be tender to the touch or painful. Ingrown hairs look like pimples with a yellow center, while herpes sores look more like fluid-filled blisters with clear liquid.

Shop for hydrocortisone. Shop for witch hazel. Shop for tea tree oil. If you have a rash that you think could be herpes, look closely and compare the physical appearances and symptoms of your rash with those of herpes and other common rashes. Shingles, sometimes called herpes zoster, is an infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus. Learn more here. Herpes simplex virus is common in the United States.

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