If you break out in hives, chest pain is often another symptom. This can be a frightening experience for anyone. Hives is known medically as urticaria. Chest pain is not a normal symptom associated with most instances of hives, but it is not all that unusual either. In some cases of urticaria, chest pain can help your physician narrow down the possible cause and make a diagnosis. Reoccurring bouts with hives can be very difficult to live with for anyone. Hives and chest pain is even worse. And probably the worst part is that so many cases go undiagnosed. More than 50 percent of all urticaria is classified as idiopathic, meaning of unknown cause.
Sudden Urticaria, Chest Pain Could Be An Anaphylactic Reaction
Anaphylaxis is a serious situation that requires immediate attention. It often presents with hives, chest pain, wheezing, and difficulty in breathing. If you find yourself or someone you’re with experiencing unexplained urticaria, chest pain, and having a hard time breathing, don’t take the time to try to figure out the cause, call 911 without delay.
Allergic Reaction Is A Possibility
Hives, chest pain, and other symptoms can be an allergic reaction to something just ingested or something that the skin has come in contact with. The hives will usually go away in fairly short order and can be relieved with an antihistamine like Benadryl. If you keep on having attacks of hives, or if they become chronic and are lasting longer than 6 weeks, allergies are not the likely culprit. Although not life threatening, there are few conditions more difficult to live with then hives. Chest pain and hives together can become unbearable for anyone and are probably caused by something other than an allergic reaction if they keep coming back.
Could Be A Viral/Bacteria Problem
Most people don’t know that viruses and infections are very often the cause of urticaria. Chest pain will accompany the hives condition in many cases. Tests can be done to verify it but one example of a bacteria that can cause hives is Helicobacter Pylori.
Helicobacter Pylori is a spiral shaped bacteria that was first found in the human stomach in the 1980’s. It has been connected to many gastrointestinal diseases like peptic ulcers, and has been shown to increase the risk of stomach cancer. It is associated with about 80% of all cases of gastric ulcers. The removal of this infection not only helps to heal the ulcers but also symptoms like hives, chest pain, stomach pain, and nausea. You can be tested for this infection and may be surprised that it is a cause of your urticaria. Chest pain and nausea will go away as well and treatment can be effective in 2 – 4 weeks.
Hives, chest pain, and many other symptoms are caused by infection. Don’t overlook this important possibility when trying to diagnose the cause of your hives. It is an immune system response after all, and the answer is usually found in dealing with the immune system for any long-term solution to a hives problem.