Why Do I Itch When I Get Hives?

Sarbjit Singh Saini, M.D., Assoc. Prof. of Medicine, Allergy & Clinical Immunology, Johns Hopkins University
February 27, 2008

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Question: Why do I itch when I get hives?

Sarbjit Singh Saini, M.D., The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

Answer: In the case of hives from any cause we believe that there are skin cells involved in the process. These skin cells are also called mast cells and they contain a high level of the itch chemical histamine.

When these cells become irritated or activated, such as during an allergic reaction, these cells will then release the histamine and the major symptom a person feels is itch.

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That's why people feel itchy when they get hives and that's also why anti-itch medicines such as antihistamines are often used to treat hives.

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