Hives andeczemaboth involve itchy skin rashes and are related to allergies.
About 20% of people experience hives at some point in their lives.
Eczema, also calledatopic dermatitis, is a chronic skin condition characterized by itchy lesions.
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Hives andeczemaboth involve an itchy rash, but thesymptomsaren’t identical.
While they have similar triggers in some cases, the causes of the conditions can differ.
This causes the body to releasehistamineand other chemicals into the blood stream, leading to itching and other symptoms.
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The cause of chronic hives is not well-understood.
Often people with eczema have a family history of eczema,asthma, and/or hay fever.
If your child’s rash is worsening rapidly, seek medical help immediately, as early treatment is important.
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There’s no specific test for eczema.
Both conditions involve trying to identify and avoid triggers.
Sometimesmedical treatmentmay be necessary under the guidance of a dermatologist, allergist, or healthcare provider.
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The keystone ofeczema treatmentis skin care and moisturizing.
In addition, it’s important to keep the skin hydrated during flares and in between.
In most cases,chronic hivesare not allergy-related, so allergy testing tends not to be useful.
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Summary
Bothhivesand eczema cause itchy, red patches on the skin, but they are distinct conditions.
Avoiding triggers is the best way to manage hives and eczema, but that isn’t always possible.
If your symptoms are severe, particularly if you are having trouble breathing, seek emergency medical attention.
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National Institutes of Health.Scientists identify unique subtype of eczema linked to food allergy.
Anne Arundel Dermatology.Hives versus rashes: know the difference.
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