Common Triggers of Autoimmune Hives
Many factors may trigger the immune system attacks healthy tissues in the body and cause autoimmune hives. Common triggers include:
– Physical activities: Sweating is the main cause of hives when you work out. To reduce the risk, you may take antihistamine before exercises.
– Stress may trigger and worsen symptoms of autoimmune hives. You can practice some relaxation techniques, such as meditation, yoga, or deep breathing, to reduce the risk.
– Sunlight may be another trigger of autoimmune hives.
– Preservatives and artificial colors in foods
– Low temperatures [5]
How to Diagnose Autoimmune Hives
The symptoms of autoimmune hives are relatively similar to those of other conditions. Therefore, it can be difficult to diagnose. The first step is to rule out some common triggers. You may need to provide your doctor with information about your medical history, family history, and history of food or substances that you have consumed or taken. Allergy testing can be done for this purpose. Your doctor may also perform certain tests to know whether you would have other autoimmune disorders. These include:
– Autologous serum: In this skin test, a blood sample is taken and then left clot for 30 minutes. After that, serum is extracted from blood with centrifugal force and injected back to the body again to see whether hives occur.
– Basophil histamine release assay: This is type of blood test that evaluates the release of white blood cells called histamines after exposure to triggers. [6]
