What Are the Causes of Hives & Facial Swelling?

Hives and the angioedema, or swelling of the face, must often come as an allergic reaction. Though most often harmless, serious swelling can cause fatal breathing issues.

Significance

• When a person experiences hives or facial swelling it is the result of an allergic reaction where mast cells give us histamine. That histamine in the bloodstream that leads to the swelling.

Types

• Reactions to certain foods, such as shellfish, medications and other allergenic substances, can cause hives and facial swelling.

Triggers

• Other factors such as stress can lead to hives. Factors like heat, cold and sunlight can also cause the mast cells to give off histamines.

Warning

• Hives and facial may also be a sign of some serious underlying conditions. Diseases that can cause hives include auto immune diseases, cancer, hepatitis or even the common cold.

Heredity

• In an inherited form of angioedema, low levels of blood proteins can affect the effect of the immune system. Without these proteins a person can be more susceptible to facial swelling.