Hives on the feet can be caused by any number of factors, although allergic reactions are generally the most common causes. Other possible reasons that a person might get hives include stress, medications, overexposure to sunlight or cold, perspiration, illness, and infections.
Allergic reactions to laundry detergents, insect bites, pollen, certain foods, and medications might be the cause of hives on the feet. Some individuals may even develop them due to an allergy to the material used in the socks they wear. In other instances, the soap used in bathing or the laundry detergent used to wash the socks might be the cause of feet hives. Food allergies, such as shellfish, dairy, or nut allergies can also cause this reaction, as can exposure to excessive amounts of sunlight, cold, and sweat.
Some medical conditions and illnesses might also be an underlying cause. Examples of diseases that might bring about an outbreak of hives include autoimmune diseases, lupus, and leukemia. Infections such as mononucleosis might also be an underlying reason.
High levels of emotional stress can also be the cause of hives. Stress can result in an imbalance of the hormones in the body, and any chemical imbalance in an individual can have an effect on overall health. In some instances, the skin may be affected and hives on the extremities might appear.
In some instances, an exact reason that someone gets hives cannot be determined. While they may cause a certain degree of discomfort, hives are generally not harmful, and they often disappear quickly on their own.
Symptoms of hives include raised welts on the skin, itching, and swelling. The majority will have well defined edges and may be either red or skin-toned. Often, these welts will expand and spread, joining to form large areas of raised skin. Feet hives may appear suddenly and disappear just as quickly, or they may stick around for an extended amount of time.
While hives generally will disappear on their own, some treatments may help alleviate itching and irritation. In some instances, however, hives on the feet may not require any treatment at all if the outbreak is mild. Treatments include showers, hot baths, antihistamines, or wrapping the foot in a tight fitting bandage. If a person has a severe reaction, or the symptoms persist for a prolonged period of time, a medical professional should be consulted.