Can anxiety cause hives?

Question

I get hives in a single hive and sometimes in a cluster of 3 to 9. They start by intense itching and as I itch they get bigger. Then the next day they will almost disappear or get so faded in color they will look like I was bitten by a mosquito. I have GAD and social anxiety and I am on lexapro 20 mg daily. They seem to come out when I am nervous or very sweaty and anxious. Can hives like that be from my anxiety?

Answer 1

Yes, hives can be induced by stress and anxiety, which is also called adrenergic urticaria. Adrenergic urticaria can be reproduced by injecting adrenaline into the bloodstream of affected individuals. Adrenergic urticaria is closely related to adrenergic pruritis, or stress-induced itching. I see you are on Lexapro, which may not be addressing your anxiety adequately. Please see your doctor to get your anxiety under control. Once your anxiety is under control, then you may see a decrease in the recurrence of hives.