We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Conditions

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What are the Most Common Causes of Hives on the Neck?

Anna T.
By
Updated: Mar 03, 2024
Views: 93,475
Share

Hives on the neck are commonly caused by allergies, stressful situations, or certain medicines. People also occasionally develop them when they sweat profusely or get sick with a virus or other type of infection. Hives can be caused by almost anything, but allergies are usually to blame. They normally go away within a few hours, but in some cases they persist for as long as an entire day. Some people also have chronic problems with hives that keep recurring after disappearing.

There are many different allergies that people can have that might cause them to break out in hives on the neck. Bee sting allergies, reactions to various bath or cleaning products, and even food allergies can cause them to develop. Most of the time, the hives cease to be a problem as soon as whatever is causing the reaction is removed from the immediate surroundings of the person experiencing them. Sometimes it's hard to be certain that the hives were caused by allergies, and people often have to go through a trial and error process to find out exactly what they might be allergic to.

When hives on the neck develop along with other problems such as facial swelling, throat swelling, and unusual blistering or itching, medical attention should be received right away. If hives occur along with these other serious symptoms, they are most likely the result of a potentially serious allergic reaction. Some people have allergies to things like bees, peanuts, and various types of fish that are serious enough to be considered life threatening, and getting medical attention as soon as possible could prevent tragic consequences.

Stressful situations and nervousness might also cause hives on many places, including the neck. Many people develop neck hives after unpleasant confrontations with other people or just before an important event is about to occur in their lives. It is also not uncommon for hives to develop when a person is feeling scared. Anything in life that can entice nervousness and tension could result in this reaction. When they develop because of a stressful experience, they usually go away as soon calm feelings return.

Neck hives might also develop when people become sick from either some type of disease or an infection. There are also various medicines with side effects that may cause neck hives. Regardless of the cause, hives are almost always temporary. Taking showers in cold water, using oral antihistamines, and avoiding things that trigger neck hives are things medical professionals often recommend for dealing with hives. It is usually not possible to force them to go away, but they almost always do within a short period of time with or without treatment.

Share
The Health Board is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Anna T.
By Anna T.
Anna Thurman is a skilled writer who lends her talents to The Health Board. Her ability to research and present information in an engaging and accessible manner allows her to create content that resonates with readers across a wide range of subjects.
Discussion Comments
By fify — On Oct 08, 2013

This is kind of embarrassing but I want to share how I got a neck rash last year so that other people don't make the same mistake. I was at the mall looking at perfume testers. I usually spray the perfumes on those tester sticks or on my wrist to check the scent. For some reason, I sprayed one of the perfumes directly on my neck. It smelled good!

I walked out of there and went into another store. My neck suddenly started to itch very bad. I rushed to the bathroom and was shocked to see my neck red and covered in hives. I had an allergic reaction to the perfume! I washed my neck with soap and water right there and headed back home. My neck was still itchy so I took a shower to make sure the perfume was gone. It took several hours, but the hives eventually disappeared.

Ever since this incident, I never test perfumes on my skin.

By literally45 — On Oct 08, 2013

@turkay1-- Some viral infections can cause hives (urticaria). But if the rash is only in the neck area, then it's probably just an allergic reaction. If it was caused by an infection, the rash would have affected other parts of her body.

Many people have allergies to laundry detergents, soaps and body washes. Your instructor probably had contact with something she's allergic too. Food allergies can cause localized hives too. My cousin is allergic to strawberries and she gets hives on her face and neck.

By candyquilt — On Oct 07, 2013

I had class today and when I got there, I saw that my instructor's neck was covered in hives! No one asked her what happened, but it was quite bad. What might be the cause? It can't be anything infectious right?

Anna T.
Anna T.
Anna Thurman is a skilled writer who lends her talents to The Health Board. Her ability to research and present information in an engaging and accessible manner allows her to create content that resonates with readers across a wide range of subjects.
Share
https://www.thehealthboard.com/what-are-the-most-common-causes-of-hives-on-the-neck.htm
Copy this link
The Health Board, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

The Health Board, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.