Hives also known as urticaria. Allergic reaction to a drug or food is a cause of hives. They range in size from a few millimeters to several inches in diameter. Hives can be round, or they can form rings or large patches. Hives can occur on any skin surface, but usually spare the palms and soles of the feet. Hives are classified as acute or chronic depending on the length of the episode. Hives are raised, often itchy, red welts on the surface of the skin. Hives may be associated with dramatic swelling reactions; swelling of the lips, eyes, and ears can suddenly and grotesquely alter the appearance of an allergy victim. Swelling of the lips and tongue may occur immediately after eating a food and may be life-threatening because of airway obstruction. Some patients get hives occasionally only when they ingest a specific food or food additives. Other get hives as a chronic problem which can go-on for years. Most studies of chronic hives suggest a low % of food allergy causes usually because diet revision attempts were inadequate to reveal the hidden food causes. Swelling from angioedema can also occur around your hands, feet, and throat.
Hives and angioedema form when, in response to histamine, blood plasma leaks out of small blood vessels in the skin. Hives and angioedema can happen at any age. Angioedema typically causes swelling of the lips, larynx (producing hoarseness or shortness of breath), or the lining of the stomach and intestines (causing abdominal pain). Symptoms include muscle soreness, shortness of breath, vomiting, and diarrhea. Urticarial disease is thought to be caused by the release of histamine and other mediators of inflammation (cytokines) from cells in the skin. Histamine causes fluid to leak from the local blood vessels leading to swelling in the skin. In rare cases urticaria and angioedema are accompanied by shock and difficulty breathing. This is called anaphylaxis. Ordinary hives may be widespread and disturbing to look at, but the vast majority of cases do not lead to life-threatening complications. Sometimes hives are caused by a physical stimulus like contact with heat, water, or pressure. Hives can also be caused by contact with substances that are irritating. Just about any substance has the potential to be irritating.
The treatment of hives depends on the severity of the symptoms. Psychological treatments such as stress management can sometimes lessen severity and occurrence. The most commonly used oral treatments are Non-sedating antihistamines, including Allegra, Claritin, Clarinex, and Zyrtec, are also used to treat hives, expecially hives that last longer than 6 weeks. Chronic hives may be treated with antihistamines or a combination of medications. When antihistamines don’t provide relief, oral corticosteroids may be prescribed. Oral steroids (prednisone, Medrol) can help severe cases of hives in the short-term, but their usefulness is limited by the fact that many cases of hives last too long for steroid use to be continued safely. Other treatments can sometimes include doxepin (Sinequan), an antidepressant that can work as a potent antihistamine, montelukast (Singulair), and medications such as ranitidine (Zantac) or cimetidine (Tagamet), which are more commonly used to treat reflux. To mangage hives and swelling avoid hot water (use luke warm), gentle or mild soap, apply a cool compress or wet cloths to the affected areas, enter a cool room, wear light weight clothes. Avoid irritating the area with tight-fitting clothing. Apply calamine lotion.
Home remedy for Hives Tips
1.Calamine lotion-applying this lotion it can grant you relief from the itchy feeling.
2.Milk of magnesia on the lesions, provides some relief. As milk of magnesia is an alkaline solution it helps in removing the irritating itchy sensation
3.Stop the itching get 1/2 a tub filled with warm water, add 1/2 cup cornstarch and 1/2 cup baking soda. Soaking yourself at least once a day can make a lot of difference.
4.Applying aloe vera gel or vitamin E oil to the affected area at least twice a day can benefit you a lot.
5.Have nettle tea which is made by 2 tsp. powdered stinging nettles. You can add honey or lemon to add flavor your tea.
6.Consume cayenne pepper capsules to help the healing procedure. You can also have vitamin C, vitamin E or zinc for quick relief.
7.Herbal tea is very good for health. To soothe your nerves, go in for peppermint or passionflower tea. Other good options include chamomile, valerian and catnip
8.To relieve pain, apply cool compression on the affected area.
9.Make a paste with 2 cups of oatmeal and 3 tablespoons of cornstarch. Add a little water to make it into a paste. Apply to affected area for 15-30 minutes. It dries the hives up within a couple of hours.
10.Take cayenne pepper in capsule form to aid the healing process.
11.Take an Ice cold shower or bath and sit in front of a fan on high for about five minutes.
Juliet Cohen writes articles for health care clinic and home remedies. She also writes articles on beauty tips.
