Treating Severe Hives
It doesn’t matter if this is your first case of hives or if you have had numerous severe hives episodes. You want the pain and itching to go away now. Fortunately you can have the relief you need quickly. Stop itching, get rid of the redness and get back to your normal life starting to-day.
They’re red and itchy. They may last for a few hours or days. They can appear anywhere in the body. They’re hives and they can make your life miserable.
Hives are raised , red, itchy areas on the skin brought about by the release of histamines and other chemicals in the body during an allergic reaction. Their size and number varies in different people and they may last for a few hours or several days. These skin changes may appear anywhere on the body, including the scalp, lips, palms and soles.
“A simple hive is usually a reaction to an outside irritant, such as an insect bite. Multiple hives, called urticaria, are usually an allergic reaction to some internal agent. Hives can be due to many causes: foods (especially shellfish, nuts and berries); medications; heat, cold or sunshine; infections; insect bites; and emotional stress. When the hives continue for an extended period of time (chronic urticaria), there are probably multiple trigger factors,” according to Dr. Robert R. Walther, associate clinical professor of dermatology, in “The Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons Complete Home Medical Guide.”
![]()
“Food additives, especially colorings and preservatives, can cause hives, as well as other allergic reactions. In recognition of this, some countries require listing of all additives and their quantities on food labels. Common culprits include tartrazine (yellow dye # 5) and the preservative sodium benzoate,” added Kurt Butler and Dr. Lynn Rayner of the John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii in “The Best Medicine.”
Aside from being uncomfortable, hives can be dangerous. If they are caused by a particular medication which a person is sensitive to, they usually disappear within hours or days. More serious cases are caused by insect bites or stings that can lead to an anaphylactic shock. This is a life-threatening condition which is characterized by the swelling of the larynx, difficulty in breathing, cold sweat, abdominal cramps and low blood pressure.
“Without prompt treatment (in the form of adrenaline injections and corticosteroids), coma and cardiac arrest can occur,” according to Dr. H. Winter Griffith, a Fellow of the American Academy of Family Practice, in “The Complete Guide to Symptoms, Illness & Surgery.”
The best way to prevent hives and its complications is to avoid the substance you are allergic to. If you haven’t pinpointed that cause of your problem, the following measures were suggested by Griffith:
Don’t take drugs (including aspirin, laxatives, sedatives, vitamins, antacids, pain killers or cough syrups) not prescribed for you.
Don’t take hot baths or showers.
Decrease activities until several days after hives disappear. Avoid getting sweaty or excited.
If foods are suspected as a cause, keep a food diary to help identify the offending food.
Avoid alcohol and coffee or other caffeine containing beverages. These may trigger outbreaks.
“The first line of therapy is to find and eliminate the trigger factor or factors. For symptomatic treatment until the cause can be found, the doctor may suggest cool compresses, soaking baths or lotions to alleviate itching. He or she will undoubtedly prescribe some type of antihistamine,” Walther said.
Tips for bath additives as ways to ease allergies and hives. Can a gluten allergy cause hives? Information about toddler allergy hives.
With so many allergy air purifiers on the market, finding an air purifier that can serve as an effective tool in your allergy management plan can be frustrating.
How many allergies do YOU have ? How many allergens are YOU exposed to each and every day ? How are YOU coping? Is there a final word on allergies after all ?
No matter what they are, allergies can oftentimes make life unbearable. If the point of your allergy is something you come in contact with daily, this can be especially true.
To strengthen your body, take Immunitril – your first line of defense in maintaining a healthy immune system. For details, visit http://www.bodestore.com/immunitril.html.
Author: Sharon A Bell
Sharon Bell is an avid health and fitness enthusiast and published author. Many of her insightful articles can be found at the premier online news magazine http://www.HealthLinesNews.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sharon_A_Bell
