What Are Hives and Their Treatment

Discover the treatment for hive symptoms. Natural based  OxyHives can relieve you of the pain, swelling and itchiness quickly at home. See our favorite hive treatment.

hives children

What are hives? The medical term for hives is Urticaria. This is a common condition that can affect up to 20% of the population at some time in their lives. Hives can occur in a number of shapes and sizes from a few millimeters to several inches in diameter. They are red, itchy lesions that are not dangerous but make many people miserable. Although hives themselves are not dangerous they may be an indication of a severe allergy which could be potentially hazardous.

Many times the cause of hives is not known but a common reason for getting them is an allergic reaction. When you have an allergic reaction your body releases histamines which causes blood vessels to contract. This results in the dilation of capillaries allowing fluid to leak into surrounding tissues. This fluid building up in the surrounding tissues causes the redness, swelling, and itchiness associated with hives.

Hives can be caused by a number of different allergens including food, animal dander, mold and pollen. For some people hives may also be triggered by heat, sweating, exposure to sunlight, or even stress. If you suspect that you have hives or if you’re not sure what’s causing them you should visit your doctor for a proper diagnosis and to learn about various  treatment options .

Because hives are often caused by an allergic reaction, treatment will usually be in the form of antihistamines. In some severe cases oral steroids may be prescribed for short-term use. Other  treatment options  include topical creams and lotions that numb the nerve endings in your skin and help to  relieve itching . There are many treatment options available without a prescription that can be very effective.

Urticaria (Hives, Angioedema)

An allergic reaction that produces wheals and erythema in the dermis (urticaria) or the dermis and subcutaneous structures (angioedema).

Hives, or Urticaria

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Author: Jason Randleman

To learn about effective treatment for hives visit http://www.squidoo.com/Treating-Hives

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Remedy and Treatment For Hives

Hives can be treated easily.  OxyHives  a natural homeopathic product has been shown to treat hives symptoms effectively. Stop itching, stop your pain. Order you bottles of  OxyHives  and get the  relief from hives  you deserve.

hives child Hives treatment  is one of the most commonly sought medical interventions. Each year, thousands of people develop a case of hives, or urticaria. The raised, red or skin colored welts which characterize hives can cause extreme discomfort when they become very itchy, but generally hives are not serious. For rare cases which become serious, emergency medical treatment may be necessary.

In most cases, hives are an allergic reaction. Though they affect the skin hives can be caused by either contact with or ingestion of an allergen. The most common causes of hives are allergic reaction to certain medications such as antibiotics or codeine, ingestion of foods like shellfish, chocolate or berries or contact with pollen and cat dander.

The key to any  successful hives remedy  is to first identify the allergen and cease contact with it. If an allergen can’t be immediately traced, it is usually sensible to stay away from the known main triggers of hives until the rash subsides.

The main symptom of hives is a raised, circular shaped series of welts which normally appear on the throat, arms, legs and torso. They can range in size and number, depending on the severity of the case. The welts will usually change shape and size and even location, but they can always be recognized by persistent, severe itching. In some cases, hives can also cause swelling of the lips face and tongue. Occasionally, this swelling can lead to difficulty breathing. In these cases,  hives treatment  should include the use of a bronchodilator or direct shots of epinephrine.

medication for hives Once they have been diagnosed, you can begin to treat the symptoms with an over the counter antihistamine such as Benadryl or Claritin. If your case of skin hives is more severe or fails to respond to over the counter treatments, your doctor may prescribe something stronger. If you begin to experience swelling of the throat or difficulty breathing and you don’t have access to an epinephrine kit for allergies, you should seek emergency medical care immediately. If you do have an allergy kit, make use of it first and then seek emergency care. It is always safer to receive trained care for severe reactions rather than try to cure yourself with a home  hives remedy .

For less severe cases of hives, there are several effective forms of self help which you can use to relieve symptoms. Using cool compresses or taking a cool bath can help to ease itching. Never take hot baths, as this will only exacerbate symptoms. You’ll also want to avoid any activity which would cause you to sweat. No matter what form of  hives treatment  you use, be sure to wear light, loose fitting clothing and try to relax as stress can also worsen symptoms.

Because hives can be the result of an allergic reaction to medication, if you are taking any medication when you experience them, stop treatment and consult your doctor immediately while taking an antihistamine to alleviate symptoms. Most cases of skin hives will clear themselves up within a few days, but some may last for weeks or reoccur at regular intervals. If you develop a recurring allergic reaction, talk to your doctor and try to identify the cause so that you can avoid it in the future. If you have a food allergy, you should never hesitate to check with any restaurant you may be eating in to find out if they have any "hidden" allergy triggers in their food.

Though they can be persistent and uncomfortable, hives are generally easily treated. If cool baths or compresses don’t do the trick for hives treatment, you can try applying a paste of three teaspoons baking soda to one teaspoon of water directly to the rash to relieve itching and swelling. It is also important to keep your fingernails closely trimmed and avoid scratching at any cost as this can promote the spread of the rash from your hands to other areas of your body.

It is never pleasant to experience the hives, but it doesn’t have to be all consuming. With easy home remedies and over the counter drugs, most cases of hives can be easily cured and for those that don’t respond to these treatments, your doctor can prescribe stronger medicines to help. If you’re itching, just remember to relax, stay calm and breathe easy…it may feel like the end of the world, but your hives will be gone before you know it!

Author: Scott LeRoy

Scott LeRoy has been researching and analyzing dermatological applications and treatments for many years. He is a regular contributor to Skin Diseases, a section of http://www.skinsite.com dedicated to conventional and alternative treatments of various conditions.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Scott_LeRoy

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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.  Hives treatment  is easy with  OxyHives.

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."

cure for hives

"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.

 

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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

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Hives and Urticaria Skin Allergy Remedy

Find the quick  relief from your hives  you are looking for. Stop the pain and itching of hives easily. Get back to life the way you want to live it. Don’t be held back by a case of hives, keep a bottle of  OxyHives  on hand for any future outbreaks. 

Approximately one out of six people develop hives once in their lifetime.  Urticaria or hives  can be very distracting if not very serious; partly on account of its symptoms and partly due to the uncertainty in duration of cure.

Hives is an allergic immune reaction developed like a skin rash in response to environmental allergens. Skin is an important organ of immunity that acts as defense barrier to factors perceived as toxic whether internal or external. Generally chronic hives do not lead to complications and shouldn’t be a major concern as its an allergic reaction produced to something that would otherwise be non-toxic.

Symptoms of Urticaria

Raised warm itchy areas on the skin can describe all forms of urticaria. Non-contagious rash may appear suddenly on any part of the body, last for few hours and disappear. Symptoms tend to increase at night and sleep deprivation may worsen the condition. Bee sting and drug allergy can lead to severe complications like breathlessness and shock in addition to skin problems. Swelling of lips and tongue are some grave signs that would need immediate medical help.

Causes of Urticaria

  • Certain foods or newly introduced medicine can produce a surprise allergic reaction. Foods causing allergy could be nuts, seafood, dairy products, tomatoes, berries, eggs or gluten (wheat intolerance)
  • Inhaling air borne allergens like dust, pollen and mold
  • Stress and altered immunity can be inter-related and though ambiguous are more important factors
  • Animal fur, cosmetics and synthetic material
  • Insect bite and wasp sting
  • Extreme cold or hot climate
  • Rise in body temperature due to heat or exercise
  • Physical stimulus like pressure or tight clothing
  • Viruses may trigger hives
  • Illnesses like hepatitis and lupus can cause skin allergies and treatment of the disease relieves the rash
  • Hereditary causes of urticaria express themselves in childhood and need to be diagnosed and treated accordingly. Multiple allergens usually complicate the diagnosis

Urticaria Treatment

  • Systemic illness needs to be excluded before treating urticaria
  • Cold water shower
  • Loose-fitting clothing
  • Heavy physical exercises should be avoided
  • Sunscreens and warm clothing can be used in solar and cold urticaria respectively.
  • Identify and eliminate exposure to environmental factors
  • Gradual diet elimination is a proven way to detect sensitivities
  • Stress reduction by meditation and yoga
  • Antiallergics like H1-antihistamines (e.g. Cetrizine) should be preferred due to its non-drowsy effect and can be safely used without side effects or addiction
  • Steroids and epinephrine are used in severe cases with anti-histaminics to suppress the immune reaction. Steroids can help in acute attack but aren’t recommended for long-term use.
  • Lacto calamine application, milk of magnesia and aloe vera gel can be used as topical creams.
  • Dietary supplements and anti-oxidants to increase the immunity.

Hives Skin Allergy

Living with Urticaria

The probable causes and definite cure has definitely left the specialists too scratching their heads. Recurrent hives in absence of any detectable factor should direct towards stress as the cause. Thus, an effort to identify trigger factors, effective stress management and symptomatic treatment for an unknown duration is the main key to relieve symptoms.

Prevention of Urticaria

Finding out such allergens can actually be an impossible task. Avoid exposure to any food, medicine, or physical agent that could possibly cause the rash. A daily diary can help monitor and diagnose the food allergy. Though emotional and physical stress is unavoidable, it should be dealt with appropriate relaxation therapies like exercise, yoga, meditation and social support groups. Self-evaluation after stress management could help, as it would be difficult to assess stress thresholds and hence stress recovery on the part of the physician.

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