Hives - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Hives are raised, itchy welts on the surface of the skin caused by hypersensitivity to a substance. Allergies can cause hives, itchy red splotches on your skin that come and go, but being evaluated for allergies as a cause of chronic hives (urticaria) is almost always a waste of time and money. When hives occur around the face, particularly around the lips and eyes, they are called angioedema . Hives are a manifestation of an inflammatory response of the body. Substances which trigger hives can come from many different sources. The hives are usually well circumscribed but may be coalescent and will blanch with pressure. Sometimes, the patches may come and go and, after remaining at one site for some hours, may disappear only to reappear elsewhere.

Hives are raised, often itchy, red welts on the surface of the skin. They are usually an allergic reaction to food or medicine. Hives caused by touching cold objects are often caused by infection and often stop after a person takes antibiotics. Doctors usually recommend avoiding aspirin, the most common drug cause of hives. In hives, which is also called urticaria, large red, raisM patches (wheals) appear suddenly on the skin, accompanied by itching. The patches can range up to the size of a half dollar or sometimes even larger.

Hives usually subside in one to seven days. If you know the cause and can avoid it, that is best. If the cause is not obvious and you are taking medication, any medication that your physician has told you is not essential should be stopped until the condition has disappeared. We know that allergies to foods and drugs can cause hives, but almost always hives caused by foods or drugs stop by themselves within a few days or weeks. Hives are the result of histamine and other compounds that are released from cells called mast cells. Histamine causes serum to leak from the local blood vessels, which causes swelling in the skin. The hives are also called urticaria. Sometimes chronic hives are the first sign of a tumor that may not show up for many years. Family history also plays a part in determining whether a person is inclined to developing hives. Although hives are can vary as to how itchy they are, they are usually uncomfortable to experience. Hives are harmless, but they can indicate a serious allergy or underlying illness. Chronic uticaria should be investigated by your physician. Hives - also known as urticaria - are raised, red, often itchy welts (wheals) of various sizes that appear and disappear on the skin.

Causes of Hives

Here are the list of the possible causes of Hives:

• When the source of hives can be determined, most cases are caused by ingestion of a substance.
• Many foods or food additives can also cause hives suddenly, even in small amounts.
• Allergy to pets, latex or foodstuffs such as nuts and shellfish. Even dairy products could trigger this reaction.
• Chronic bacterial infections especially sinus and urinary tract infections
• Wearing jewelry that is not very suitable for your skin
• Occult infections, infections that a person may not know they have, are a fairly common cause of hives.
• Many foods or food additives can also cause hives suddenly, even in small amounts.
• Medications. Almost any medication may cause hives or angioedema, but more common culprits include antibiotics, aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others) and blood pressure medications.
• Environmental elements also can result in the release of histamine with subsequent hives or angioedema in some people.

Symptoms of Hives

Some sign and symptoms related to Hives are as follows:

• The welts may enlarge, spread, and join together to form larger areas of flat, raised skin.
• Weals change quickly in size, shape and location
• Your skin swells which is covered by small or sometimes large red colored rings or patches. Wheals or welts appear all over your body which is very itchy.
• Swelling of the surface of the skin into red- or skin-colored welts (called wheals) with clearly defined edges
• Multiple hives
• Raised pink lesions with pale centers, ranging in size from ½ inch to several inches wide
• Unconsciousness
• Difficulty in swallowing
• Sudden and severe swelling of your face, arms, legs, hands, feet, genitalia, digestive tract and airway

Treatment of Hives

Some common treatment mehods of Hives:

• Apply cool compresses to the welts. This may reduce swelling and pain . If a large part of your body is affected, soak in a cool bath. Avoid hot baths or showers.
• Normal-dose antihistamines are often used short-term for acute hives.
• The standard treatment for hives and angioedema is antihistamines, which block the symptom-producing release of histamine.
• The best drug for widespread hives is an antihistamine. It may not cure the hives, but it will reduce their number and relieve itching.
• Continue taking your antihistamine for a day or 2 until you are sure the hives are completely gone.
• Check medicines you are currently taking for side-effects and ask yourself if the symptoms arose since commencing the medication.
• High-dose antihistamines may be necessary in more recalcitrant cases.