If you have noticed red bumps, wheel formations or a rash on your skin, it is very likely to be Urticaria, commonly referred to as hives. They are usually caused by an allergic reaction of the skin but many times there is no clear cause of the skin condition.
If you have hives you may feel a burning or stinging sensation on the blotchy area. These blotches can really occur anywhere on your skin from your face and arms to your ears and lower back. They can form on your skin in different sizes from a small circle to a plate size. They can merge together to make up considerable blotchy and red areas on your skin.
Angioedema
A different type of hives, called Angioedema, occurs beneath the skin, under the surface. Clear symtoms is swelling around the eyes and lips and can occur around the genital area. It can last much longer than traditionally sins of hives but the swelling diminishes after 24 hours. A terrible form of Angioedema can develop in the throat and airways limiting breathing and potentially putting people at risk
Why do Hives Form
Hives and angioedema is a reaction to histamine in the body and blood plasma leaking out from small blood vessels under the skin.
A whole range of allergic reactions can cause hives from food and insect bites to sun and medication. All these cause a rise in histamine secretion that then can cause the hives to form.
Here are a number of other forms of the hives condition.
Acute urticaria last for under six weeks and is caused by a range of alligines including food and medication. Studies have identified that insect bites and some disease may also cause hives.
A range of foods have been identified to particularly effect hives on the skin. The generality in these foods are that they are all fresh. So stay away from chocolate, nuts, tomato, eggs and fish as well as milk and fresh berries. Cooked food has been seen to be less of a problem, which has led people to believe that it is the additives in the fresh foods that causes hives
Asprins and other anti-inflammatory medication like ibuprofen and painkillers like codeine have proven to develop hives.
Chronic urticaria and angioedema lasts for more than six weeks. As the name suggests this is seen as a more complex chronic issue. It’s much harder to identify what the causes are and in many cases it is impossible to properly identify. In severe cases the chronic condition can affect internal organs and the respiratory system causing short breath and digestive issues.
Physical urticaria is hives that are exclusively the result of stimulation of the skin either through weather changes like extreme heat and cold, exposure to the elements or through the skin reacting to pressure and rubbing or sweating. The hives are different, that they are reduced to the affected area and do not spread beyond that area.
Dermatographism are hives that are caused by scratching and bothering the skin. This form can be seen alongside other forms of hives.
Treatment
Antihistamines can be very productive in providing relief. Antihistamines works best as it builds up in the body so people can take it even before they get hives to protect them from getting hives.
Chronic hives may be treated with antihistamines or a combination of medications. When antihistamines don’t provide relief, oral corticosteroids may be prescribed.
Chronic hives can get antihistamines together with steroids to get relief from the symptoms.
Many sufferers have searched for appropriate ways to help themselves. A successful procedure has been to gradually identify the alligines in their body gradually reducing hives.