Itchy hives driving you crazy? get help here.

What are Hives (Urticaria)
Hives are an itchy swelling on the surface of the skin, which can be red or skin coloured. These welts or weals usually have clearly defined edges. They can be separate or link up to make large areas of raised skin. These welts tend both to erupt and resolve suddenly. They can also change shape, disappear and re-appear within minutes or hours.  A typical read welt will turn white if pressed in the centre (blanching).

Who Gets Hives
Hives are a common reaction, especially in people with other allergies like hay fever, however there are also many non-allergic causes. Cases of hives lasting less than six weeks (acute urticaria) are usually the result of an allergic trigger. Chronic urticaria (hives lasting longer than six weeks) are rarely due to an allergy. An acute viral infection, such as a the common cold, can cause acute hives. Most patients with chronic hives have an unknown (idiopathic) cause. Possibly  30-40% will have an autoimmune cause.

Causes of Hives

Many substances can trigger hives:
•    Foods such as shellfish, fish, nuts, peanuts eggs, milk, wheat soy and others,
•    Pollen, mold,
•    Pet Fur
•    Animal dander (especially cats)
•    Insect bites
•    Perfumes
•    Medications such as antibiotics, e.g. penicillin, anticonvulsants, sulfonamides and even aspirin

Hives may also develop from:
•    Infections like mononucleosis or illness (including lupus, other autoimmune diseases, and leukemia)
•    Emotional stress
•    Extreme temperatures, cold or sun exposure, especially in fair skinned people.
•    Excessive perspiration
•    Scratched skin
•    Pressure from elastic in undergarments, belts or standing for long periods of time.
•    Friction

What Happens When You Get Hives
Allergic reaction to a substance, causes histamine and other chemicals to be released into the  bloodstream, followed  by itching, swelling, and other symptoms.
Swelling  around the face, especially the lips and eyes, is called  angioedema. This can also develop around the hands, feet, and throat.

Treatment

As hives frequently appear as allergic reactions, antihistamines will usually be the main treatment. In more severe cases, oral steroids may be prescribed for short-term use. Alternative treatment methods consist of balms, creams and lotions that relieve the itchiness temporarily by numbing nerve endings in the upper layer of the skin. Other non-prescription treatments are available which are also extremely effective such as homeopathic drops.

In a case of mild hives, treatment might not be needed, they could well disappear of their own accord. To reduce the itching and swelling you should

•    Avoid hot baths or showers.
•    Avoid tight-fitting clothing that will irritate the area.
•    Apply calamine lotion.
•    Take antihistamines.
•    Homeopathic Relief
Although hives cause discomfort, they are usually harmless and  fade of their own accord. The exact cause of hives is in most cases, unidentifiable. Call your health care provider if the hives are severe, uncomfortable, and
do not respond to self-care.

Severe reactions may require emergency treatment. If the allergic reaction includes swelling of the throat, an njection of epinephrine (adrenaline) or steroids may be necessary. Hives in the throat could obstruct the airway causing breathing problems.
•    Anaphylaxis
•    Life-threatening airway obstruction, if swelling occurs in the throat

When to Contact a Medical Professional   

Call emergency services (911) if you experience:

•    Tightness in your throat
•    Shortness of breath
•    Tongue or face swelling
•    Fainting
•    Wheezing

Itchy hives driving you crazy? get help here. 

If itchy rashes are driving you mad, try the natural  homeopahtic approach.

Itchy Throat - Causes and Cure
Food allergies commonly cause itchy throat, itchy/tingling lips, swelling of the face, and hives (urticaria) on upper part of the body. Allergies to pollens, pet dander, molds, dust mites, and other inhaled allergens.

Food Allergies
Doctors believe that histamine is part of the cause of many common allergic reactions, such as rashes and hives, runny nose, diarrhea, nausea issues, itchy eyes, dry throat, difficulty breathing, and anaphylactic shock.

Causes of Stress Hives
What most people don’t understand is that stress causes different chemical reactions in different people. Only when you understand the causes and effects of your stress can you fully grasp what physical tolls it takes upon the body.

Cold Urticaria Hives and Heat Hives
They are very similar, however, the stimulus that causes the hives is the complete opposite. Both conditions can have hives that look similar. Both conditions can come and go. Both conditions only occur in response to the stimulus
  
Hives in children
You have probably encountered hives before on yourself, a friend, or a family member. Hives are large, red, raised papules or bumps..

Stress Allergy Rash
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.