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What are Hives?

Urticaria is the medical word for “hives”. It is most commonly caused by allergic reaction and generally characterized by raised, erythematous and pruritic wheals. It can appear in any part of the body including the face. One of the most dangerous characteristic is that it can occur without warning and you would not even know what caused it. A thing to watch out for is the onset of difficulty of breathing with could be a start of respiratory arrest

What are the Causes?

It can be caused by a number of triggering factors:

1. Food Allergy – this is one of the most common causes and usually the mildest one. This can be treated with over the counter antihistamine drugs like loratadine and diphenhydramine. Among all the other causes, food allergy can easily be pinpointed
2. Drug induced- this could be life threatening so when administering medications, extra care should be given to people who have strong history of allergy in the family.
3. Physical causes – this kind can be caused by contact from any physical surfaces even your own sweat can cause you to develop wheals and itch. Extremes of temperature like too much heat and cold are two of the most common causes in this category.
4. Idiopathic – a great percentage of people who suffer from chronic condition are unable to figure out what really triggers the attack. Idiopathic condition often last more than 6 weeks and the most commonly causing the chronic form.
5. Stress – studies has shown that even emotional disturbances like stress can be some form triggers.

How to Get Rid of the condition without Drugs

Since it is mostly caused by food allergy, an allergic prone person should be aware of what food he or she should avoid. Food that are known to cause allergy such as chicken, shellfish, peanuts, shrimps, mango and chocolates should be kept away from this person.

Most of the people who experience the attack should be very careful on choosing their cosmetics, soaps and even the detergents that would be used to wash their clothes. One very effective way to prevent the ailment is to use mild and hypoallergenic soaps and cosmetics. Extremes of temperature should be avoided as much as possible.

Chronic form can be very stubborn and very difficult to treat so prevention should be prioritized as much as possible. Psychological well being should be always optimum to avoid attacks. Stress management greatly helps. Another option is to apply cool compress on the affected area or take a warm bath with baking soda and cornstarch mixed in the water.

Another way of getting rid of urticaria is to use natural supplements and homeopathy. Homeopathy strengthens a body’s immune system and cures stress. A healthy immune system could handle allergens and minimize attacks. Aside from improving the immune system, homeopathy also builds emotional well being thus preventing release of histamine caused by emotional stress.

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Urticaria which is also known as hives is a skin rash that is often described as red, itchy and raised. It may be as small as a papule or a big wheal several millimeters in size. It is most commonly caused by allergic reactions, but there are certain cases that are due to non allergic causes.

There are two major type; the first type is that one that last for less than 6 weeks and more often attributed to allergic causes. Most common example of triggering factor is food. The second and the more severe type is the chronic type. This type of urticaria can last more than 6 weeks and can be refractory to most common treatment. This is less likely to be caused by an allergic reaction.

Management

It can be very difficult to manage, particularly chronic form. There is no guaranteed treatment or ways of controlling attacks. There are even an enormous number of patients with chronic form who are treatment resistant. Some common medications are suddenly losing their effectiveness and the patients become immune to the medication itself.

The most assured treatment is to avoid its triggering factors but this can only be exercised when the person knows exactly what it is, and this is not usually the case. Symptoms are often idiopathic or unknown.

The following are the most common treatment of hives:

1. Histamine antagonist – drug therapy is usually in the form of anti-histamines such as hydroxizine. Citirizine and for acute attacks, diphenhydramine.
2. Stress Management – while the disease is physiologic in origin, psychological management can also lessen the severity and the frequency of the attack. In addition, certain psychological means can also be done to shift focus away from the itch and discomfort during an attack
3. Tricyclic anti-depressant – doxepin is also often potent H1 and H2 antagonist and may play a role in the therapy of patients with urticaria/hives.
4. Steroids – can be given to patients with recurrent and refractory attacks of urticaria. This should be administered by doctors and must be prescribed.
5. Diet – one who is suffering from urticaria should shy away from food that have a lot of preservatives like canned goods and certain food that is known to cause allergies. This allergenic food includes eggs, chicken, nuts, crustaceans and even chocolates.
6. Homeopathic Remedies – make sure that you choose all natural ingredients that are guaranteed to be safe. Research on the ingredients first and find out its benefits as well as its side effects.
7. Practical remedies at home – application of cold compress and calamine lotion significantly relieve the itch. It also helps in resolution of the swelling. One should limit exposure to too much heat and cold since extremes of temperature is also known to cause urticaria. One should avoid frequent skin contact on the affected area because too much direct stimulation will worsen the itch and the inflammation.
8. Avoid stress and live a healthy life both physically and emotionally.

Urticaria does not need to be an all-consuming problem. There are a variety of ways to prevent and treat it. Consultation with a specialist such as a dermatologist or an allergologist is always advisable

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In simple classification urticaria is grouped into; acute and chronic but in each category there are sub grouping which are causes by different factors. The acute form manifests itself on the skin; new welts appear and disappear each day for about a week where it eventually disappears completely once the trigger factors are kept at bay. Most of the acute forms are caused by allergy or allergens that are inhaled, ingested or comes into contact with the skin. The chronic form is more disturbing and lasts for more than six weeks. Its causes are on non-allergic factors as viruses. Its treatment involves the use of antihistamines and other medications to curb other underlying causes as diseases.

Types of Hives

The classification is based on the cause, duration and other elements which make them very unique from others. Below are some of the common forms that attack majority of the patients;

· Ordinary form; it appears suddenly without any specific reason. The welts are noticeable in different several body locations. They multiply fast, itch severely, swell and disappear in minutes or hours, but only later to appear in some other places. This activity (appearing and disappearing) may continue to several days and sometimes weeks. Fortunately most of these reactions last less than six weeks thus could be classified as acute but if it goes beyond six weeks it becomes chronic.

· Chronic form; it refers to any form that persists for 6 weeks or more. In most chronic pandemics there are no visible differences on the welts between acute and chronic hives. Unfortunately some severe chronic conditions have been seen to last for over twenty years. Once the condition surpasses the six weeks mark allergy and other laboratory tests are deemed unnecessary.

· Drug-induced; this form has been proved to lead to serious cardio-respiratory failure. The Amaryl an anti-diabetic sulphonylurea glimepiride has been proved to bring about allergic reactions resulting into urticaria condition. Other risky medications include dextroamphetamine, aspirin, penicillin, clotrimazole, sulfonamides and anti-convulsants.

· Acute;itcommonly appears a few minutes after coming into contact with specific allergens lasting a few hours, days to several weeks. Food allergic (proteins) reactions suitably fall under this category. Food allergy triggers include ingestion of shellfish, nuts, eggs, fish, acid derivatives, dye or any combination of two or more of these.

· Physical; this is the urticaria resulting from direct physical stimulation of parts of skin. The most common physical form is dermographia, which simply means writing on the skin.

Other common forms

1. Infectious; this follow other viral infections as colds. They appear after the cold starts and may sometimes delay appearance to a few days after the cold is resolved.

2. Autoimmune: it occurs as the body experiences the autoimmune disorder while combating alien elements in the body.

3. Dietary histamine poisoning; it manifests itself when there is the ingestion of some histamine that is released by bacteria decay as in fish. It is a bit different from the rest for it does not have wheals on the skin.

4. Stress and chronic idiopathic: this is caused by the deterioration of health due to emotional conditions that surround a person at one time of life.

Other forms of physical Urticaria

Most physical forms are much rare with the triggers including extreme temperatures as very cold and hot; water and sunlight. Physical forms are often classified into the following groups:

i) Aquagenic: This the reaction to water (rare) to water either due to extreme temperature or compounds or chemicals incorporated into the water.

ii) Cholinergic: This the skin reaction stimulated by increased body heat as when working or exercising, or after taking a hot shower or bath.

iii) Cold/Chronic cold: Reaction to extremely cold temperatures brought about by ice, cold air or freezing water.

iv) Delayed Pressure: This is the reaction to tight fitting apparels worn for long periods of time as reaction to panty, or thong bands, bra-straps belts and other worn items including accessories.

v) Dermatographic: This commonly happens when the skin is scratched or injured in the course of working.

vi) Heat: Extreme temperatures as of hot food, objects, sun where direct exposure on the skin makes it react.

vii) Vibration: This is rare where the body is irritated by continued vibration of machines.

viii) Adrenergic: This is the reaction to adrenaline or noradrenaline but is extremely rare with very few cases reported annually.

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Types and Symptoms

To effectively treat any form of hives is a challenge; you need first to establish the triggers, or the cause based on the signs and symptoms exhibited by the welts or wheals on the different parts of your skin. Most of the conditions manifest themselves in a similar way; welts on the skin that appear and disappear daily. But there are extreme conditions that will come with other complications that might be fatal in the long run.

What to consider when diagnosing any form of urticaria

* Medications used recently which could include herbal and supplements prescriptions: many people do react to different drugs or catalyze/trigger the condition.

* Food; ingested, inhaled or and contacted; most high protein foods have the history of triggering the condition.

* Physical triggers; this include extreme temperatures-cold or hot, physical injury due to contact, exposure to heat, profuse sweating, extreme pressure, and prolonged solar exposure.

* Viral infections; this could include, viral hepatitis, infectious mononucleosis and respiratory viral infections.

* Exposure to allergens or irritants as perfumes, pollen and chemicals.

* Insect sting or bite; where the poison reacts with the body making the autoimmunity to respond or fail.

Basic signs and symptoms

In majority of cases the primary signs and symptoms are red-pinkish swellings or welts that vary in sizes. They either occur singly or merge into a colony. Individual welts can be up to an inch in diameter although those that which are caused by physical causes as injuries may com in linear shapes. The condition may be either acute or chronic with the later demanding more medical care and apt management. Some of the mild signs and symptoms are;

1. Itchy swelling that result due to the accumulation of blood or fluids in the cuteneous layer of the skin as the blood vessels are dilated.
2. In more complex cases the patient experiences relapsing fever, digestive disorders and prostration.

When do you seek medical attention?

The following symptoms should surely alert you on the severity, and urgent medical attention should be sort!

• Tightness in your throat-due to the boy reaction to the inhaled and ingested triggers. It is then followed by the swelling of the face and the upper body parts.

• Difficulty in breathing- this is caused by the blockage of the air-way by the swollen throat. If not attended to in good time it may be fatal as the body lacks enough oxygen rendering some organs unable to function.

• Tongue or face swelling-this signifies the presence of foreign substances in the body which the antibodies are fighting and depositing them in some of the body glands as saliva and sweat glands; this could be very painful especially every time you move the tongue.

• Fainting due to lack of enough oxygen and blood in the brain due to the dilation and accumulation of blood on the skin and blocking of the air passage hence limited oxygen is transport to all the organs of the body.

• Wheezing-this indicates the obvious blockage on the air passage towards the lungs.

Patience is required in the management and treatment of urticaria for it has a lot of discomfort and takes long to complete eradicate it. The above measures must be adhered to ensure total healing is achieved in good time. The application of skin lotions and creams may be included to clear out the patches which are very embarrassing especially if they occur on the face, hands or the neck.

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