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Monday, March 16, 2009
by Skincare-news.com team
Urticaria — it’s a tricky name. And for many people who suffer from this condition, also known as hives, pinpointing the cause can be a real challenge, too. Here, we look at typical triggers, symptoms and how to handle a case of hives.
Causes
Hives happen because of an allergic reaction. Special white blood cells called mast cells release histamine chemicals into the bloodstream. In turn, histamines make fluid ooze out of blood vessels into skin tissue. This causes swelling and raised bumps.
So what exactly triggers an allergic reaction that causes hives? You can blame it on a multitude of potential offenders:
- Foods — typically fish, nuts, eggs, berries or dairy products
- Medications — especially penicillin and aspirin
- Irritation or pressure from physical contact
- Light and temperature extremes — like sunlight, very hot or cold weather, a hot bath or exercise
- Insect stings and bug bites
- Infections, such as yeast infections, or thyroid conditions
Symptoms
Not all cases of hives will look or feel exactly the same. However, general traits are often seen, including:
- Marks that might be pink, red or swollen, and some are bigger than others. Hives can appear in a small, localized region or spread out over larger areas, like the face, arms and torso.
- Itchiness, burning or stinging. These sensations happen because “swelling occurs in the epidermis, which has many nerve endings,” explains About’s dermatology guide, Heather Brannon, M.D.
Importantly, if you experience any of the following symptoms with your hives, head to the emergency room or call your doctor immediately:
- Chest pain
- Dizziness
- Difficulty breathing
- Facial, tongue or throat swelling
These are signs of anaphylaxis, which can be dangerous or even life-threatening.
Treatment
For severe, life-threatening cases of hives, doctors will carefully watch your breathing and blood pressure levels to make sure they’re stable. The doctor also might inject medications to combat the allergic reaction. If your throat or airway is swollen, you’ll probably need an oxygen mask to help your breathing.
When hives are non-life-threatening, various topical, oral or injectable treatment options are available.
- Topical.
Relieving the itching isn’t only important for your comfort, but it also stops you from scratching, which can “stimulate more hives and itching,” notes Everyday Health. Plus, scratching can spread infections due to bacteria on the skin.
Check out these anti-itch options:
- Oral.
Many different over-the-counter and prescription medications can treat hives.
- Antihistamines, commonly used for allergy symptoms like runny nose or watery eyes, are often recommended for hives. These “work by blocking the release of histamine from mast cells. It is important to take the antihistamines regularly because once the histamine is released, they will have no effect,” according to Dr. Brannon. Use caution with antihistamines, because many can cause sleepiness. They take time to work, and may not be helpful if stopped too soon, according to the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.
- Steroids, such as cortisone, prednisone or medrol, may also be used if antihistamines alone don’t work. However, because these are such strong drugs, they’re generally used short term.
- Drugs usually prescribed for other medical conditions — like infections, acid reflux, gout, high blood pressure, asthma, psoriasis or depression — can also treat hives.
- Injectable.
Epinephrine is often prescribed for people prone to hives, especially if they have insect allergies. It comes in pre-filled syringes for self-injection. Patients keep these “epi-pens” with them at all times in case of insect stings. They work instantly but only last a short time in the body, Dr. Brannon writes. Like other medications, epinephrine blocks histamines responsible for the allergic reaction and hives.
See also:
Eczema
Caring for Sensitive Skin
An Inside Look at Beauty Product Allergies
Sun-Safe Solutions for Commonly Missed Places
iS Clinical Review: The Chemistry of Great Skin
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A: Sadly, in many cases, it’s impossible to find the exact cause of hives. These cases are termed “idiopathic.” One theory is that the hives are autoimmune, meaning that the patient’s “immune system is attacking the normal tissues of the body and causing hives as a result,” according to the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology. In fact, some people with chronic hives have other autoimmune conditions, like blood or joint problems.
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A: Your doctor can perform blood or skin tests to try and determine the cause of your hives. If you can identify the specific food, medication, irritant or allergen that triggers your outbreaks, then avoid it at all costs. Also, keep antihistamines and any prescription medications on hand, so you’re prepared in case of an outbreak.
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A: It varies. After hives appear, they can last for a few hours before fading. However, they can come back and recur for days, weeks, months or years if you’re continually around the allergen that triggered them initially. When you repeatedly suffer outbreaks over a long period of time, this is considered chronic hives.
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