Symptoms and Remedies for Hives

Hives are short term itchy rashes that could emerge and vanish quickly, usually within 24 hours. At times hives would recur at different spots on the skin. If they last for over a month, then they are considered to be chronic. Hives at times could become more serious and cause breathing problems. In some cases, an individual who develops hives has a harsh allergic reaction which requires medical attention. There are some successful hives treatment by which this skin problem can be cured.

Symptoms of Hives

Histamine release from mast cells which exist deep within the skin causes symptoms of hives. Common hives symptoms include:

• Sudden beginning, skin or red colored welts that resemble mosquito bites

• Welts change quickly i.e. size, shape and location

• Itching, welts commonly last for about 24 hours

• Angioedema i.e. swelling of lips, face, and tongue

Treatment of Hives

If the substance or allergy responsible for the hives could not be found, then the hives symptoms need to be treated. By using primary medications such as antihistamines, hives and itching can be controlled. Some of the hives treatments are as follows:

• Antihistamines such as Tagamet, Benedryl, Atarax, and Seldane

• Epinephrine injections are used in cases that involve life threatening episodes.

• Avoidance of unknown allergens

• Stay away from hot baths or showers, direct sunlight and extreme sweating

• An oatmeal bath could be calming and lessen the ruddiness and itching of hives.

Hives can be prohibited by avoiding heat, by keeping the skin temperature cool, staying away from alcohol as it causes flushing of the skin, by trying not to scratch affected areas and by wearing loose clothes that doesn’t put pressure on the skin.

If you can follow all the above procedures and take care of your skin in a proper way, you can always prevent yourself from this skin problem.

Can Stress Cause Hives

Hives are red, somewhat raises patches on your skin and are normally shaped erratically. They could be very small and spotty in size or they could spread over areas as large as CD disks. 

Hives could come and go within an hour or they could continue for weeks. Ordinary hives are those which appear abruptly, at times for no obvious reason or perhaps because you ate food which caused an allergic reaction.

Physical hives are the result of a specific spur to the skin such as sunlight, extreme temperatures or pressure. If they last longer than 6 weeks then doctors call them as chronic hives. Managing your stress levels is also important as each and every day you are under stress. At times you are aware of the stress which is affecting you but you can’t do much about it.

Stress is one of the reasons for hives causes. Chemicals known as neurotransmitters in your cells warn other cells that change is occurring and your body gets ready for a fight or flight response. One of these neurotransmitters corresponds with emotional changes and affects the major organs and the smooth muscle cells.

Your skin is the body’s largest organ and the signals sent by neurotransmitters cause red blood cells to produce clear liquid plasmacytes which have nowhere to go except in pockets under the skin. These are known as the itchy, red hives.

Remember, stress causes hives in more than one way and it’s vital that you keep yourself away from it.