How Do They Occur
Clusters of hives may appear as a reaction to an allergen such as food, medicine, or an insect bite or sting. Hives may also occur as a reaction to infection or emotional stress. Histamine, a chemical your body makes, is released in response to the irritant that causes the hives to form. Histamine causes the redness, swelling, and itching. Often the cause of the hives cannot be determined.
What Are The Different Types Of Hives
Acute episodes of urticaria last for six weeks or less. Acute urticaria can be due to infections foods, medications, insect stings, blood transfusions and infections. The most common cause of hives is infections. Foods such as eggs, nuts and shellfish are common causes of urticaria. Medications such as aspirin and antibiotics also are common causes of hives. Infections causing hives include the common cold, and other viral infections. In most of these cases, when the reason for hives is removed or avoided, the hives resolve.
Chronic episodes of urticaria last more than six weeks. In most cases, the cause of chronic hives will not be identified despite testing. Half of the patients have antibodies that attack the mast cell . This triggers chemicals such as histamine to be released which causes the hives and itching. Even though hives are associated with other autoimmune conditions such as thyroid disease, treating the other condition doesnt cure the hives. Rarely, chronic urticaria has been associated with cancer. In most cases of chronic urticaria, the hives will gradually disappear over time.
How To Get Rid Of A Rash: 6 Home Remedies
No matter your age, youve probably experienced a rash at some point in your life, but do you know how to get rid of a rash? Rashes come in so many varieties. Sometimes the reason may be obvious while other times it can be really hard to put your finger on the root cause. Rashes can be caused by an allergen or food irritant, clothing or household chemicals. Medications, poor digestion, or illness may also cause rashes or hives.
Some rashes come out of nowhere while others take several days to form on your skin. How long does it take for a rash to go away? Well, it depends on a few factors including what type of rash it is and how quickly the inflammation can be reduced. Some will go away as quickly as they appeared while others may linger for longer periods of time. The good news is there are many natural rash home remedies that can work fast without adverse side effects. If youre experiencing a rash this very moment, Im sure youre eager to know how to get rid of a rash fast!
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Hives Treatment: 9 Natural Home Remedies
Have you ever had red, raised, itchy bumps that came out of nowhere? If the answer is yes, then you likely have already experienced hives at some point in your life. Hives can really startle you when they suddenly appear on your skin. Most often they are due to some type of allergic reaction. Thankfully, theyre typically not long lasting and relatively harmless. But, sometimes hives can indicate a life-threatening allergic reaction, or they can become chronic.
How do you get hives? Hives are not something you can catch from anyone. Rather, they are your bodys response to something it ingests or experiences. The cause of hives can be a certain food, drug, infection or stress. You might be surprised to learn that stress is one of the most common causes of acute hives, along with allergies and infectious causes. Hives can literally occur at any age and appear anywhere on the body. It is estimated that one in every five people will be affected by a hives outbreak at some point in his or her life.
Chronic Urticaria And Chronic Angioedema
Chronic urticaria and chronic angioedema last for more than 6 weeks .
In these conditions, a person will typically experience daily, or almost daily, symptoms without an allergic, infectious, or drug-related cause.
Chronic urticaria and chronic angioedema more commonly result from underlying medical causes, such as thyroid disease, cancer, or hepatitis.
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A Pharmacist Can Help With Hives
Your pharmacist can give you advice about antihistamine tablets to bring down your hives rash.
Tell your pharmacist if you have a long-term condition you might not be able to take antihistamines.
They also may not be suitable for young children under 2. Ask your pharmacist for advice before giving your child any antihistamines.
When To See Your Doctor About Hives
While hives can be uncomfortable, theyre usually harmless and disappear within minutes or hours. Sometimes they hang around for a few days. Seek emergency medical treatment if you develop hives around your eyes or in your mouth or experience difficulty breathing, wheezing, light-headedness, or dizziness.
You may have a life-threatening condition called anaphylaxis, and the internal tissue swelling can block breathing passages. If youre prone to hives, ask your doctor if you should carry a rapid-injection form of epinephrine in case you develop anaphylaxis. And if you have chronic hives that just dont respond to milder treatments, your doctor may prescribe oral steroids.
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About Hives Or Urticaria
Hives or urticaria are raised spots that form a very itchy rash. Theyre usually harmless.
Hives develop when the body releases histamines. The histamine makes small blood vessels in the skin open up and leak fluid, which forms raised patches on the skin surface.
Hives can have several causes.
They might be caused by an allergic reaction.
Viral infections like those that cause colds or diarrhoea can also cause hives in children.
Your child might also develop hives because of heat, or tight-fitting or scratchy clothing, particularly if your child has eczema.
Some children develop hives for no obvious reason.
Hives are very common but not contagious.
How To Get Rid Of A Rash: Natural Rash Home Remedies
Have you been searching how to get rid of rash home remedies? Look no further because there are so many natural rash home remedies to improve a rash quickly. Here are some of the ways of how to get rid of a rash holistically using foods and supplements, as well as essential oils.
Top Foods to Reduce Rashes
Organic foods By choosing organic foods, especially when it comes to produces dirty dozen, you help to reduce your exposure to toxins and chemicals.Orange and yellow fruits and vegetables These provide carotenoids like beta-carotene, which studies have shown can can help improve resistance to rashes triggered by the sun. Clean lean protein Sufficient protein helps the immune system guard against infections that cause rashes. Aim for three to four ounces of protein minimum per meal. However, shellfish is a protein that is known to be problematic for many people.Flax and chia seeds Can reduce systemic inflammation leading to a reduction in symptoms. I recommend adding ground chia or flax seeds to salads and smoothies.Cold-pressed oils Look for oils that are not heated above 129 degrees during pressing such as olive oil and coconut oil.
Foods to Avoid
Supplements
#1 Vitamin C Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant and has antihistamine properties, which can help to reduce the inflammation of a rash.
#2 Nettle leaf Shown to be effective in reducing hives because it reduces overall histamine production.
#4 Green superfood drink
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Avoid Certain Products That May Irritate The Skin
Certain soaps may dry your skin and cause more itching when you have hives. Make sure to use a soap thats marketed for sensitive skin. Find a great selection here. These typically omit fragrance and other irritating chemicals.
You should also avoid using irritating moisturizers or lotions. When in doubt, opt for a formula that targets sensitive skin, such as these options. Applying immediately after bathing may also help soothe the itch.
How Can I Prevent Hives
Acute hives
Your healthcare provider can use the results of allergy tests to help you figure out which substances bring on acute hives. Once you know your triggers, you can avoid them. You may want to:
- Cut certain food products out of your diet.
- Reduce exposure to airborne allergens.
- Switch to detergents and soaps without scents or dyes.
- Avoid extreme changes in temperature.
- Relax and take a break when youre stressed or overworked.
- Wear loose-fitting, lightweight clothing.
Some of these tips can also help with chronic hives.
Chronic hives
It may not be possible to prevent chronic hives. Your provider may not be able to find exactly what causes them. They may also be a part of a bigger medical condition that affects your immune system.
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Symptoms Of Hives Or Urticaria
Hives look like raised spots that merge together to form large patches. On children with darker skin, the spots might look brown, purple or grey. On children with lighter skin, the spots might look red or white.
They can happen anywhere on the skin, but theyre often found on the chest, stomach or back. They also tend to move around the body. For example, your child might get a patch that comes and goes on their stomach. Then they might get a patch that comes and goes on their arm.
Some children might get swelling in the areas where they have hives, especially on the eyelids, lips and tongue.
Hives are very itchy and can cause a burning sensation. Your child might also feel itchy in areas with no spots.
Hives can take hours or days to develop. They dont always come up immediately after your child is exposed to a trigger like an allergen. They usually last 2-24 hours. Sometimes they keep coming back for up to 6 weeks.
When hives go, they leave no scarring.
Sometimes hives come and go for many months or years. This is known as chronic hives, and theres usually no specific cause.
What Do Hives Look Like
The most noticeable symptom associated with hives is the welts that appear on the skin. Welts may be red, but can also be the same color as your skin. They can be small and round, ring-shaped, or large and of random shape. Hives are itchy, and they tend to appear in batches on the affected part of the body. They can grow larger, change shape, and spread.
Hives may disappear or reappear over the course of the outbreak. Individual hives can last anywhere from half an hour to a day. Hives may turn white when pressed. Sometimes the hives may change shape or form together and create a larger, raised area.
Hives can occur in a variety of places on the body. Call 911 or seek medical attention immediately if you develop a hive outbreak around your throat or on your tongue or have trouble breathing along with hives.
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Why Do Hives Get Worse At Night
The body produces substances, called corticosteroids, which naturally reduce swelling, redness, and itchiness. Corticosteroids are the bodys natural defense against hives. When we sleep, however, the body dramatically dials back its production of corticosteroids, so inflammatory conditions such as hives tend to get worse.
Talk With Your Doctor
Check with your doctor to make sure youre doing all you can to prevent and stop the itch, says Goldenberg. If antihistamines arent helping, your doctor may prescribe another treatment. These may include corticosteroids, antidepressants, leukotriene modifiers, immunosuppressants, and omalizumab, an asthma drug now approved by the Food and Drug Administration to treat chronic hives. Light therapy may also provide some relief, Goldenberg says.
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Natural Remedies For Hives Treatment
Lets talk about the best part of this article how to get rid of hives naturally, as well as how to prevent them in the first place!
1. Be Patient and Dont Irritate
Hives treatment may not be needed if hives are mild. If you wait a short time, they can disappear on their own without any intervention. If you want to do something to help them go away faster and to reduce itching and swelling, make sure that you do not take any hot baths or showers while you have hives. Also, avoid wearing any tight-fitting clothing because this can further irritate the area where you have hives. This all applies to babies or toddlers with hives as well. Make sure you dont bathe a child with hives in water that is too hot and keep their clothing loose-fitting and breathable.
2. Address Allergies
First off, if you think you know what caused your hives, then avoid further contact or consumption with whatever it is. If you suspect that your hives are being caused by a particular food youre eating or a certain pet you currently have in your home, then it is a good idea to get some allergy testing done. Allergy testing can reveal your hive triggers, which you can then avoid and you can greatly prevent the likelihood of another undesirable hives rash. Keeping a food diary can also help a hive sufferer to pinpoint any food allergies.
3. Calm the Inflammation
4. Oatmeal Bath
5. Stress Reduction
6. Baking Soda
7. Witch Hazel
8. Supplements
9. Acupuncture
What Remedies Should You Avoid
There are some remedies that may seem like a good idea but should be avoided in favor of any of the remedies listed above.
Moisturizers with fragrances
As Dr. Khetarpal pointed out, fragrances and dyes in moisturizers can cause more irritation for some than soothing those dry, itchy patches.
Aloe vera
While aloe vera can be soothing for sunburns, you shouldnt rely on it for dry, itchy skin. It generally has fragrances and preservatives for a longer shelf life that can cause more trouble, says Dr. Khetarpal. And theres not a lot of scientific data that shows it actually helps itchy skin. Its more for temporary relief for sunburns.
Apple cider vinegar
While you may come across apple cider vinegar as a potential home remedy in web searches, its one to avoid, says Dr. Khetarpal. Vinegar is acidic and can actually make things a lot worse
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Does Scratching Make Hives Worse
Hives are caused by histamines released by specialized skin cells. Among many other effects, histamines stimulate itch nerves in the skin. When itching nerves start firing, the natural response is to scratch. However, scratching induces the skin to produce histamines. They get added to the histamine overload and, of course, set off the itch nerves all over again. As a result, hives can degenerate into an endless cycle of itching and scratching. Instead of scratching the itch, use a cold compress or an anti-itch cream. Calamine, capsaicin, menthol, or, if you need the powerful stuff, hydrocortisone or lidocaine can provide sufficient relief.
What Are The Symptoms
The raised, red, itchy areas may vary in size and shape. You may have one or many hives. The hives may appear on any part of the body. They are most common on the arms, legs, and trunk. You may have red blotches on your face. The rash may last for a few minutes or several days. Hives can be uncomfortable and they may recur.
In the case of a severe reaction–to a bee sting, for example–your face and throat may swell. Rarely, hives may cause problems with breathing, creating the danger of a severe asthma attack or a closing of the throat from swelling, which can be life-threatening.
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When Should I Call My Healthcare Provider About Hives
Hives can get better without treatment. Call your healthcare provider if you have:
- Hives or swelling that lasts more than a week.
- Infected-looking bumps .
- Recurring hives .
- Severe itching that might even keep you from sleeping.
- Signs of anaphylaxis, including wheezing, shortness of breath or vomiting.
- Swollen lips or face.
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This article is not medical advice. It is intended for general informational purposes and is not meant to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. If you think you may have a medical emergency, immediately call your physician or dial 911.
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Itch Relief Made Easier
They’re itchy, red, and raised and often appear at the worst possible times. About 20 percent of the population will get them at least once in their lives, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. They’re hives. And hives that last more than six weeks are considered chronic . For some people, these hives are a result of allergies, but for others there’s no discernible cause. Chronic hives with no known cause are called chronic idiopathic urticaria .
The itching associated with these hives, which stems from the release of natural chemicals called histamines by your bodys immune system, can dramatically affect your quality of life. This is among the main findings of a study published in August 2015 in the journal Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. Still, there’s a lot you can do to ease the itch of chronic hives.
When Does Itchy Skin Become A Serious Problem
At what point does is your itchy skin, though, the sign of something more serious? For Dr. Khetarpal, these symptoms are definitely worth speaking to your doctor about.
- Generalized itching: if your itching is felt all over not just in specific spots and felt at all times regardless of the season or time of day.
- Extended itching: if its been more than four weeks of trying these home remedies and theres still not relief.
- Visible rash: if your rash is red and scaly, more than just dry skin.
- Bleeding and pain: if your skin is cracked and bleeding and causing enough pain to wake up during the night.
If youre experiencing one or more of these, reach out to your healthcare provider as soon as possible.
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