Hives Treatment
Hives or Urticaria is a variety of skin rash, characterized by raised, itchy, red bumps. Single hives are called welts or wheals. They can appear anywhere on the body and are caused by an allergic reaction to pollen and other allergens. They can also be a reaction to medication, insect bites or foods such as nuts, shell fish, peanuts, egg, soy or wheat. They can form even without an allergic reaction, due to stress or extreme changes in the weather. Hereditary factors can also cause hives. Essentially, hives occur when the body produces too much histamine. This is more common among women. Histamine makes fluids leak from local blood vessels, which causes swelling on the skin.
One of the characteristics of hives is that welts keep changing size and moves from one part of the body to the other. They may disappear in one place and reappear at another spot. They generally last from two to 24 hours. Even the severe ones may be gone in few hours; only to appear again in a day’s time. Some times they can last up to six weeks or even more. Hives are considered very serious if they last for over six weeks.
- The first thing to do for the treatment of hives is to find what causes them and try to avoid that particular allergen as much as possible. Even if one is not sure about what sets off hives, it is best to limit exposure to substances that could cause them. In children, food additives may cause hives so it is better to avoid foods that pose a risk.
- The most common treatments for hives include the use of antihistamines like cetirizine, diphenhydramine, hydroxyzine and other H1 receptors that fight against hives.
- For hives, natural treatments too can be effectively used to bring relief. Cooling the body by having a cold shower or bath or cold compress will help in suppressing histamines from reaching the skin. Cooling shrinks the blood vessels reducing histamine content. Avoiding hot showers and plenty of rest will help in reducing hives.
- An effective treatment for hives is applying milk of magnesia on the affected area with a cotton ball. This soothes the skin and brings relief. Benadryl is an effective antihistamine. Stress management also helps in reducing the severity of hives, though stress, by itself, does not cause hives.
- In case of hives being present for a long period, make sure to consult a physician.
