Hives are medically known as urticaria. These are red, swollen or raised areas that appear on the skin that appear in varying shapes and sizes. They can be round, or in the form of large patches that vary in size. Hives that are red lesions with a red flare at the border are called as wheals or welts. Hives can occur anywhere on the body, such as the trunk, arms, and legs but are mainly seen on palms and soles. Hives are very common. Although they can be irritating and annoying, they usually disappear on their own over a period of weeks. Hives are caused due to several reasons but mainly they are caused by allergic reactions because of foods, drugs, environmental pollutants and insect stings. There are several other reasons also for occurrence of hives like infections, emotional stress, physical stress, friction, pressure, temperature extremes, exercise and sunlight however the large majority of cases are not due to allergies, and no specific cause for them is ever found.
The most commonly used oral medication for treating hives are antihistamines as hives are caused by histamines, anything that can oppose the effects of the histamine leaked by mast cells can minimize hives however use of antihistamines results in drowsiness that is a draw back of antihistamine medication. Antihistamines are available as prescribed medicines and also available over the counter such as diphenhydramine marketed in the brand name Benadryl, taken in doses of 25 milligrams and chlorpheniramine marketed in the name of Chlor-Trimeton, taken in a dose of 4 milligrams. These can be taken thrice daily, but as these medications can cause drowsiness, they are preferably taken at bedtime. Loratadine marketed as Claritin, taken in a dose of 10 milligrams is available over-the-counter and does not have side effects like drowsiness. Another over-the-counter drug that is mildly sedating is cetirizine marketed as Zyrtec, taken in a dose of 10 milligrams. Antihistamines that available in prescribed form include cyproheptadine and hydroxyzine that is marketed in the brand name of Atarax and Vistaril. Prescription antihistamines that cause minor sedation are fexofenadine commonly available as Allegra and levocetirizine available as Xyzal.
For severe or chronic urticaria, there are oral steroids like prednisone and Medrol that are effective only for a short duration. There are several other treatments for urticaria like treatment by ultraviolet radiation, antifungal antibiotics, agents that suppress the immune system, and tricyclic antidepressants like amitriptyline, nortriptyline and doxepin. amitriptyline is marketed as Elavil and Endep, nortriptyline marketed as Pamelor and Aventyl, doxepin marketed as Sinequan and Adapin. Apart from UV and anti depressants, there are topical therapies like creams and lotions containing ingredients like camphor, menthol, diphenhydramine, and pramoxine that help to reduce itching. Consulting a skin specialist before taking any medication is very necessary as they can individualize treatment plans to suit specific individual and modify them depending on the clinical response. The main aim of treating is to relieve symptoms like itching and redness as hives goes away by itself over a period of time. gezond afvallen
