Hives is a harmless type of skin disorder that is usually caused by an allergic reaction. The common symptoms consist of circular, raised weals and pustules on the skin that are usually itchy and occur in batches. Hives can vary in size and shape. The size varies from a few millimeters to several centimeters in diameter. Hives usually occur on any part of the body but are seen on the throat, arms, legs, and trunk. About 16% of the population experience hives at some time in their lives.
The reason for hives is not known in approximately 70% of the cases. The most general cause of hives rashes is release of histamines by mast cell in body due to allergic reactions. The allergic reaction can be due to anything; one comes in touch with or eats. It can be anything, one can think of. However the common established causes of hives include drugs like Penicillin, Aspirin, and Sulfa antibiotics, Morphine, Codeine, Polymyxin, Dextran, Curare, Quinine and Diuretics. Foods like Coffee, cocoa, Beans, Beets, Berries, Celery, Chocolate, Cranberries, Peanuts, Peppers, Bell, Pepper, Black, Rhubarb, Spices, Spinach, Strawberries, Summer Squash, Sweet Potatoes, Teas, Tofu, Wine, peanuts, nuts, tomatoes, eggs, fresh berries, chocolate, fish, almonds, Blackberries, boysenberries, cherries, currants, dewberries, gooseberries, grapes or raisins, Fruit Cake, Lima Beans, nectarines, oranges, peaches, plums or prunes, raspberries, cucumbers or pickles, yeast, Eggplant, shellfish, pork, tomatoes, Soy Sauce, apples and apricots especially their seeds, strawberries and milk. Several food additives like Salicylates, Tartrazine, Benzoate, Penicillin, Sulfites. Inhaled allergens such as pollen, Mold Spores, animal dander and house dust. Diseases like Mastocytosis, Dermatitis herpetiformis, Pemphigoid, Amyloidosis, Lupus (SLE), Thyroid disease - hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism, Lymphoma, Carcinomas, Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, Polycythemia vera, Rheumatic fever. Infections like Chronic bacterial infections especially sinus and urinary tract infections, Fungal infections like candida, Viral infections like hepatitis B, mononucleosis, and coxsackie virus infections, Malaria and Intestinal worms. Several other factors that cause hives include plants like nettles, animals like caterpillars and jellyfish, hair bleach, textiles, wood, saliva, cosmetics, perfume, Bacitracin, emotional stress, cold temperatures, heat, sweating and irritation from pressure or tight fitting clothes.
If the substance or allergy responsible for hives can not be found, the symptoms of urticaria will need to be treated. Antihistamines such as Atarax, Benedryl, Seldane, and Tagamet are the primary medications used to control hives and stop the itching, Corticosteroids can be used in more severe cases, injections of epinephrine can be given in cases that involve life-threatening episodes and prevention is the best cure that is by avoiding known allergens. It is important to keep general points in mind while suffering from hives like avoid to much of heat, keep the temperature of the skin cool, stay away from alcohol, as it causes flushing of the skin, never scratch or rub the swelled region, wear loose clothes that will not put pressure on the skin, applying ice to hives and affected areas can help in relieving the itchiness and discomfort associated with this skin problem.
