Hives are known as Urticaria in medical context. These are red swellings that come up on any part of the skin causing itching and redness. Hives can stay for several weeks and can lasts for a few hours before fading away completely however new hives appear as old hives fade. The size and shape can vary from person to person like they can be pea sized or can spread over large areas of the body. The intensity of itching varies but the skin is usually not scabbed or broken. In few cases, the hives burn and sting apart from being itchy.
Hives are very common. About 10-20 percent of the total population undergo development of hives at least one their lifetime.
Hives occur when there is excessive production of histamines in body. Histamine is a natural chemical that is released when there are allergic reactions due to exposure to pollen or any other environmental pollutant called as allergens. Hives is not necessarily due to allergic reactions but cane be due to any reason thus even if people are not allergic they tend to get hives due to reasons like emotional stress and sudden change in weather like too hot or cool weather can bring them on in some people. Hives can occur in any part of the body and mainly is seen on the palms and soles however sometimes hives can occur in deeper tissues of sensitive areas like eyes, mouth, hands or genitals. These areas develop a swelling that is annoying and frightening in appearance, but it usually disappears away in less than one day. This swelling is called angioedema.
The only way to prevent hives is to avoid things that one is sensitive to. A good treatment for hives should be easy and involve practical solutions to relieve the discomfort. It is important to understand the cause of hives although the exact cause of hives is not known but hives are produced by histamines released from mast cells. Histamine causes fluid to leak from the local blood vessels, leading to swelling in the epidermis of skin. Although hives sufferers are not interested in knowing the root cause of hives and may find it frustrating to know what has caused their hives. There is a misconception that by changing diet, soap, detergent, and makeup, hives can be prevented but these activities are usually not helpful in preventing hives and for the most part are not necessary. Ordinary hives may be widespread and annoying in visibility but usually they are not a life-threatening complication except in cases where they develop in airways causing difficulty in breathing.
Few things that can help in treating hives are cooling the skin as it will help to shrink blood vessels, decreasing the amount of histamine that reaches the skin. At the same time it is important to avoid the heat as heating causes dilation, increasing the amount of histamine that reaches the skin. Application of milk of magnesia can be very effective for soothing hives. Use of antihistamines drugs like benadryl, Zyrtec, Allegra, Xyzal, Claritin, Atarax and Vistaril can be helpful in treatment of hives.
