Showing posts with label Urticaria. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Urticaria. Show all posts

Monday, March 06, 2017

Hives (Urticaria) – Causes, Facts, Pictures, Symptoms, Treatment, Home Remedies

HIVes (Urticaria) – Causes, Facts, Pictures, Symptoms, Treatment, Home Remedies






Hives also known as urticaria (in medical terms) are usually short lived reddened itchy bumps on your skin. It is more in women than in men for no apparent reason. An interesting feature of hives is its varying nature. Hives that are seen flaring up in the morning would almost disappear by noon but re-appear before night. Hives will not last in the same place for more than a day.


Facts On Hives :



  • Hives are raised itchy bumps on the skin ranging in many size and shape.

  • Hives are marked by characteristic itchy welts on the skin and itching can range from moderate to severe.

  • Hives would disappear quickly as it comes but may reappear in other place of your body.

  • Exact cause of hives is still not known.

  • Under normal condition, hives flare up acutely.

  • In rare cases hives are caused by environment factors like extreme weather condition and heat.

  • Repeated scratching and Stress can intensity hives.


Hives Types :










Hives can be acute (short lived) or chronic (lasting more than few months). Chronic form of hives is not serious but they can disturb the quality of life in interfering with sleep and daily routine. It is difficult to treat and diagnose chronic hives. Repeated testing should be done to identify the right cause. Your doctor would get a chart of complete medical history and personal habits. It is better to avoid certain allergic foods permanently if you have chronic hives.


Hives


Causes Of Hives :



  • Exact cause of hives is not known. It is believed to be caused when excess of histamines are released in the body from the mast cells. Histamines have the capacity to leak the fluid from the blood vessels which in turn appear in the form of red welts on your skin.

  • Hives are a nuisance and annoying but it requires no treatment and fades quickly as it comes.

  • Hives can be triggered by vigorous exercise and using pressure bands on the body.

  • For some people hives are caused due to allergic response to certain foods or medications or insect bites. Even coming in contact with pollutants can trigger hives. Drugs like aspirin, morphine or codeine and other NSAID’s can also cause hives.

  • Exposure to hot or cold weather can cause hives. Harsh sunlight can also trigger hives.

  • If you have a recent viral infection you are likely to develop hives.

  • Stress can trigger and intensify hives but is not known to cause hives.


Hives Symptoms :



  • Batches of white or red welts are found on the legs, arms and even on the face. Hives normally flare up acutely without any known cause.

  • Welts can appear in many places of your body causing intense itching and swelling. But it goes away on its own within few hours to again appear in some other place. Welts caused by hives vary in size and shape.

  • It can cause burning pain in some parts like eyes, cheeks and lips.

  • Hives get intensified due to excess of heat and exercise.

  • Hives may continue to re-appear in the body for many months in some people.


Hives


Complications :


In rare cases, hives can cause difficulty in breathing due to anaphylaxis. In such cases, seek prompt medical help. The bronchial tubes can get narrow causing shortness of breath and choking. The person may feel dizzy and sometimes pass out. People with chronic disorders like Arthritis, Thyroid problem, Diabetes and lupus are at risk of developing hives and varied complications.


Hives Diagnosis :


Your doctor would first complete physical exam thoroughly. He may ask questions regarding your personal habits, and any new medications you have taken. He may request for blood test and other Allergy tests to identify the cause of hives.


Hives


Hives (Urticaria) Treatment :


Very often, no treatment is required for hives that come and go promptly. You can get comfort with OTC pain relievers and antihistamines. You can contact your GP if the symptoms do not improve with home remedies. Your doctor would identify the underlying cause first before treating the hives. He may check the thyroid level and other chronic issues in your body. Antihistamines like Loratadine, Cetrizine, Levocetrizine and Clarinex are effective in managing itching. You can also try Benadryl or chloropheniramine if the above drugs are not giving relief.


Histamine blockers like Zantac, Pepcid and Nizatidine can be taken orally or injected for severe cases. Prednisone and other steroid medications can help in reducing swelling and itching. But remember to take these pills only for short term since it can be addictive. Topical creams that contain corticosteroid can be applied generously. Antidepressant drugs like Zonalon can be prescribed for hives. For people with chronic hives, a shot of Xolair is often effective for several weeks.


Hives Home Remedies :



  • If you have hives avoid going out in sunlight.

  • Wear loose cotton clothing.

  • Use wet compress over the affected area repeatedly.

  • Try to identify the triggers so that you can avoid it in future.

  • Avoid certain foods from your diet as instructed by your doctor.

  • Stay away from dust and other pollutants since it can worsen the symptoms.

  • Practice yoga and meditation techniques to prevent stress.











Tuesday, May 10, 2016

Urticaria

Urticaria






Urticaria also known as chronic hives are nothing but raised lesions that are red or white in color resembling wheals of small and medium sizes. These hives develop suddenly and disappear within few days to appear again. Often, these itchy welts survive for 5-6 weeks which will fade subsequently. Urticaria is caused for reason unknown and is considered to be of autoimmune disorder. The symptoms can be totally managed by effective antihistamines. In rare cases, these hives develop on the throat region which can block the windpipe causing choking and difficulty in breathing.


Causes :










Urticaria is believed to be caused by weakened immunity. Certain mast cells of the body would release large quantities of histamine into the blood causing severe itching and hives. Autoimmune disorder can originate from other diseases like lupus or thyroid deficiency. The blood plasma would start leaking out of blood vessels finding its way into the skin causing chronic hives. Certain types of allergic reactions caused by food, over-exposure to sunlight, insect bites and prolonged use of certain medication can also cause this effect. Exact cause of urticaria is unknown.


Symptoms :


You can identify urticaria or chronic hives which appear as wheals or itchy belts on the skin. It would be seen as small patches of rings causing severe itching. They are raised red colored lesions appearing on the hands and legs and sometimes on your face also.


Often urticaria is associated with angioEdema. The skin develops inflammation on the hands, feet and on the genitals and in rare cases on your throat. Swelling of throat can cause difficulty in eating and swallowing and can obstruct the airway. In most of the cases the symptoms come and go which may recur again within few days. Excess of heat or stressful events can trigger the formation of hives. In rare cases Angioedema or urticaria can cause difficulty in breathing if the throat portion develops inflammation inside.


Diagnoses :


Your doctor will look for the above symptoms after careful examination of the affected skin. To find out the root cause he may request for blood profile for detecting plasma proteins in the blood, Allergy tests to rule out any allergic reactions and any other tests to rule out hepatitis or lupus.


Treatment :


It is difficult to treat urticaria and is possible to control only the symptoms. Exact cause that triggers formation of hives is to be identified and treated. Underlying health causes are to be analyzed before giving any treatment. Mild itching can be resolved by over the counter antihistamines. Most of the people can get relief by taking oral histamines of second/first generation. For some people combination of these drugs is to be given.


Newer antihistamines do not cause sedation but are effective. Some of the important second generation antihistamines are cetrizine, levocetrizine, loratadine and fexofenadine. First generation antihistamines like vistaril, Benadryl and chloropheniramine can make you drowsy. You may not be able to drive after taking these medications. Medications like cimetidine (H-2 antagonist) are also given along with antihistamines. Prednisone is an effective corticosteroid for managing urticaria. For some people tricyclic antidepressants like zonalon is prescribed for severe hives.


Home Remedies :


For mild form of hives you can apply cool compress on the skin and repeat the process several times a day. Soaking in oatmeal bath is also effective. Stay in cool atmosphere and wear loose fitting clothes.


Pictures of Urticaria :


Images, Pics, Pictures and Photos of Urticaria


Urticaria Urticaria Urticaria Urticaria Urticaria Urticaria Urticaria


Prevention :


You cannot totally prevent urticaria but can identify the agents that are triggering them and avoid it. In case you are allergic to certain food items you can always avoid it. In case you have developed hives make a note in the diary about the period of hives and about your diet so that your doctor can figure out what exactly caused it. Do not take aspirin or ibuprofen for long term unless it is given by your doctor.