Hives Skin Treatment

Urticaria is the medical term for hives, the itchy wheals that look like mosquito bites. Angioedema refers to large, painless swellings, similar to hives, that appear on the skin, usually on the face, hands, feet, genitals, or mucous membranes. They're caused by an accumulation of fluid (edema) in response to an allergen. Dermographism is a sensitivity to pressure on the skin. Redness, itching, swelling, and hives can all develop, particu­larly in areas where clothing is tight.

Hives usually appear shortly after exposure to an allergen and can show up anywhere on the skin. They may be harmless and disappear within hours, or they may be an early symptom of anaphylaxis.

To treat hives, take oral antihistamines around the clock, apply anti-itch lotion (if necessary), wear loose clothing, and avoid all suspected allergens. If the welts don't vanish in forty-eight hours, see your doctor. Hives could be a sign of mild viral infection or, in rare cases, more serious diseases such as hepati­tis B or cancer.

Some likely triggers for hives are:

•      Foods—mainly berries, seafood, nuts, tomatoes, eggs, and wheat

•      Food additives, especially dyes and preservatives

•      Drugs or medication, including aspirin, peni­cillin, and other antibiotics—even the minute amount of antibiotics in some meats and dairy products

•      Insect bites or stings

•      Any number of contact substances, such as fabrics, detergents, even pollens and molds— although hives from contact reactions are rare

•      Inhalants such as pollens, insecticides, and dust

•      Exercise—in some persons, only after eating cer­tain foods, such as apples, celery, milk, peanuts, pears, soy, tree nuts (almonds, walnuts, hazel­nuts, pecans), shrimps, and wheat

•      Mechanical injury

•      Physical stimuli such as a cold swimming pool or a hot shower, sudden temperature changes, sunlight, vigorous toweling after bathing, or tight clothing

•      Cold weather (If you suspect a cold allergy and want to test yourself, wrap an ice cube in plastic and hold it to your skin for thirty to sixty seconds. A raised welt indicates a positive reaction.)

•      Chemical fumes

•      Stress and anxiety