Who Gets Hives?

Hives, known in the medical literature as urticaria, are a localized itchy outbreak of the skin. In this essentially allergic reaction, the skin breaks out in bumps surrounded by elongated flares. These “hives” are referred to as wheals or welts. The welts tend to be pink except that they turn white when touched. Welts may coalesce into plaques covering substantial areas of skin.

Hives are intensely itchy. They may involve any area of the body from the scalp to the soles of the feet, and appear in crops of 24- to 72-hour duration. The most common sites for outbreaks are the hands, feet, and face. Angioedema, a swelling below the skin caused by the same allergic mechanism, usually occurs around the eyes and in the lips. While the itchy bumps usually go away without treatment, angioedema in the upper respiratory tract may be life threatening and requires immediate medical attention.

Editor note: You can find relief by using an all-natural homeopathic remedy to treat hives. It’s safe, fast-acting and highly effective. Click here now to learn more.

A survey of college students indicates about one in five people has hives at some point in life. They may occur at any age, but young adults in their twenties are the most frequently affected. The precise causes of the condition vary person to person.

Aspirin sensitivity is observed in up to 67 percent of persons who have recurrent outbreaks of hives. Aspirin alters the metabolism of free fatty acids so that it favors the production of leukotrienes. These are hormonal messengers that make the walls of blood vessels more permeable to histamine. Aspirin also makes the lining of the intestines more permeable to allergens, increasing the risk of reaction to common food allergens such as cheese, chocolate, eggs, milk, pineapple, shellfish, and strawberries. At least one study found taking a single adult aspirin daily for three weeks desensitizes the immune system to aspirin and also to foods, but the benefits vanish if aspirin is discontinued.

Two factors increase the risk of outbreaks of hives after eating allergenic foods. One is incomplete digestion. A study published in the 1940’s reported that of 77 patients diagnosed with chronic hives, 65 had failures to produce enough stomach acid to break down the proteins that cause allergies. Treatment with hydrochloric acid and a vitamin B complex relieved symptoms in most of the patients in the study. Failure to secrete sufficient gastric acid is especially common in persons over the age of 60. It may be a major contributing factor in repeated outbreaks of hives after consuming allergenic foods in older persons.

Another contributing factor to recurrent food allergies is the permeability of the intestinal wall. This is the reason reactions to food are more severe when they are consumed after taking aspirin. Aspirin irritates the lining, increasing its permeability and easing transport of allergens into the bloodstream. Alcohol, NSAIDs, and many food additives have a similar effect. Consuming any substance that irritates the lining of the digestive tract increases the severity of the food allergy that causes hives.

Food colorings, especially yellow dye #5 (tartrazine), can provoke hives in about 0.1 percent of the population. Tartrazine is added to almost every food and even antihistamines, antibiotics, sedatives, and steroids. This yellow dye modifies fatty acid metabolism in the same manner as aspirin and increases the susceptibility of the skin to allergic inflammation.

Food flavorings are a major factor in many cases of hives in children. A wide range of salicyclic acid esters flavors cake mixes, chewing gum, puddings, and soft drinks. These chemical relatives of aspirin also occur naturally in curry powder, dill, licorice, oregano, paprika, peppermint, prunes, raisins, and turmeric. The average child consumes as much 200 mg of salicylate per day. This dosage approaches the amount of salicylate in children’s aspirin. Other flavorings, including aspartame, cinnamon, menthol, and vanilla may produce urticaria in some individuals.

The food preservatives BHA (butylated hydroxyanisol) and BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene) provoke reactions in about 15 percent of individuals who have chronic hives. As many as 44 percent of persons with chronic urticaria are allergic to benzoates, which occur in relatively high concentrations in fish and shrimp. Sulfites, which are sprayed on fruits, vegetables, and shrimp to keep them fresh in countries outside the United States, aggravate a wide range of allergic conditions, including asthma as well as hives. Sulfites occur naturally in beer and wine.

About 1 in 10 people is allergic to penicillin, and about 1 in 4 of those allergic to penicillin will develop urticaria, angioedema, or anaphylaxis after taking it. Penicillin is a common additive to livestock feeds. Both skin outbreaks and anaphylactic reactions have been traced to penicillin in frozen dinners, milk, and soft drinks. Among patients with chronic hives and an allergy to penicillin, about half will improve on a dairy-free diet.

Author: Robert RisterRead an Apple a Day Make Keep Allergies, Asthma, & Eczema Away. Robert Rister is the author or co-author of nine books on natural health including Healing without Medication

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robert_Rister

Click here now to discover the natural way to get rid of hives and stop the itch quickly and safely.

Urticaria: Understanding The Condition Commonly Known As Hives is a post from: Skin Hives Treatment

One problem that many people don’t even think about when it comes to rashes caused by hives is that it can be embarrassing as well as uncomfortable. If the hives occur on your body, they can often be covered up by your clothing. However, when the rash appears on your face or hands it becomes more diffucult to hide.

For anyone who sufferes from hives, a top priority is finding a way to get rid of the condition and stop it from coming back. In order to stop anything, it’s important to know what caused it in the first place. While hives can be a result of several factors, there are 2 that are particularly common:

1. Stress – Believe it or not, stress commonly leads to a hives rash. Of course, the best way to avoid stress-induced hives is to avoid having the stress in the first place. That’s much easier said than done! What is possible, though, is to reduce stress and practice relaxing more which will help a lot.

2. Allergic Reaction – Many times people get hives because they have allergies that trigger the outbreaks. If you’re able to determine the source of your allergy and then eliminate, you’ll be able to avoid hives rashes for the most part. Sometimes this is not possible, however. Many people find relief from an allergy induced hives rash by taking allergy medications such as Benadryl or Claritin.

If you find yourself suffering with hives rashes repeatedly, a homeopathic treatment such as OxyHives can help you get control of your hives and stop the itching.

Top 2 Reasons For A Hives Rash is a post from: Skin Hives Treatment

Two Different Types Of Hives

There are two very different types of hives you can get. The first kind comes from an outside source. For example, such thins as fungal or bacterial skin infections can cause you to develop hives. Also, if you have an allergy to anything at all, such as bee stings, a particular food or a certain perfume, it can result in hives.

A second type of hives shows up for no obvious reason and often goes away just as quickly. You might get that sort of hive problem once in a while, or it may be chronic. Chronic hives are the most frustrating and if you suffer from them, you need to find a treatment that works well.

Hives Stress Alert

More often than not, stress is the real reason behind these mysterious hives outbreaks.

Any sort of stress on you, whether it be physical, mental or emotional, can take much more of a toll than you might realize on your body. That’s because stress actually changes the chemical balance within your body. That chemical change can make all sorts of things happen to your body, including itchy, misery-causing hives.

How To Know If Stress Is The Problem

If you think that your hives are caused by stress, the first thing to do is to identify your stress factors. In other words, what are the things in your life that create stress for you? For many people, it might be a job or a problem with their family. It’s different for everyone.

If you can eliminate the major stress factors in your life, your hives problem may go away on its own. In reality, it can be difficult to completely eliminate stress but there may be healthier ways to deal with it.

Sometimes, decreasing your stress levels can be as easy as exercising more and eating better. Other times, though, it may take more effort. You may even need to take a stress management class or seek the advice of a stress expert. Relieving stress can help get rid of hives and improve your general health at the same time.

A word of caution… it’s possible that you don’t have a hives stress problem and that some other medical condition is causing the problem. That’s why it’s important to consult with your doctor to rule out any underlying causes. He or she can recommend a treatment that’s right for you.

If hives is a recurring problem for you, consider trying a natural remedy such as homeopathic OxyHives. Many sufferers just like you use it regularly to provide natural relief for their painful, itchy hives. Maybe it can help you, too.

Announcing The Great Hives Stress Out is a post from: Skin Hives Treatment

How Do I Know If I Have Hives?

Hives are actually collections of red, itchy bumps that appear on your skin. Often referred to as wheals, these bumps look a lot like mosquito bites but they come in large batches and are not the result of a bug bite.

As far as the wheals go, they vary in size. Usually, they’re very small and look like bug bites, except in large clusters. Sometimes, though, they can get quite big. In fact, the largest wheals can be up to about four inches in diameter and look like red rings with white centers.

Because the wheals can be quite small, a bunch of smaller ones might appear to be a giant one. In this case, it can look and feel as if you just have one giant, red, incredibly itchy patch covering an entire part of your body, such as your arm or leg. So, not all cases of hives look the same.

How Long Do Hives Last?

This is a tough question to answer because it varies. In fact, there is no exact answer. Skin hives can last for minutes, hours, or an entire day. While they rarely last longer than that, some people to suffer repeatedly and others suffer from chronic hives. If you experience prolonged symptoms you should schedule a visit with your doctor.

So, What Causes Hives?

Most cases of hives are caused by something your body is exposed to. If you can figure out what substance is causing them, you can potentially avoid hives in the future by staying clear of what caused them in the first place.

Outer causes of hives can be any sort of chemical in the air that your body is exposed to. Hives can also be caused by a bacterial or fungal infection. Many times this results when your skin gets scratched, becoming red and inflamed. As this area becomes itchy it’s difficult to keep from scratching it and making the problem worse.

Most commonly, however, hives are caused by a problem within your body. Allergic reactions are the most common. Allergies can be caused by outer sources such as dog or cat dander but more often are caused by food. It’s often a good idea to see a doctor to help determine any food allergies you may have.

Stress is another common cause of hives that initiates inside the body. Stress can cause a chemical imbalance within your body and leave you more susceptible to all sorts of medical conditions, including hives.

If you suffer from hives, it’s important to seek treatment. OxyHives is a homeopathic remedy for hives that works to stop the itching, pain and swelling associated with a hives outbreak. Click here to find out more about OxyHives.

Causes Of Hives – What Causes Hives And What Can I Do About Them? is a post from: Skin Hives Treatment