Although hives are well known for clearing up on their own, many sufferers continue to seek commercial remedies like prescribed or non-prescribed medications and sometimes allergy shots. Most available medications contain antihistamines and/or cortisone, making them rather effective hives remedies; however these drugs can cause countless side effects or become dangerous if used too often. Chronic sufferers might be better off using a natural type of hives remedy.

Prior to beginning any type of treatment, herbalists recommend trying to find out the exact cause of the hives breakout. This is the best way to effectively treat and prevent hives breakouts.

Here are some of the best natural remedies available for soothing your skin:

1. Quercetin is the pigment found in most green vegetables as well as onions, apples, among other organic foods. It is a natural antihistamine and is an extremely effective hives treatment for most sufferers. You should be ingesting at least 500 milligrams of quercetin twice daily for it to perform as a hives remedy.

2. Native American medicine believes hives are a fire-like condition and therefore opt to use sandalwood essential oil as a way of cooling the skin. Rub a cotton ball dipped in this oil, often considered a skin sedative, into the affected area every few hours.

3. Mint is a natural substance well known and most used for its cooling effect which is ideal for treating the itchiness associated with hives. The most effective way to use mint as a hives remedy is to apply mint ice cubes directly to the affected skin. To make mint ice cubes, crush two teaspoons worth of fresh mint leaves and steep in boiling hot water for at least five minutes. Then strain and pour the mint water in an ice cube tray and freeze. The handy thing about using mint cubes is you can reuse them by placing them back in the freezer after use.

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What Is The Best Hives Remedy? is a post from: Skin Hives Treatment

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

Do you suffer frequently from uncomfortable, itchy skin due to hives? OxyHives can help you find relief… Click Here Now to learn more.

Hives Are Often Caused By Food Allergies is a post from: Skin Hives Treatment

Hives are actually referred to as wheals and often appear in clusters. Wheals come in all different sizes but they do have several commonalities. They look and feel similar to a mosquito bite – red, bumpy and itch like crazy.

During a case of hives, wheals start to appear on seemingly random parts of the body. Really, though, there is a little bit of method to the madness. When you get hives, chances are they start on the parts of your body normally covered by clothing.

A Case Of Mistaken Identity

There is a medical condition that is often mistaken for hives called angioedema. The two conditions are nothing alike, however. Angioedema usually is localized to a person’s face and doesn’t involve red bumps like hives, but rather severe swelling around the eyes and mouth. Sometimes, a person with angioedema can even get a swollen tongue. Once in a while the genital area, feet or hands can also be affected.

There’s also another difference between angioedema and hives. Angioedema usually doesn’t itch. It does, however, often burn and hurt.

More Severe Symptoms Of Hives

As you may know, hives can happen on various parts of your body. A lot of the time though, they quickly spread over your whole body. That’s especially true if your hives are caused by an allergic reaction to something such as a particular food.

Another major symptom of hives is called anaphylactic shock. A lot of people associate anaphylactic shock with bee stings, but other things can cause it too. Be aware that if you have a severe allergy to anything, you are at risk for it.

Anaphylactic shock is a serious problem and requires medical intervention. Aside from causing hives, it can cause your face and tongue to swell. It can also cause your blood pressure to drop suddenly which may lead you to pass out. It can also make it hard to breathe and make your chest or throat seem like they are tightening up. You could actually die from it. If you think you are having an anaphylactic reaction, you should get to the hospital immediately.

Luckily most cases of hives are not life threatening but they do cause their share of discomfort and misery. Although hives sometimes simply disappear on their own and never return, some people have hives outbreaks on a regular basis. If you suffer from the common symptoms hives outbreaks cause, you may want to consider using a natural remedy to reduce the symptoms quickly and safely.

OxyHives is an all-natural homeopathic remedy for hives. Click here to learn more.

Watch Out For Severe Symptoms Hives Sufferers Might Face 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