About Hives
If you have a red, itchy rash on your skin, you may think you encountered poison ivy or something like it. However, you may have a case of hives instead. Fortunately, they are merely uncomfortable and not dangerous.
-
Identification
-
When a person has hives, she develops bumps that are raised and itchy. They are circular and have a rather spongy sort of texture. Reddened skin is typically found around each hive. The reddened area is commonly referred to as a flare. Typically, hives can be anywhere from 3 to 4 mm in size to very large and covering an entire part of the body, such as a hand.
Function
-
Hives result from inflammation that affects the skin. Often, they are the result of allergies. For example, a person may develop hives in response to the consumption of certain foods to which he is sensitive. Some foods that may cause hives include eggs, milk, fish and shellfish. Some people are also affected by nuts. Medications may also cause hives. For example, medications like ibuprofen and aspirin may cause them as well as antibiotics and some blood pressure medications. Additionally, a person may develop hives because of an allergy to such things as pollen and animal dander. Even insect stings can cause an allergic reaction that produces hives.
-
Considerations
-
Sometimes things in the environment can lead to a case of hives. For example, some people develop them in response to changes in temperature and exposure to sunlight. Even such things as emotional stress and pressure on the skin may lead to the release of histamine--a substance the body makes in response to allergens--and a case of hives. Sometimes they even develop in response to the creation of antibodies in a person's body. For example, a person may develop them if she has certain immune system disorders, some types of cancer or has just had a blood transfusion.
Effects
-
Unfortunately, hives are rather itchy. The level of itching a person experiences will vary based on what caused the episode and the person's sensitivity. Sometimes hives may come and go in a short period of time. When this happens, a person may see them for a short amount of time, such as 30 minutes, and then have them disappear, thinking they are gone for good. However, they may show up once more just a few minutes later.
Potential
-
Most cases of hives last from about 1 day up to 6 weeks. Sometimes people have them frequently, and they may be diagnosed with chronic hives. Typically, chronic hives occur no less than twice per week. Usually, a doctor will only diagnose chronic hives if a person has frequent episodes for more than 6 weeks at a time.
Prevention/Solution
-
Most cases of hives are mild and don't really require any treatment. Some people may take over-the-counter antihistamines like diphenhydramine (Benadryl) and chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton) to relieve the symptoms. In severe cases, doctors often prescribe medicines called oral corticosteroids. One of the most commonly prescribed is prednisone, and it helps to relieve the itchiness and swelling.
-
Resources
- Photo Credit sxc.hu
