Hives or urticaria, are the result of the body’s immune system as it reacts to an outside (environmental) allergen or something within the body that it does not recognize. As histamine is released it may pool underneath the skin and causes a rash type of reaction, but one that is ten times worse with swelling and inflammation. While many sufferers are able to determine the underlying cause, often it goes undetermined. There are several types of hives, lasting anywhere from a few hours to several weeks, and each due to separate causes.
Acute hives are those that last less than six weeks and can be caused by such factors as foods, infections, medicines or reactions to such products as latex. Insect sting/bites or several internal disorders can be responsible as well. Foods commonly responsible for hives are nuts, fish, eggs, soy, wheat, diary, fruits such as berries, tomatoes and/or chocolate. Many more fresh foods cause hives than cooked. Also food additives, preservatives or the #5 yellow dyes can be at fault.
Medicines such as antacids, aspirin, ibuprofen or several of the other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) are often triggers of hives as are high blood pressure (ACE inhibitors) or arthritis medications and/or painkillers such as codeine; or even vitamins and other dietary supplements. Acute is defined as painful, severe or extremely serious and describes any case that is severe and comes quickly to full crisis. Depending on where food is absorbed within the digestive tract, hives typically can appear in just minutes or it can be up to two hours after eating.
Chronic hives are those that last longer than six weeks or come and go at a rate of twice a week for over that amount of time. They do not resolve quickly. The cause of this type of hives is usually more difficult to identify (up to 90% of people never able to determine one) than those causing acute although the causes of both may be similar in some cases and may come or go with no apparent triggers at all.
Hives can affect internal organs as well as the skin including muscles, lungs or gastrointestinal tract with symptoms such as muscle soreness, vomiting or diarrhea. Usual chronic hive outbreaks last from 30 minutes to 36 hours with welts and swellings disappearing and new hives developing all the while. Conditions such as heat, exertion or stress can make symptoms worse.
Just under half of the people with chronic hives also have angioedema which has distinctive signs and symptoms that include large welts or swellings occurring around the eyes, lips, hands, feet, genitalia, and (causing a scare to many) on the inside of the throat. Throat swelling can obstruct breathing and can be severe enough to require emergency treatment. Though it itches less than other hives this type can cause burning and/or pain.
Physical hives make up approximately 15% of all chronic hive cases affecting about 5% of the population—usually women. These hives are caused by direct physical stimulation to the skin such as heat or cold, sun exposure, most types of vibration, pressure—even if very light; also sweating, and/or exercise extending to such activities working in the garden.
Known more specifically as cholinergic urticaria this hive disorder can result in a swollen rash of tiny, itchy bumps. They occur within 15 minutes of any type of physical exertion or hot bath/ shower, and are gone just as quickly. This disorder happens more often in young people than other age groups. Other forms of physical hives can be triggered by water, cold and/or sunlight.
The hives of dermatographia (meaning skin writing) typically occurs right where the skin stimulation (stroking or scratching) takes place, rarely appearing elsewhere. They can coincide with other types of hives with most outbreaks forming within the hour, but people with true dermatographism have only pressure as a trigger for their symptoms.
It is unknown why this disorder occurs (there does not need to be antigens present) but an outbreak takes place when something triggers the mast cells under the surface of the skin to release more histamine than is needed. This could be due to weak tissue or membranes in the cell area. This disorder can go on for years, though not life threatening or contagious.
It is, however, annoying at times—particularly when symptoms can be brought on by such everyday occurrences as tight or rough textured clothing, wearing a watch or worse, glasses. Skin stress, even in the form of energetic kissing can try the patience of any sufferer.
Longtime sufferers of hives know that the best remedy is to steer clear of their known triggers as they are not always caused by anything complex or even dangerous or for any good reason. Hives can be a result of anything. When avoidance or detection is not possible there are many good remedies for treating the itch and/or discomfort such as a cold compress over the affected area. Some sufferers recommend a massage to the muscle (trapezium) located between the neck and shoulder for relieve of hive pain.
Hives often have an underlying root connected to the gastro-intestinal tract. Because of this many professional care givers suggest a diet of all fruit—oranges, papaya, apples, grapes and pineapple are just a few, accompanied by plenty of pure water to flush the system of toxins. The science behind this is fruit goes through the system needing little help from the body’s acids or enzymes. They are 85% water themselves and are loaded with fiber to cleanse the colon.
When this has been accomplished begin a well-balanced diet consisting of whole grains, seeds and nuts along with the vegetables and fruits. Seventy percent of each meal should be raw or very lightly steamed with a glass of water with one half of a lemon’s juice in each one hour before meals. This goes along with holistic and homeopathic treatments alike. It is not geared so much at the symptoms as addressing the issues within that are at the root of the condition.