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How to Stop Itching From Hives

People who suffer from hives and their associated inconveniences are highly likely to appreciate information on how to stop itching from hives. Thus, it makes sense for them to read materials that describe home remedies for their hives and itching.

One of the basic tips on how to stop itching from hives involves taking it easy. It is well known that chronic hives in some people are triggered or exacerbated by stress. Thus, if these people allow their stress to get to them, they are likely to suffer the worst itching of their lives more often than they care to. If it is possible for them to eliminate the factors that provoke their stress, they should do so. If it is not possible, they should learn stress-management techniques and incorporate relaxing exercises and routines into their lifestyles. These can include yoga, meditation, prayer and some sports activities. Some forms of herbal tea can also be relaxing for some patients. They would obviously have to figure out what teas were best for them as each person is unique in biochemical terms.

Other tips on how to stop itching from hives involve the topical application of substances to the skin. These may include cortisone creams, a cream of tartar paste, oatmeal in one’s bath water and even plain, simple cold water in the shower. These can all help to minimize the itching associated with hives and make it manageable. Some people looking for more complete relief from their hives itching can take antihistamine medication instead.  By blocking the action of histamine on the skin, this medication reduces the symptoms associated with hives.

Urticaria Diet and Food

There are other ways for patients to figure out how to stop itching from hives. One of them involves consulting a hives specialist to find out what allergens trigger their hives in the first place. If their hives are triggered by certain foods, then identifying these foods and excluding them from their diets will eliminate their hives episodes and, naturally, the itching associated with those episodes.

They can also eat urticaria diets. These are diets designed to minimize hives in all those who suffer from them. They make the body less conducive to those biochemical reactions that trigger hives. Such diets exclude fermented food and food that contains high histamine levels. They also exclude foods with artificial coloring and foods that contain benzoates and chemicals such as BHA and BHT, which are food preservatives or additives.

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Resources

http://www.hives-treatment.com/how-to-stop-itching-from-hives.html

http://www.ehow.com/how_5303873_stop-hives-itching.html

http://www.urticaria.thunderworksinc.com/pages/lowhistamine.htm


About the Angioedema Specialist

Angioedema is a condition that develops, often in response to an allergen. Because of its potential consequences, it is important for those suffering from it to consult an angioedema specialist. This angioedema specialist would be in a good position to diagnose the condition, to determine what its triggers and causes were, and to formulate an effective treatment plan for it.

So what exactly qualifies a medical doctor to be an angioedema specialist? And how would you go about finding one? First of all, it is important to note that a condition like angioedema is addressed by different sub-fields of medicine, so it is possible for medical doctors working in different fields of specialization to be angioedema specialists.

Who can be an Angioedema Specialist?

Many angioedema specialists are dermatologists. This is easy to understand. Dermatologists are medical doctors who treat patients of all ages for skin disorders, some STDs, and disorders of the nails, hair, and mouth. The primary focus of dermatologists is the skin. Hence, they treat both allergic and non-allergic conditions of the skin. A dermatologist who has plenty of experience treating patients with allergies is bound to come across patients who suffer from angioedema and urticaria often. Hence, he or she will come to recognize various manifestations of these conditions and will learn to see patterns and connections where other medical doctors might miss them.

Dermatologists can be a great resource for angioedema patients because they are often the first medical professionals consulted by those suffering from the condition. These patients may not know what exactly they have or why, but they can see that it affects the deeper layers of their skin. If a dermatologist is consulted under these circumstances and turns out to be an angioedema specialist, well and good. If not, the dermatologist can always refer the patient to another medical professional who he or she feels is better equipped to address the problem.

Other medical specialists who may be highly qualified to treat angioedema are allergy and immunology specialists. These are medical professionals whose training and experience have prepared them to deal with a variety of allergic and immune issues. Angioedema falls under their purview. Hence, they often have the knowledge and know-how to give angioedema patients great medical support. Pediatricians are also often consulted as angioedema specialists. Because their focus is the health of children, they have been exposed to a wide range of children’s illnesses and conditions. This makes them versatile and often equips them with broad understanding of the disease process and its connections with allergies and immunological processes.

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Resources

http://www.vitals.com/disorders/massachusetts/boston/angioedema/


Mayo Clinic and Hives

If you happen to have access to the website of the reputable Mayo Clinic, and hives is on your mind, a simple search can put a wealth of information about hives or urticaria at your fingertips. Type Mayo Clinic” and “hives” into a search engine and see for yourself where the subsequent search will lead.

The Mayo Clinic is a not-for-profit group specializing in medical practice and research. Their website is devoted to putting into patients hands the kind of information that will help them to make wise medical decisions and manage their health. Many medical conditions are described in great detail on the website of the Mayo Clinic, and hives is just one of them. The Mayo Clinic’s web pages on hives cover a wide range of information on the condition. They cover basic information about hives, including its description, symptoms and causes. The pages also cover the complications associated with hives, the processes involved in testing for it and diagnosing it, and the keys to preventing it. Patients looking for more information can also link to other relevant websites or they can read experts’ responses to questions. This makes the website an excellent resource for patients who are motivated to do research on their conditions and to understand them.

Heartburn and Hives

Those searching for useful information about hives are likely to find the information they are seeking on the website of the Mayo Clinic; and hives facts of this kind are likely to concern such matters as unique treatments. There is, for example, the little known fact that, on occasion, the medications typically taken for heartburn and hives medications are one and the same thing. While many people don’t realize this, some forms of heartburn medicine, called H2 antagonists, help to relieve hives when taken in tandem with regular antihistamines. Examples of these drugs are famotidine, ranitidine and cimetidine.

There is a distinct reason why these heartburn drugs work. The development of hives is triggered by the release of the chemical called histamine in the body. When patients take regular antihistamine drugs, their constituent chemicals target receptor molecules in the skin that would typically receive the chemical histamine. In the best case scenario, this prevents hives from developing. Sometimes, however, this is not enough to prevent hives from developing. Thus, patients have to take other drugs that have the capacity to interact with histamine receptors in the stomach. Heartburn drugs have this ability. This is why they can be effective in relieving patients’ hives after regular antihistamines have failed.

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Resources

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/about-mayoclinic.com/AM00073

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/drug-information/DR601907

http://www.ehow.com/way_5535444_chronic-hives-treatment.html#ixzz1nS873X95

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/AllergiesOther/story?id=4521891


Hives on Your Penis

There are a number of reasons why a person may get hives on their penis.  Hives on the penis have been linked to scabies, angioedema, STDs, and various allergic reactions.  Treatment options will depend on what has caused the hives.  It is important to see your doctor about hives on your penis or genital area, because they could have an effect on reproduction.

If you have hives on your penis, try to narrow down the cause by thinking about things that you have been exposed to.  Hives can appear as a result of cold or heat exposures, exposures to various foods or other allergens, or even emotional states.  Make a list of any possible reasons that you can think of, including sexual interactions, and take it with you when you go and speak with your doctor.  Taking Benadryl or another antihistamine in the meantime is a good thing to do, especially if you cannot see your doctor immediately.

One of the major reasons that people may have hives on their penis is because of angioedema, which is similar to urticarial.  Angioedema is characterized by a spontaneous swelling which occurs in areas of the skin or mucous membranes.  It is caused by a buildup of fluid which leaks from thin-walled blood vessels.  It is the same as having hives, but it occurs underneath the skin.  Sometimes it will be accompanied by hives, and in men and boys the scrotum and penis may be involved.  If the hives on your penis is caused by angioedema, the hives will likely be accompanied by a mild pain or burning sensation.

According to AllergyClinic.com, there are a number of possible causes for angioedema.  They  are:

Food Allergies

Rubber Latex

Other Allergies

Cardiovascular Medications

Anti-Inflammatory Drugs

High Blood Pressure Medications

Anxiety Medications

 

 Other Reasons You May Have Hives on Your Penis

A rash caused by scabies is often accompanied by hives.  The rash appears as tiny red bumps that are extremely itchy.  It may be accompanied by hives, and these may be hives on your penis.  Contrary to popular belief you don’t have to have sex with someone to have scabies.  It can be acquired by any type of skin-to-skin contact and sometimes even through bedding and furniture.  However, if you go see your doctor about hives on your penis, be prepared to talk to him about any sexual intercourse you have had as of late.  Treatment involves the application of creams and lotions which contain insecticides.  Thoroughly cleaning the house, vacuuming well, and washing all the clothes in hot water will be needed to abolish your scabies infestation.

 

Thrush is sometimes mistaken for hives on your penis, and could even be accompanied by them.  Thrush is a type of yeast infection which can occur in men.  One symptom found in thrush is sores which look like hives on the head and foreskin of the penis.  These sores are painful to the touch.  Consult with a medical professional immediately if you notice any of these symptoms.


Night Hives – Break out in itchy hives at night

Some people experience night hives, a break out in hives at night.  This is a curious occurrence.  People will get hives only at night, it will clear up during the day, and then the night hives will return in the evening.  So, what causes this strange situation?  It is simpler than you might think.

Your body actually produces its own anti-itch chemicals, according to BeyondAllergy.com.  These natural chemicals bring about relief when we have rashes, stings, and yes even hives.  As the sun goes down however, these chemicals decrease as our bodies prepare for sleep.  This is also why insect bites seem to itch more at night.

If you are having this type of trouble, oral antihistamines will usually relieve the itching and help you sleep.  Benadryl is most often recommended.  Drinking excess water during the day can help to relieve night hives too.  This is because it flushes the toxins that are causing your hives out of your body.

Rooibos tea has been recommended to help relieve hives.  This is because it contains quercetin, which is a natural antihistamine which also cleanses the body.  You may also try taking a cool shower or taking an oatmeal bath before bed to relieve night hives.  If a baby or young child is the one having this trouble, an oatmeal bath is probably the best option.  Most people use Aveeno.  If you decide to use an antihistamine on a child with night hives, be sure and read the label first.

 

 Other Reasons for Hives at Night

The scenario listed above is just one example of why hives breakout at night.  If you don’t feel that it explains your night hives, there are other possibilities.  Try to think of what you are exposed to at night.  Ask yourself the following questions to see if you can narrow down the cause for breaking out in hives at night:

 

  • Have you recently switched the soap that you wash your bed sheets or blankets with?
  •  Have you used any products on your bed that produce scents?
  •  Do you have pets that could be shedding pet dander?
  •  Are you taking any medications before you go to sleep at night?
  •  Are you normally exposed to heat, cold, or water before the hives appear?
  •  Do you sleep with the windows open, or is there any reason that you could have been bitten by an insect?
  •  Do you eat or touch foods such as shellfish, eggs, chocolate, nuts, milk, berries, soy, wheat, or fish before bed?
  •  Could pollen be making its way into your bedroom somehow?
  •  Do you have more stress or anxiety at night?
  •  Do you sweat a lot at night?
  •  Are your clothes tight fitting?

 

 


Stress Related Hives – New Info – Click Here

Over the last few decades it has become more and more clear how stress and anxiety trigger, intensify, elongate hives outbreaks.  Stress related hives are a part of a ‘fight or flight’ response in the body.  In other words, when the body detects stress, the sympathetic nervous system is activated.  This mobilizes the body’s defenses by creating a physiological response.  In this case the body activates the opening of blood vessels, which results in redness or blotchiness of the skin, in other words stress related hives.

The moment a stressful situation is sensed by the brain, this involuntary bodily reaction occurs.  Stress related hives are most common in people who get extremely anxious in stress related situations, such as in social situations or performance evaluations.  Some people are so sensitive to stress, that they will break out in stress related hives even during casual conversations.

Possibly the worst part of stress related hives is that the anxiety that you feel about your hives breakout intensifies that redness and itching even more.  So, not only do you experience more physical discomfort, but your confidence, social appearance, and professional performance are also impacted as well.  The results can be devastating both personally and professionally (HivecTen.com, 2012).

 

 Preventing Stress Related Hives

MySensitiveSkinCare.com provides six tips to help you prevent hives which are caused by stress.  If stress causes hives, the website states, then it makes perfect sense to prevent hives outbreaks by reducing stress.  Try the following techniques:

  1. Exercise – Exercise naturally reduces stress, in fact it raises your endorphin levels which makes you feel great.

 

  1. Drink plenty of water – Drink at least 64 ounces of water a day to ensure your body functions at its best.

 

  1. Get ample sleep each night – Everything gets worse when you are tired, and if your body is not functioning at its best then stress is more likely.  Getting adequate rest gives you a better chance of thinking clearly and managing stress effectively.

 

  1. Eat a diet that is healthy and balanced – Sugars, fats, artificial flavors, and preservatives should be avoided.  Try to eat more natural products such as whole grains, vegetables, lean proteins, and fruits.

 

  1. Make a list – Making a list allows you to get things off your mind and onto paper.  As you check off each item, your stress level usually will fall.

 

  1. Give yourself time to relax – Give yourself permission to do things that you want sometimes, or take time to do things just because you want to, not because you have to.

 


Natural Cure for Hives

Instead of relying on conventional methods to cure hives, people are beginning to look for techniques that may provide a natural cure for hives.  This is not surprising.  A natural cure for hives seems to have a better chance at overall success than any conventional method of treatment.  This is because natural cures, such as acupuncture and oriental medicine, address the underlying imbalances that cause the condition.  In other words, they are not just curing the symptoms but also fixing the problem at its source.

 

One natural cure for hives that has been proven to work time and time again is acupuncture.  Not only does it help to cure the current symptoms, but people have found that it sometimes helps to stop it from recurring.  Acupuncture and herbal medicines have been known to be used as a natural cure for hives and other skin conditions dating back to 3 AD.  Commonly used acupuncture points are spleen 10, located above the top inner corner of the knee cap, and large intestine 11 which is located in the depression at the outer part of the elbow crease.  This of course can vary from person to person.

 

Oriental Medicine & Hives

According to Acufinder.com, “In Oriental medicine, an outbreak of hives is described as wind invading the skin and the meridians, causing itching and swelling.”  The article goes on to say that if the eruption are red it indicates that wind and heat are involved, when they are white or pink the diagnosis will be wind-cold invading the skin.  This diagnosis will determine which herbal medicines and acupuncture points are used and what dietary or lifestyle changes must take place.

 

Dittany, spirodela, red peony, honeysuckle and mint are some of the oriental herbs that might be used.  Other oriental treatments include yoga, meditation, and cupping.  Cupping is a natural cure from hives that is much like an acupuncture treatment.  It is meant to help with blood circulation underneath the skin.

Diet is vital when it comes to trying to heal your body.  Mindbodybasics.com lays out the type of foods you should eat when trying to cure skin conditions.  It states, “Healthy skin is directly dependent of the amount of vitamin A in our diet.  Vitamin A acts as an antioxidant to neutralize harmful elements in our skin” the article goes on to say that Vitamin A is found in vegetable that have a deep orange color.  The following foods are recommended to be added to your diet:

 

  • Carrots
  • Sweet Potatoes
  • Blackberries
  • Blueberries
  • Strawberries
  • Plums
  • Salmon
  • Walnuts
  • Canola Oil
  • Flax Seed
  • Olive Oil
  • Whole Wheat Bread
  • Brown Rice
  • Turkey
  • Tuna
  • Brazil Nuts
  • Green Tea
  • Water

What Really Causes Hive and Angioedema ?

Find Out What Really Causes Hive and Angioedema. In this report Dr. Gary explains in details the ins and outs of Urticaria and Angioedema.
Find Out What Really Causes Hive and Angioedema


Lead Poisoning Quiz Report

If you thought children only got lead poisoning from chewing on a pencil, or thought that lead poisoning was a thing of the past, just browse through the news or do a search for recent toy recalls.

Lead poisoning, unfortunately, is alive and well and you might be amazed how much lead you are potentially exposed to. Take the quiz in our “Lead Poisoning Quiz report” and read the rest of the report to arm you with the knowledge to avoid and treat this preventable condition.

Lead Poisoning Quiz Report


Natural Sleep Enhancement Guide

These days, many of us seem to be leading hectic lives, maybe working untold hours at odd times of the day trying to always stay connected  while pushing sleep way down on our list of priorities. And to keep going we may be doubling, tripling and more up on coffee, soda or the next great energy drink. And then wondering why we can’t fall or stay asleep later.

Sleep deprivation may be affecting more than just you’re your mood, concentration and job performance, it may secretly be ruining your health.

However, before you run down to the drugstore for a little over-the-counter or prescription strength relief and risk the potential side effects, you may want to explore some natural sleep enhancement techniques.

Using these techniques should allow you to get a restful sleep the way nature intended and bring some balance back to your life.

 

Natural Sleep Enhancement Guide


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