Taking a range of nutrients, including vitamins, for hives has been described as one effective way to help ease the symptoms of the condition.

One can review medical studies for evidence of the role that vitamins can play in resolving hives. Alternatively, one can visit online discussion boards and forums for anecdotes of the relief that patients have gotten from taking vitamins for hives.

Examples Involving the Use of Vitamins for Hives Treatment

In a 1952 study on epinephrine precursors and the control of allergies, patients were given an amino acid, L-tyrosine, in combination with vitamin B6 and niacinamide (also known as vitamin B3). The targeted illnesses were all allergy-related and included hives, hay fever, allergic headaches and dermatitis (which was caused by poison oak). The combination of nutrients given in the study (in specified doses) gave the patients much relief from their symptoms. It was noted that each nutrient, when given to the patients in isolation from the other nutrients, did not give them relief from their symptoms.

Other forms of nutritional support have been given to patients suffering from hives. Vitamins and other nutrients have been combined in a mixture known as Myer’s cocktail, which consists of predetermined proportions of Magnesium, Calcium, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12, Vitamin B complex and Vitamin C. Using this combination of minerals and vitamins for hives treatment has given patients relief from their symptoms. Myer’s cocktail consists of nutrients that are often recognized to be deficient in the general population and whose deficiencies are implicated in the development of many diseases.

Another possible nutritional remedy involves taking single vitamins for hives. For instance some patients take high doses of Vitamin C when stricken by hives. Vitamin C works by ultimately lowering their bodily levels of histamine. In this way, the patients can find relief from their symptoms. Other patients receive regular injections of Vitamin B12. This form of vitamin therapy results in a drop in the number and severity of hives attacks to which the patients succumb. Vitamin D, specifically in the form of Vitamin D2, is also taken in high doses by some hives patients. It is said to work well on solar hives. As for vitamin E, some apply oils containing it to their affected skin and, in this way, get some relief from the discomfort.

Is It Possible to Get Hives from Vitamins?

Vitamins clearly play an important role in the treatment of hives. But is the opposite possible? Can vitamins cause hives? It is certainly possible for a patient to get hives from vitamins. On rare occasions, patients can develop direct allergies to vitamin molecules. It is, however, more likely for them to develop allergies to some of the non-active ingredients of the vitamin supplements they ingest. These might include artificial sweeteners, food coloring and other compounds.

It is easy to define what urticaria is and what prompts those raised and itchy splotches on the skin. But urticaria causes and treatment is not the same matter. Urticaria, or hives is, in short words, a hypersensitive reaction in the skin to a release of histamine. But what exactly are the urticaria causes and treatment.

Acute urticaria causes

Acute urticaria is simply an outbreak of hives that happens only once or twice, and in no case reoccurs over a period exceeding six weeks. Acute urticaria causes and treatment are the hardest to pin down. The outbreak often comes and goes before the patient ever gets to the doctor to look at it, therefore a cause cannot be anything other than a guess. And honestly, if you only have a short outbreak, the acute urticaria causes and treatment don’t even really matter, because treatment isn’t really needed for a condition that no longer exists and doesn’t come back.

Causes of chronic urticaria

What causes urticaria in chronic cases is much more difficult to answer than the chemical action that make the symptoms appear. There are both allergic and non-allergic causes. Some of the non-allergic chronic urticaria causes include:

• Autoimmune related
• Hormone triggers
• Anxiety triggers
• Exercise-related triggers
• Temperature extremes
• Solar exposure

Some urticaria is allergy related. Some of these may be:

• Alcohol, codeine, cocaine, and other illicit drugs
• Prescription and OTC drugs like NSAIDS, antihistamines, antibiotics, and vaccinations
• Food allergies like dairy, wheat, shellfish, food additives, and proteins
• Insect bites and/or infections
• Certain perfumes and deodorants, and body powders

Urticaria causes and treatments are easy in the above examples. The causes are usually something the patient has just used or come in contact with and the treatment is to avoid those agents.

Urticaria causes and treatment in the homeopathy field

It is best to not start using antihistamines or cortisones if you can avoid it. They become almost habit forming in the sense that once started, if you stop using them the hives come back almost inevitably.

The alternative treatments attempt to treat urticaria at the immunological level. The idea is that treating the hives at the immunological level will take care of the underlying causes of urticaria instead of just treating the symptoms. When you do this, the symptoms never appear and in effect you are dealing with the urticaria causes and treatment at the same time without becoming the slave to a prescription or OTC medicine. The problem, whatever the cause, is an immunological problem and that is the way you should try to treat it.

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

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.

There are various forms of acute hives treatment. Conventional forms usually involve antihistamines, and in more serious forms the use of oral steroids. A good diet and avoidance of the allergens is also part of acute hives treatment. However, in most cases of acute hives the cause is never found.

Hives are considered acute if they have been present for less than six weeks. In most cases, acute hives will only last a few days, and normally no longer than two weeks. Although overall hives are usually a result of an over-active immune system, case of hives are usually triggered by some sort of allergen.

Before treatment begins, doctors will usually try to identify what triggered the reaction. Reactions are typically caused by infections, drugs, insect stings, food allergies, or physical contact with items. So, if you can recall any new medication, new foods, or other items you have been in contact with it will be helpful.

Whether the trigger is identified or not the doctor will prescribe an antihistamine.  Antihistamines are usually categorized by new and older forms. Older antihistamines like Benadryl and Vistaril often have bothersome side effects and have to be taken more often. Newer forms such as Claritin and Allegra only have to be taken once or twice. Most people like these more for acute hive treatment because they cause less drowsiness.

Severe hives do not get better with antihistamines so oral steroids will be prescribed. If these do not help either, the doctor will discuss other treatments that are available and probably recommend a dermatologist of allergist. There are natural treatments that can be used for acute hive treatment, but they should be discussed with your doctor first.

Acute Hives Causes

In hives, acute cases can have several different causes. Most people believe that they are a result of an allergic reaction, but in reality they have a deeper underlying cause, although it isn’t always identified. According to Allergies.about.com, one of the most common causes is a viral infection, especially in children. Sometimes acute hives are also related to other infections like athlete’s foot, strep throat, and urinary tract infections.

Stress is another common cause of acute hives. You may not even feel particularly stress, but if you are very busy your body may react. Chronic infections such as hepatitis or metabolic diseases such as high or low thyroid function also may be root causes, but they are usually linked to chronic forms of hives. If you think that you or someone you know may be breaking out in hives, you can take a look at acute hives pictures on the web at the following sites:

• Skinsight.com
• Dermatology.about.com
• Worldallergy.org

We all have questions about hives, but what we really would like to know is how we can get rid of hives, or get rid of urticaria. The answers are simpler than you think. This article will help you to find the answers you need, but primarily how to get rid of hives.

So, how do you get rid of hives? One of the leading ways to get rid of hives is using essential oils. Not only do they sooth your skin, but they have curing properties as well. Sandalwood, lavender, and chamomile are great essential oils to try. Another approach to get rid of hives is eating foods high in quercetin, which is a pigment found naturally in foods like onions, apples, and green vegetables. This works because it is high in anti-oxidants and anti-histimines.

How to Get Rid of Hives Fast

For one reason or another, many people want to know “How do I get rid of hives fast?” One way suggested by Ayurvediccure.com to get rid of hives fast is to take a quick dip in the swimming pool. Chlorine will take the itch out and hives are known to disappear in a couple of hours. Warning: Both chlorine and cold water have been known to cause severe reactions in some people, so you may not want to do this if you do not know exactly what you are allergic to.

How to Get Rid of Hives Quickly

Okay, for whatever reason the last option is not viable for you, but your still want to know “How can I get rid of hives quickly?” Hives-treatment.com suggests that the best way is with antihistamines. Take Benadryl or Zyrtec, and add an inexpensive gastric reflux medicine such as rantidine orcimetidine. These will work in combination to get rid of your symptoms fast. Making ice cubes out of mint tea and applying to the skin has also been known to work fast.

How to Get Rid of Hives on Face

The best way to get rid of hives on your face is to apply ice packs or cold compresses to your face. Adding colloidal oatmeal and baking soda to a tub of cool water will reduce your body temperature. Also, eliminating sources of stress or finding ways to cope with stress (event taking anxiety medication) will help get rid of hives on you face (Livestrong.com, 2011).

How to Get Rid of Hives Naturally

Another common question is “how to get rid of hives with home remedies?” There are lots of ways to get rid of hives naturally without even leaving your house. Making pastes with oatmeal or baking soda help, as well a drinking green tea or chamomile tea. These also will lower your stress level and sooth your hives. Many people don’t know this but just taking a cool bath lowers your histamine levels, and therefore your symptoms.

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

It may be challenging to find the right hives medications. Most of the time if the trigger is identified, (in other words the food, medication, or physical stimulus that causes the reaction) then it can be avoided. Also, if the hives are caused by an underlying health condition they may go away with the treatment of that condition. For the most part, however, antihistamines are the medicines administered to treat hives.

Antihistamines block the release of histamines in the body. These hives medications can help control symptoms even in cases of chronic hives.  According to emedicinehealth.com, antihistamines are broken into two types: H1 and H2. Short-acting H1 type antihistamines, such as Benadryl, are used in more mild cases. These are usually fairly inexpensive and can be bought over the counter. Long-acting antihistamines, such as Claritin and Zyrtec, may also be used for mild cases.

Prescription antihistamines are often administered by doctors. These include Atarax, Vistaril, Allegra, and Xyzal. Xyzal (levocetirizine) is prescribed often because it does not cause as much drowsiness. Type H2 antihistamines are medications such as Zantac, Tagamet, and Pepcid. They have been found to improve the rash and swelling if taken along with an H1 antihistamine.

Other Medications

In more severe cases, or in cases where hives don’t respond to antihistamines, oral steroids like prednisone or medrol may be prescribed. These help by suppressing the immune system so that allergic reactions don’t occur. Doxepin is an antidepressant that has antihistamine effect. Although antidepressants such as these are not officially approved as hives medications, many doctors find them to be very effective in treating hives.

Epinephrine is administered in more severe cases of hives. This is a powerful histamine blocker that works quickly to reverse allergic reactions, including anaphylactic shock. It is usually injected or given by an IV line. A saline solution may be given through an IV as well in order to increase blood pressure. Other medications also may be given to keep blood pressure raised.  Some severe cases of hives do require hospitalization.

Sometimes swelling (angioedema) can occur and it can block airways. Oxygen may be given through a tube or face mask in times like these. Angeioedema is swelling that occurs suddenly beneath the surface of the skin. Welts and swelling on the skins surface are common too.

People who have angeioedema often need to be hospitalized even when treatments go well. This is because the chance of it reoccurring is high. Angioedema medications are basically the same as hives medications, with the exception of Terbutaline, which is a bronchodilator. If swelling occurs that is making it hard to breath, seek immediate medical attention so that a tube can be placed to keep the airway open.

Before hives management, also known as urticaria management, can take place, a person must have a thorough understanding of their condition. Urticaria is characterized by redness, swelling, and itching in small areas of the skin. These patches can grow and recede in less than a day; however it will usually occur in other locations and may take four to six weeks to resolve itself.

People often think that the cause of hives is allergies, but even in acute cases there is usually a more serious cause such as immunity or digestive problems. Instead, the allergens are really just triggers that cause the hives to manifest. So, in order to practice any kind of hives management, one must treat the source of the problem.

Keeping a diet high in vitamin C will help you to support your immune system, and make your hives reaction less frequent. Drinking lots of water also helps, by keeping your body free of toxins. In addition, diets that have high amounts of quercetin will give you natural antihistamines and antioxidants.

Urticaria and Treatment

Management of chronic urticaria takes special treatment under a physicians care as well as at home. Mild cases of hives simply need antihistamines, but more severe cases of urticaria may require oral corticosteroids. Sometimes swelling occurs (angioedema), and swelling of the airways may cause weezing, respiratory distress, or even airway obstruction. In such cases, emergency injection of epinephrine may be required (Enotes.com, 2011).

The best way to manage hives at home is to use Aloe Vero gel. Not only will it treat the itching and burning, but it has healing properties as well. Many people don’t know this, but taking a cool bath or shower at home helps to release histamines from your body. Just make sure to watch the temperature because extreme heat or cold could make the hives worse.

Sandalwood or primrose essential oils help to manage hives breakouts as well. So, does boiling mint, making a solution or paste out of it, and applying it to the skin. Be sure to speak to your doctor before trying any kind of hives management remedies, especially in cases of urticaria management as some herbs can actually make symptoms worse.

Other things to try in management of urticaria, is to try to avoid situations which may make hives worse. Wear loose fitting clothing made of cotton or other fabrics that breathe well. Avoid heavy exercise or hot temperatures.  Also, you may think about keeping a journal and tracking exposures, if you are unsure what triggers your breakouts.

People commonly ask “how to stop hives” and it is not an easy question to answer. However, there are lots of possibilities out there. There are many ways to stop hives from occurring, and with a little dedication and a few life changes it can be done.

Many people mistake hives for simply an allergic reaction. If you want to learn how to stop hives, you’ll have to look at the bigger picture. Hives is an allergic reaction, however it usually stems from bigger problems, such as immune deficiencies or digestive problems. So, in order to know how to stop hives, you have to start at the source.

The best way to stop hives is to take care of your body. This means keeping a balanced diet with moderate exercise. Good diets for hives usually include those that are high in vitamin C, have a high fiber content, and include meats such as poultry and fish such as salmon. Exercise relieves stress and can release toxins too. Don’t exercise too heavily though, as excess body heat can trigger hives. Also, drinking lots of water keeps toxins out of your body and is a very excellent way of stopping hives.

Stop hives from Itching

There are many way to start hives itching episodes. One basic way to stop hives itching is simply to take a cool shower. Another way to stop hives itching is by using Aloe Vera gel. Aloe Vera has been known for centuries as a way to treat skin. By applying you not only help in skin regeneration and immunity, but it will stop itching from hives almost immediately.

There are many websites with information on how to stop itching from hives. One of which is skinhivestreatment.org, which recommends using essential oils such as Sandalwood, lavender, and chamomile. Another thing that is recommended is in how to stop hives is quercetin. This is a pigment that is found naturally in foods such as onions, apples, and green vegetables. It is a natural antihistamine and antioxidant.

Different forms of mint are often recommended to stop itching from hives. For example, one remedy is to take a mint herb and boil it for 5 minutes, as though you’re making tea. Then strain the herbs from the water, poor in ice cube trays and freeze. Not only will these cubes stop itching hives, but they will help in the healing process as well. You can find more information on how to stop hives at Myhomeremedies.com, Ehow.com, and Hives-treatment.com.