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

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

An urticaria rash is any rash in which red patches and weals occur in the skin. They are brought about when histamine is released and causes small blood vessels to leak, which in turn causes tissue swelling. Urticaria rash may come in several different from and the treatment and severity is different for each.

Acute urticaria, chonic urticaria, angioedema, and uticarial vasculitis are all either different types of urticaria rash or closely related to the condition. Of all of these, angioedema is the most severe. This is because the swelling occurs underneath the skin, and if the throat swells, emergency intervention will be needed to restore breathing. Cold urticaria may also be fatal as it can bring about anaphylactic shock, a serious allergic reaction with a rapid onset.

Urticaria Nettle Rash

Nettle rash is another word for urticaria or hives. It got its name from the Latin term urtica because it looks like the reaction that occurs with contact of a stinging nettle. Although the causes are normally unknown, cases of the skin rash urticaria are due to an overactive immune system overall. However, sometimes triggers may cause rash urticaria, or nettle rash. These common triggers are listed by Netdoctor.co.uk:

• Food such as eggs, nuts, strawberries, seafood, and much more.
• Pollen and fungal spores
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• Insect bites
• Viruses, Parasites, or Bacteria
• Contact with plants such as the stinging nettle
• Heat and cold exposures
• Stings from animals or insects
• Substances such as perfumes, preservatives, nickel, or tar

Urticaria skin rash, otherwise known as nettle rash, has two basic types: acute and chronic. Acute cases are anything that lasts less than six weeks, and chronic cases are any that last longer or are more frequent. Cases of urticaria have been known to last for days, months, and sometimes even years.

According to Claritine.eu “nettle rash is one of the most frequent skin disease experienced by one forth of the population at least once in life.” Nettle rash is very common, and most of the time symptoms are not severe. However, they can be highly irritating.

Treatment of this type of rash usually involves antihistamines, and corticosteroids in more severe cases. Many times people will seek home remedies in order to cut down on the levels of irritation. Acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine is also growing in popularity for treating urticaria rash. Conventional treatment should of course be continued and treatment options should be discussed with a physician.

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.

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?

Acute Urticaria is any form of hives that lasts less than six weeks. Hives is a skin reaction in which smooth, slightly elevated patches called wheals form on the skin. The lesions do not scar and usually resolve themselves after several hours.  However, sometimes they do return. Eruptions rarely last several days but they can go on for weeks. You can find acute urticaria pictures at Webmd.com, Skinsight.com, and Uptodate.com.

In urticaria, acute cases tend to stay idiopathic, which means the cause is never found. However, hives are usually attributed to an overactive immune system.  Your doctor will try to help you identify the acute urticaria causes. If what triggered the reaction is unknown, the patient is told to try and avoid potential allergens such certain medications and certain foods. If the hives are reoccurring, it is advisable to try and narrow down what is triggering the hives by making lists of what you come in contact with from day to day.

Acute Urticaria Treatment

Antihistamines are the primary agents used to treat urticaria. They come in two different classes: the older, first generation antihistamines and second-generation antihistamines. The older class tend to have more side effects, such as drowsiness but they are very effective. The second-generation antihistamines are non-sedating and have very few adverse effects (Emedicine.medscape.com, 2011).

In more severe case of acute urticaria, or in cases where antihistamines fail, corticosteroids may be used. These drugs stabilize the mast cell membranes, inhibiting further histamines from being release. They also reduce inflammation.  Long-term use of corticosteroids may cause adverse effects, but this isn’t usually a problem with acute urticaria. Antihistamines usually do the trick. The rash will usually disappear within 24-48 hours (Goodtoknow.co.uk, 2011).

Usually hives in children are triggered by food allergies. Other common triggers are skin contact with plants, stings, chemicals, cosmetics, or latex. Viral infections, such as the flu, can trigger rashes in some people. Treatment of acute urticaria in children is treated in pretty much the same fashion.

In additions to medical treatment, many people find alternative treatment to use at home because the itching and burning sensations of acute urticaria are normally hard to handle. It is important to know not to take aspirin as it is known to make hives worse. It can also cause a condition called Reye’s syndrome. Many people take a cool bath or shower to take care of the itch. Baths in cornstarch and baking soda can also be helpful. Aloe Vera gel is also known to be effective in giving immediate relief to symptoms and healing the skin.

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.

Having urticaria and fever usually means that the hives are due to an illness. According to Hives.org, the flu, hepatitis B, parasitic worms and strep throat are the most common reasons for having urticaria and fever. Although, the hives may be itchy and irritating, it is best to treat the fever first. If you are having fever with urticaria, it is recommended that you consult a dermatologist soon.

Urticaria with fever and joint pain may be a sign that it is actually urticarial vasculitis. This condition is much like urticaria but the treatment of the two disorders are very different, so it is important to distinguish between the two. In this condition the hives are painful, last more than 24 hours, and may bruise or discolor the skin as they heal. Your doctor can perform simple tests to decipher the two conditions.

Treatment of a Urticaria Fever

Many times, if you treat the illness or infection that causes the fever, the hives will soon go away on their own. This doesn’t make them anymore pleasant in the meantime though. Use Aloe Vera gel to soothe itchiness and heal the skin in the meantime. Primrose oil or other essential oils may help as well.  Take in lots of vitamin C too; this will not only help your immune system fight the infection, but will help get rid of the hives as well.

Make sure that when treating urticaria and fever you do not take any medications that contain aspirin. This may help your fever, but will make your hives symptoms worse. The same can be said for other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen, high blood pressure meds, and some painkillers such as codeine or morphine. Many people take hot baths to get rid of fevers too. This is wrong in cases of urticaria and fever, because hot water often causes the irritation to get worse.

Hives-treatment.com suggests consulting a dermatologist as soon as possible for the best treatment. The site also suggests Apis to help with the burning pain and any sudden breakout in sweat. Arsenicum helps with burning sensations and persistent thirsts as well. Cold or cool water can help in reducing inflammation. In addition, vitamin B12 is a great supplement to take for both urticaria and fever.

If your fever rises up, or your body is not responding to treatment this could be a sign of an infection and you should contact your doctor right away. In addition, if fever rises too high you should get help immediately, especially in cases that involve children. Emergency help should also be sought if someone is having trouble breathing, such as in cases of anioedema.

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

The two most feared diseases related to skin are undoubtedly urticaria and angioedema. Though there are many similarities between these two, there are some major differences between them. Certain symptoms, help in distinguishing between them, and can be beneficial in the urticaria treatment as well as angioedema treatment.

Let us first consider the differences: urticaria is on the dermis or upper layer of the skin, whereas angioedema is deep inside. Urticaria wheals are itchy while angioedema swelling is not itchy but can be painful in some cases. Angioedema can be deadly but urticaria does not threaten the patient’s life. As far as the similarities are concerned, both the disease have pretty similar triggers and causes e.g. allergies, pressure, stress, extreme temperatures. Their treatments are also similar to some extent.

Next weeks post will be about hives and dermographism with some amazing surprises.