Among the triggers of hives, infection plays a prominent role. Various infections can play a role in triggering hives: infection with bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites come to mind. Helicobacter pylori, the bacteria that have been associated with the development of some stomach ulcers, have also been shown to be associated with hives. Some medical studies on patients with Helicobacter pylori have shown that, upon antibiotic treatment for this bacterial infection, hives and stomach ulcers alike are cured.

In addition to Helicobacter pylori infections, other bacterial infections have been shown to trigger hives: Cystitis and tonsillitis have been associated with acute hives. Infection with Yesinia and various streptococci and staphylococci, especially in the gastrointestinal, upper respiratory, dental and ENT regions has been tied to chronic hives. The successful treatment of all these bacterial infections using antibiotics cures the patients’ hives.

Viral Infection and Hives

As mentioned above, infections of various kinds are responsible for triggering different forms of hives. Viral infection is a common acute hives trigger among children. Rubella, herpes, influenza, the common cold and infectious mononucleosis are just a few examples of viral infections that have been associated with hives in children.

The mechanisms by which viral infections trigger hives are often not clearly understood. Thus, it would be problematic to unambiguously assert that viral infections caused hives. However, it is appropriate to say that viral infections trigger hives. The word “trigger” implies that sometimes viral infections play a role in setting the hives mechanism into motion, even though such a role might not be direct.

When they are triggered by a viral infection, hives tend to appear spread out on different parts of the body. This is referred to as a generalized skin condition. It is distinctly different from the localized skin condition known as contact urticaria. Contact urticaria is provoked by direct contact with allergenic substances. Hence the rash develops in the area of skin that comes into direct contact with the allergen. Something similar happens with forms of physical urticaria such as dermatographism: The urticarial wheals develop on the areas of skin that are subjected to physical pressure.

Yeast Infection, Hives and the Connection between Them

Candida albicans is the fungus responsible for causing oral thrush and vaginal yeast. When the body’s friendly bacteria, Lactobacillus acidophilus fails to keep the growth of Candida and other organisms under control, then they allow the development of a yeast infection. Hives is sometimes associated with yeast infections: it has shown to be a factor in sensitizing the body and predisposing it towards developing chronic hives. Infection with yeast has the added disadvantage of playing a role in the development of conditions like psoriasis, irritable bowel syndrome and asthma.

It doesn’t matter if you are suffering from hives or angioedema, neither one is a pleasant experience. Many patients feel desperate and hopeless. However, if you learn the basics of these diseases and how to treat them properly, you can make your life much easier.

Let us first consider the differences: angioedema is deep inside the skin and usually not visible with naked eye, whereas hives are on the dermis or upper layer of the skin. Hives rashes are itchy while angioedema swelling is not itchy, but can be painful in some cases.

Angioedema can be lethal, but hives do not threaten the patient’s life. As far as the similarities are concerned, both of these diseases have pretty similar triggers and causes e.g. allergies, pressure, stress, extreme temperatures as well as similar treatment

Do read my next post equating dermographism and angioedema which will be here in the upcoming week.

Today’s blog will show a brief comparison between hives and dermographism. By learning about this you will be able to understand and differentiate these two skin problems. This will  help in giving hives treatment or dermographism treatment, not matter which disease are you suffering from.

Let us first understand the difference: Hives is the commonly used name for urticaria and dermographism is a subtype of urticaria. Hives welts can be scattered anywhere on the body and may vary in size from the size of a pinhead to covering a whole body part.

On the other hand, dermographism rashes appear in the form of writing usually on forearm and legs. The similarities between them include: welts of both the diseases are itchy in nature, and their treatment is similar. Furthermore, the triggers and causes are also alike.

To find out about the comparison of hives and angioedema, see my next post .

To some people, it will be a surprise that urticaria and hives are the two names of one disease. Actually urticaria is the medical name, while hives is the commonly used name for red itchy wheals that can outbreak anywhere on your skin.

Similarly urticaria treatment or hives treatment are also the same. The most common and popular treatment is the intake of antihistamines. Actually antihistamines are drugs which counter the effect of histamine release by the mast cells. Mast cells are a part of the defense mechanism widespread in the human skin and when disturbed they release these fluids which result in itchy rashes and wheals which are usually red or pink in color.

If you want to read the similarities and differences between urticaria and dermographism, do not forget to read the next post due next week.

People suffering from hives know how itchy the hives rashes can be, but sometimes the itching gets so bad that it becomes literally intolerable. When you experience that stage, do not forget to try these steps which will reduce the itching and burning .

If you want to show off your body by wearing tight clothes, postpone the show for some other time as these clothes can multiply the itching.

Most of the time the  itchy hives can be a great nuisance, but it is amazing that simply exposing the affected area to fresh air reduces the itching significantly.

Similarly, cooling down the affected with an ice pack, cool compression or simply a cloth dipped in cold water can reduce the itching.

However, even after trying all these steps if the itching is still persisting, you may take non-sedating over the counter antihistamines. But the best approach in this case would be to consult a hives specialist.

Next week, dermographism and its most common types will be posted along with some more valuable home remedies.

Hives be easy to get, but they can put up a great fight when you try to cure them. Though there are certain types e.g. acute hives, which usually vanish within a few hours after their outbreak, some other types e.g. chronic hives, can stay for much longer. The patient usually become disappointed after trying antihistamines or other expensive products. But if you follow these simple tips, you will minimize the chances of getting hives.

If you have a family history regarding hives, do not wait for the hives symptoms to appear, rather consult a qualified doctor for a early diagnosis.  Whether you are likely to get hives or not  start a proper hives treatment. Some people are allergic to certain items or foods, if you are one of them, avoid these allergens. If you have an over reactive immune system, you need to be extra careful as you have more chance of becoming prey to hives. Furthermore, you should avoid the extreme temperatures.

But what if you already have developed hives, and the itching has crossed all the limits of tolerance? Read my post next week and find out the best,simple solution.

Some hives patients might think learning the pathophysiology is unnecessary. It is the study of changes of normal biochemical functions, mechanical, and physical, in the human bodies which are caused by a disease or any other abnormal syndrome. So they might think this should be studied by medical students or DRs only, but if you know the hives pathophysiology, then the hives treatment will be a lot easier to manage.

The most common symptom of hives is the hives rashes. These rashes are caused by the release of certain fluids including histamines, bradykinin, leukotriene C4, and some other vasoactive fluids by the mast cells. Hives rashes can also involve  capillary or membrane damage as well. When these fluids e.g. histamines are released into the dermis, the hives rashes appear on the skin, which are itchy and usually red in color.

If you want to learn how you can stay safe from hives, do not miss the next post due in the upcoming week.

Hives is the common name of urticaria which can be a most uncomfortable condition. By learning about the hives you can get better equipped to help with hives treatment and the other related conditions.

Although the hives themselves are not deadly, their related conditions can be a serious threat to one’s life.
Hives usually have angioedema as their related condition. Angioedema is quite similar to hives in many aspects but in angioedema there is a swelling instead of welts, which occurs deeper in the skin. The swelling usually occurs on the face: around lips, eyes and that is why it is also called facial angioedema. If hives are accompanied by angioedema, they should be paid serious attention, especially if they occurred in response to an allergen. Furthermore, angioedema can cause suffocation and threaten the life of the patient, therefore a proper angioedema treatment should also be carried out when treating the hives.

Do not miss my upcoming post next week as I will be describing the pathophysiology of hives in simple terms.

People suffering from hives, especially in the case of chronic hives treatment, are desperate, as they feel they have reached a dead-end. However, there is always a way out, all you need is to keep trying. Here are some simple tips which can boost your efforts when you are looking for hives treatment.

1: The foremost thing is to find out the actual causes and triggers of hives; once you are done with this, mark these items as a no go area for you.
2: Some people have a more active autoimmune system as compared to others, they specifically need to avoid all the foods and offending objects that can disturb the immune system.
3: No matter if it is you or your child, make sure the affected area is not touched or rubbed unnecessarily.

4: Try some simple home remedies, but if the condition still persists consult a qualified doctor.

You must read my next post about hives and their related conditions next week if you want to know which other disorders can accompany hives.

Hives can be very annoying because of their burning and itching, so today’s post will be telling you about some simple home remedies for the more common types of hives. According to surveys, nearly 5% of the population suffer from hives once in their life. The most common types of hives are heat hives, physical hives, autoimmune hives etc.

Arguably, the most frequently observed form of hives are heat induced hives and the best home remedy is cooling down the affected area of the skin with cool compression or an ice pack.

Hives and stress can be a chronic and recurring problem, and the best tip is to lead a happy stress-free life. Avoiding alcohol or keeping its intake to a minimum also helps.

In the case of autoimmune hives, taking over the counter antihistamines can counter the effect of histamine release.

To manage itchy hives, the patient can apply calamine lotion, vitamin E oil or Aloe Vera gel on the affected area twice a day.

Next week I will post five extremely important tips when you are managing any type of hives, do not forget to read them.