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Healing Hives with Natural Remedies

How to Heal Hives

The medical term that doctors use for hives is urticaria. This refers to the rings and patches found on the skin. Hives appear in groups and look like pale, red swellings. Healing hives with ahives treatment is not particularly difficult. However, once you understand what is causing the hives, it is possible to find a hives treatment quickly. If you understand how to heal hives, then you will be able to find relief if you ever suffer from them.

Problems While Healing Hives

Rashes on the skin are a common problem and can be easily cured with the help of hives treatment. The rashes and lumps can vary in size and intensity and are usually related to how much of the allergen to which you have been exposed. Different people have a hive reaction to different stimuli, but healing hives is always the same no matter what. Removing yourself from the allergen will allow your body’s natural defenses to get rid of what caused the outbreak.

Treatments to Heal Hives 

Healing hives, or at least  treating the symptoms of hives is not very difficult. One of the most common ways of doing so is by running a bath that contains oatmeal and allowing it to steep for approximately half an hour before climbing in. The oatmeal will wick away any allergens, and that will help reduce the amount of irritation and itchiness that you feel.

Another way to heal hives is to apply calamine lotion to the affected area. Calamine lotion has long been recognized as helping to reduce itch. It is often used to treat itchy symptoms and is used on illnesses such as chicken pox in addition to healing hives.

If that does not work, then it is probably a good idea to consult a doctor, as he will know how to heal hives. He may prescribe medicine to treat the hives. Often, the active ingredient in that medicine is zinc oxide, though others use antihistamines to reduce swelling as well.

 


Exercise Induced Hives

What about Exercise Induced Hives?

Every doctor would advise people to exercise daily, but did anyone tell you that exercise can cause you severe skin problems?

It is the case with exercise induced hives.

It is a common misconception among most of the people that exercise induced hives is some kind of exercise allergy, because is a form of hives that happens during exercise.

The common symptoms are itching, swelling or and colored wheals on the legs, arms, torso, neck or any other part of the skin during or right after the exercise.

If you want to know how you can avoid exercise induced hives, read here to read the detailed article.

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It is a common misconception among many people that exercise induced hives is some kind of exercise allergy. However, it is a form of hives that occurs during exercise. The patient may have itching, swelling, or  colored wheals on the legs, arms, torso, neck, or any other part of the skin during or right after  exercise.

This type of hives is similar in nature to hives and stress. Usually, sweating is considered to be the physical trigger; however, the actual cause is a sudden increase in  body temperature. The rash may appear on the skin within a few minutes and may remain for 30 minutes or more. There can be some extreme cases in which the person may feel suffocation and may faint. If this happens, you must consult a doctor instantly.

Hives Exercise

Every doctor will tell you that exercise is very good for your health. It is an irony if you get a skin problem due to exercise. Hives are itchy, colorful wheals that develop on your skin during physical exercise. They appear abruptly, are extremely itchy, and then disappear without a trace within a few minutes or hours. Though it can be triggered by food allergies,  exercise is the cause for hives exercise.

Exercise induced hives develop when your skin suddenly warms during exercise and body temperature undergoes a rapid change. Once your skin reaches a certain temperature, itchy welts suddenly occur. The hives usually appear on the stomach, back, or chest, but can occur anywhere, including on the face.

Hives and Exercise

Eating cheese, seafood, celery, or wheat within a few hours of  exercising can trigger an outbreak. People who have exercise-induced hives may also experience a reaction when they take medications such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen before exercising.

Hives from Exercise

If you are prone to hives, then you should be careful with your exercise and workout routine. It is better to consult a physician before indulging in such activities.

 


Eczema and Hives

What is the difference between Eczema and Hives?

Do you know what the is difference between the two skin problems mentioned in the title of this blog?

Many people are confused about if eczema and hives are the same. For better understanding and making the difference between eczema and hives clear, I am defining both the terminologies separately.

Hives, also called itchy hives, urticaria or nettle rash, is a skin problem characterized by the presence of red wheals on the skin which may cause itchiness.

Eczema is a Greek word with literal meaning of “to boil out”. Eczema is a form of dermatitis or inflammation of the outer layer of the skin.

People confuse eczema with hives because of the similar appearance, however, eczema is often likely to be found on the flexor aspect of joints, whereas hives can occur on any part of your skin. Read here for more on eczema and hives.

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Many people are confused as to whether eczema and hives are the same or if there is any difference between them. For a better understanding and in making the difference between eczema and hives clear, I am defining both the terms separately.

Hives, also called itchy hives, urticaria, or nettle rash, is a skin problem characterized by the presence of red wheals on the skin, which may cause itchiness. Hives can occur in response to an allergic reaction, but there are also many non-allergic factors that can cause hives.

Eczema is a Greek word  literally meaning  “to boil out.” Eczema is a form of dermatitis or inflammation of the outer layer of the skin (the epidermis). Most of the time, people confuse eczema with hives due to the similar appearance; however, eczema is more likely to be found on the flexor aspect of joints, whereas hives can occur on any part of your skin.

Hives Eczema

In the medical arena, the term eczema is largely applied to a diverse range of continual skin disorders. These skin problems include dryness and recurring skin rashes, such as chronic hives or chronic urticaria. These skin problems are usually typified by one or more of these symptoms: itchiness, dryness, redness, swelling, oozing, blistering, crusting, flaking, cracking, and bleeding etc.

A hives and eczema outbreak comparison will better differentiate between them. Hives can be caused by allergic factors, non-allergic factors, and the condition can be hereditary. On the other hand, eczema is mostly believed to have a hereditary constituent. It often runs in families whose members also have asthma and/or hay fever. With people who suffer from eczema, itchy rash is particularly noticeable on the face and scalp, neck, inside of elbows, behind knees, and buttocks.

If you have been suffering from hives or eczema for an extended period of time and the symptoms are not going away or if you are having additional problems, such as asthma or low blood pressure, you should consult a doctor.

 


Contact Hives

How do people get Contact Hives?

It is always good to know about a disease before you get it.

You might stop touching many things if I tell you they can cause you hives!

But if you know the triggers and avoid them, you can stay safe. As apparent by its name, contact hives, is an instant but momentary localized swelling and redness which occurs on the skin after direct contact with certain offending stimuli.

There are many cases of contact hives caused by a variety of compounds, such as foods, preservatives, fragrances, plant, animal products, and metals. Learn more about contact hives,on this article.

 

Contact hives should be distinguished from other allergic contact dermatitis where dermatitis reactions develop for a long time after coming in contact with certain offending stimuli.

As apparent by the name contact hives, an instant but momentary localized swelling and redness occurs on the skin after direct contact with certain offending stimuli. Reports of contact hives caused by a variety of compounds, such as foods, preservatives, fragrances, plant and animal products, and metals, continue to be reported. Symptoms are similar to other types of physical hives, i.e. hives and stress.

In different cases of contact hives, the contact can be immunologic and nonimmunologic. Causes of nonimmunologic contact hives include balsam of Peru, benzoic acid, cinnamic alcohol, cinnamic aldehyde, sorbic acid, and dimethylsulfoxide. Causes of immunologic contact hives include natural rubber latex, raw meat and fish, semen, many antibiotics, some metals (e.g. platinum, nickel), acrylic monomers, short-chain alcohols, benzoic and other miscellaneous chemicals.

Since the exposure to the contact hives patient is usually similar to other contact stimulus, watchfulness is required to make certain that the patient is properly investigated and diagnosed as contact hives in the setting of hand eczema may be ignored.

The most common characteristics of contact hives are itching, local burning sensation, and tingling. Red swellings or wheals may also occur, especially on the hands. The color of the wheals shows the severity, which can range from slight redness or spots with minimal swelling to fiery redness with tense swelling and wheals. Rash caused by contact hives usually resolves by itself within 24 hours of onset.

The worst thing about contact hives is that symptoms may occur in organs other than the skin due to unknown triggers. They are more likely to occur in patients with immunological contact hives. Symptoms of extracutaneous reactions that can be caused by contact hives include wheezing, runny nose, watery eyes, lip swelling, hoarse throat, difficulty swallowing, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, cramps, and severe anaphylactic shock, which can be life threatening.

 Contact Dermatitis Hives

Contact dermatitis hives is a rare skin allergy condition that occurs when an offending stimulus (certain external substance) comes in contact with the skin. Clear symptoms of allergy usuallyappear within 30 minutes after the exposure. Once the person prone to contact hives comes in contact with this stimulus, which is normally quite harmless for most  people, inflammation occurs.

 


Contact Hive – Cold Hive

Learn about Contact Hives and Cold Hives?

Contact hive and cold hive are two relatively common types of physical hives.

Contact hive, are limited to a small area  and they have swelling and redness.  This happnes after the patient comes in  direct contact with certain offending stimuli. There are plenty of reports of contact hives  being caused by a variety of compounds such as foods, preservatives, fragrances, plant and animal products, and metals.

Cold hive appear in the form of wheals after the skin is exposed to extremely low temperature. The two basic types of cold hives are familial cold hives (sometimes also called inherited cold hives) and acquired cold hives.

Read here for more information about contact hives and cold hives.

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Contact hive and cold hive are two relatively common types of physical hive. If you are suffering from either one of them, this article is your complete guide to what should be your course of action to cope with the situation.

Contact hive is an immediate, but fleeting outbreak on the skin, which is limited to a small area of swelling and redness. This occurs after the patient comes in direct contact with certain offending stimuli. Contact hives caused by a variety of compounds, such as foods, preservatives, fragrances, plant and animal products, and metals, continue to be reported. The contact can be immunologic and non-immunologic. The causes of non-immunologic contact hive include balsam of Peru, benzoic acid, cinnamic alcohol, cinnamic aldehyde, sorbic acid, and dimethylsulfoxide. Causes of immunologic contact hive include natural rubber latex, raw meat and fish, semen, many antibiotics, some metals (e.g. platinum, nickel), acrylic monomers, short-chain alcohols, and benzoic and other miscellaneous chemicals.

The most commonly observed characteristics of contact hive are itch or itchy hives, local burning sensation, and tingling. Red swellings or wheals may also occur, especially on the hands. The color of the wheals shows the severity, which can range from slight redness or spots with minimal swelling to fiery redness with tense swelling and wheals. Rash caused by contact hive usually resolves by itself within 24 hours of onset.

Cold hive appear in the form of wheals after the skin is exposed to extremely low temperature. The two basic types of cold hive are familial cold hives (sometimes also called inherited cold hives) and acquired cold hive.

Certain exposures that can cause cold hive vary greatly, from holding a cold object, dipping body parts in cold water or ice, to exposure including wind and walking or swimming in extremely cold environments. Any individual prone to cold hive must avoid these stimuli as much as possible.

 


Cold Hives

Be careful of Cold Hives?

As it is winter, you need to beware of the problems you can encounter because of snowy and wintry weather. Most people think that cold temperatures only cause flu and minor allergies, but that is because they do not know about cold hives!

If you have large red wheals or swelling on your skin after you go out in the cold, you may have developed cold hives.

There are two basic types of cold hives; familial cold hives (also called inherited cold hives) and acquired cold hives. To read a detailed article about cold hives, read here and make sure you don’t become a victim

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If you experience large, red wheals or swelling on your skin after going out in the cold, you might have cold hives. There are two basic types of cold hives; familial cold hives (also called inherited cold hives) and acquired cold hives.

Exposures that may cause cold hives vary greatly, from holding a cold object, dipping body parts in cold water or ice, to exposure that includes wind, and walking or swimming in extremely cold environments. If you are prone to this problem, it is best to avoid these stimuli.

Cold Allergy Hives

In medical language, cold allergy is called cold allergy hives or simply cold hives. It is quite similar in appearance to some hives food allergies. What actually happens in this type of allergy is that when your skin is exposed to a cold stimulus, it triggers the release of histamine and other chemicals in the skin. This causes allergic symptoms on the skin like itching, swelling, and redness.

As with any other solution for allergies, for cold allergy hives it is equally important to avoid the allergen to prevent an allergic reaction.

Cold Hives Urticaria

Urticaria is the medical name for hives. Cold hives urticaria is a type of allergy where large, red swellings form on the skin after being exposed to a cold stimulus. In most cases, these swellings are itchy, and often, the hands and feet become swollen as well. Their size can vary from the size of a pencil eraser to as big as a fifty-cent piece or even larger.

If your cold hives last for more than six weeks, it is classified as chronic, but this happens in rare cases. However, in some extreme cases, the patches can remain for a lifetime.

 


Autoimmune Hives – Auto Immune Hives

What is Autoimmune Hives or Auto Immune Hives?

For a better understanding of autoimmune hives you need to understand about autoimmune and hives separately.

Auto immune hives is a skin problem found in patients that develop hives due to an autoimmune trigger, i.e. different antibodies.

Hives (name is urticaria) is a skin disorder and appears as white or red, erupted portions in skin and which are usually itchy in nature. The eruptions can be of various sizes and shapes.

An immune system is a defense system, in the living organisms, of biological structures and processes.  It protects against different disease by identifying and killing the path. Sometimes this immune system can freak out and start damaging the body it is supposed to protect. This process is called autoimmune. Read here for more on autoimmune hives.

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For a better understanding of autoimmune hives, I will describe the terms separately in the next section. Here is a simple and basic definition of this bizarre skin problem. Auto immune hives is a skin problem found in patients that develop hives due to an autoimmune trigger, i.e. different antibodies. Mast cells are widespread in the skin and contain certain fluids. When they are disturbed by an autoimmune trigger, they release a fluid called histamine into the skin, which causes hives.

Swelling, redness, and itching caused by autoimmune disorders is called autoimmune hives. These autoimmune disorders are characterized as the malfunction of the immune system, which causes it to attack itself. Such patients develop auto-antibodies directed at the receptor FceRI located on skin mast cells. Its treatment is similar to the allergic hives treatment.

Autoimmune hives can be characterized by many different symptoms, including raised blanched wheals, anaphylactic reaction, pruritis, angioedema, and rapid onset.

Hives and Autoimmune

Here is a simple definition of the two terms: hives and autoimmune.

Hives (urticaria) is a skin disorder and appears as white or red erupted portions of skin that are usually itchy in nature. The eruptions can be of various sizes and shapes.

Immune is a defense system in living organisms of biological structures and processes that protects against different disease by identifying and killing the path. Sometimes this immune system can go awry and start damaging the body it is supposed to protect. This process is called autoimmune. Autoimmunity is the failure of an organism to recognize its own constituent parts as self, which allows an immune response against its own cells and tissues.

Now you understand both the terms, so if you develop hives due to autoimmune disorders, it is called autoimmune hives.

 


Alcohol and Hives

Is there a link between Alcohol and Hives?

Though it might sound outlandish, alcohol and hives are linked. Actually, drinking alcohol, which has ethanol as a major factor, can trigger hives itchy rash in  patients suffering from hives.

These patients should specifically consult a qualified doctor and seek advice on whether they should ingest alcohol or not.

Alcohol can disturb your mast cells which then release a fluid called histamine inside your skin. The release of this fluid causes rash and itchiness. One of the most commonly used treatments is the intake of antihistamine. 

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Alcohol and Hives; many people do not realize that these two are connected. Though it might sound outlandish, alcohol and hives are linked. Actually, drinking alcohol, which contains ethanol, can trigger hives itchy rash in patients suffering from hives. These patients should consult a qualified doctor and seek advice as to whether they should ingest alcohol, and if it will affect their skin problems.

One of the most commonly opted for treatments is the intake of antihistamine. As its name suggests, antihistamine nullifies the effect of histamine, which is released by the mast cells as a result of stress or allergic process. Unfortunately, antihistamine medication does not control the actual underlying causes of histamine release. Therefore, you feel better only when you take antihistamine for the time being, and the condition may reappear.

Hives Alcohol

The anaphylactic reactions to drinking alcohol are not very common. Moreover, most reactions to ingested alcoholic beverages are less important to other chemicals in the beverage, such as papain, metabisulfite, or even yeast. However, in a few cases, there are reports of true allergic reactions in which the stimulating agent was shown to be the ethanol (present in the alcohol), resulting in hives.

Mostly, the indications of anaphylaxis appear in such patients following the ingestion of beer or wine. Many  people have had the problem of hives rashes with ethanol ingestion. However, there are only a few known cases in which hives was triggered due to contact with ethanol.

Hives after Drinking Alcohol

Patients that are already suffering from hives must be careful with their drinking habits because hives can be triggered after drinking alcohol. It is wise to consult a doctor and get his advice regarding how often and how much liquor you can safely ingest.

 


Acute Hives – Cholinergic Hives

How To Stay Safe From Hives – Some Simple Tips?

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.

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All about Acute Hives and Cholinergic Hives?

This blog will tell you about two types of hives; one is a little soft i.e. acute hives and the other can be very brutal i.e. cholinergic hives.

Acute hives is defined as the presence of wheals which usually resolve within a few hours after their outbreak. Cholinergic hives is a skin rash brought on by a hypersensitive reaction to body heat.

For any individual any of these two types of hives can be a great nuisance due to its appearance and itchy nature. You may try certain home remedies or consult a doctor if the situation is out of control.

If you want to learn more about acute hives and cholinergic hives, read here and jump to my groundbreaking comprehensive article.

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Acute hives is defined as the presence of momentary wheals, which mostly resolve within a few hours after appearing. Cholinergic hives is a skin rash brought on by a hypersensitive reaction to body heat. It is actually a subcategory of physical urticaria. Hives rash caused by both acute and cholinergic hives are very itchy and painful.

Cholinergic hives symptoms follow any stimulus to sweat, such as running or exercise, heat from the direct sunlight, and high temperature saunas, as well as spicy foods, which may cause an increase in body temperature, very hot showers, or sometimes extreme stress due to blushing or anger. In some cases, individuals only have symptoms during the winter season where their body temperature rises when it is un-acclimatized to heat.

Acute hives usually occur in response to certain allergies and it is believed that 15-20% of the population suffers from acute urticaria at some point in their lives. A few minutes after the person has been exposed to the allergen, acute urticaria becomes apparent. It may last several weeks in some cases, but mostly it vanishes within a few hours. Normally, the hives is a reaction to food, but in 50% of the cases, the trigger is unknown and is called idiopathic hives. Besides foods, bee or wasp stings, or skin contact with certain fragrances can also be the triggers.

Acute hives mostly affect infants and children. Causes of acute hives in children include Idiopathic (unknown) causes, allergen infections, foods, and drugs. Nearly half of the children with acute urticaria have evidence of functional auto-antibodies.

If a child is suffering from acute hives, the causes should be avoided as much as possible. H1 antihistamines, i.e. classical and second generation can be used. In some cases, H2 antihistamines can also be given. Oral corticosteroids have also been found useful. Epinephrine should be given for anaphylaxis only; however, if the urticaria is hereditary, epinephrine may not be as useful.

 


Dermographism Cure & Dermographism Treatment

About the Pathophysiology of Dermographism?

Before talking about the pathophysiology of dermographism, let me tell you that pathophysiology is the study of biochemical and chemical changes in humans due to disease. One might think if I have to learn about it, what are the doctors for? Essentially, by learning the pathophysiology of any disease, you can improve your ability of recognising and treating it i.e. dermographism treatment.

Dermographism being a subtype of urticaria, its actual mechanism remains uncertain. Certain triggers e.g. allergies, physical triggers or extreme temperature may release an antigen that interrelates with the membrane-s immunoglobulin E of the mast cells. These mast cells then release inflammatory mediators, particularly histamine, and sometimes leukotrienes, heparin, bradykinin, kallikrein, and other similar vasoactive fluids, into the tissues which then accumulate in the skin causing rashes or dermographism.

Learn how you can stay safe from dermographism in my post next week.

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What are the Differences and Similarities Between Dermographism and Angioedema?

If you are confused between the two similar but different diseases; dermographism and hives, this post will clear up the confusion. By understanding the differences between these two, you will be better equipped when choosing dermographism treatment or angioedema treatment.

Let us first get to know the similarities between the two diseases : dermographism and angioedema are both skin problems with similar triggers e.g. extreme temperatures, allergies, pressure, stress, and have they both have similar treatments.

Sometimes, they accompany each other but usually they outbreak seperately.

The major differences between these two are: dermographism is a subtype of hives(urticaria), whereas angioedema is a different disease. Dermographism is itchy, while angioedema is characterized by painless swelling. Angioedema can be deadly but dermographism is only painful. Angioedema is mostly a hereditary problem while dermographism is usually acquired.

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The best Dermographism Cure & Dermographism Treatment?

If you are suffering from dermographism, most of the people would tell you that treating dermographism or any other similar type of urticaria is not possible.

All you can do is take histamines and relieve the pain and itching for the time being. However, there are other dermographism cure & dermographism treatment.

For most of the people it can be an embarassing and disappointing situation but if you read my detailed guide, you can take some simple steps mentioned in my article about dermographism cure & dermographism treatment. Read here to read and try them while sitting at home and without spending extra money!

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If you are suffering from dermographism, this article is indeed a blessing for you as it explains the best dermographism cure & dermographism treatment. Don’t worry, as I will not ask you to buy expensive medical products; instead, you can take all the steps mentioned here easily, while sitting at home and without spending extra money!

Dermographism literally means writing on the skin. It is a common type of urticaria; a skin problem in which the skin becomes raised and inflamed when stroked, scratched, rubbed, and sometimes, even slapped.

The biggest hurdle in dermographism cure is that the underlying causes of dermatographism are not clearly known. It is thought to be caused due to the release of histamines by the mast cells. When histamines are released, the weaker membranes surrounding the mast cells may be damaged and, as a result, cause swelling. It is not a lethal disease and is not contagious or infectious. However, in some extreme cases, it can affect the patient’s life severely.

  • It is important to determine the causes and  triggers of dermatographism and avoid them as much as possible.
  • Some drugs, such as penicillin, insect bites, or infections can also cause dermatographism. Individuals prone to this allergy should stay away from these triggers.
  • The most common drug used in curing dermatographism is antihistamines. They can be used to treat the patient as they prevent outbreaks by countering the histamine effect.
  • H1 or H2 antagonists and cortisone are also useful treatments.
  • Cromoglycate is also used to stop histamine release, but it is not very useful when dealing with chronic urticaria.
  • Chinese herbal medicine and acupuncture treatments are also practiced by some patients.
  • Certain soaps that are biodegradable or hypoallergenic can be used to reduce itching by keeping the affected area clean.
  • You should consult a doctor in case the symptoms persist or if the condition worsens.

 


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