By definition, chronic hives are hives which last more than six weeks or hives that go away, but recur frequently. What causes chronic hives? Most chronic urticaria hives remain chronic idiopathic hives, which means their cause is never found. However, many of them have been found to be related to other underlying disorders. In fact with chronic hives, autoimmune symptoms can often follow. In hives, chronic cases have been linked to the following disorders:

• Chronic infections such as viral hepatitis, sinus infections, and urinary tract infection
• Bacterial infections which cause stomach ulcers
• Low or high thyroid function
• Diseases of the kidney or liver
• Autoimmune diseases, such as lupus

Hives has also been linked to certain medications. In fact, Dermatology.about.com states that about 10% of hives cases are caused by medications. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and antibiotics are the medications known to most often cause hives.

Some medications, such as codeine, morphine, and aspirin, cause a direct release of histamine which sometimes makes the body break out in hives. Although, medications are not among the most common chronic hives causes, your doctor may go ahead and change some of your medications to eliminate any possible causes of chronic hives.

Chronic Hives Treatment

Treatment for chronic hives varies by the severity of the case. For a lot of people, simply taking antihistamines regularly will keep their hives under control. Oral corticosteroids may also be used to lessen swelling, redness, and itching. Many doctors have also found that the use of tricyclic antidepressants, such as doxepin, is very useful in cutting down histamine levels and relieving itch.

According to the Mayoclinic.com, symptoms can usually be treated with over-the-counter or prescription medication. However, if the first medication you try doesn’t work well to relieve your symptoms, don’t hesitate to talk to your doctor about trying something else. In cases of chronic hives, it is important to work with your doctor to find the medication, or combination of medications, that work best for you.

Chronic hives in children is often treated with the same types of drugs. Avoidance of potential triggers is a good way to manage chronic hives in children, but it is important to remember that their bodies are still growing. When cutting certain foods from their diet, be sure to add something like it back in so that they get plenty of nutrients. Also, you may want to observe a little before trying to eliminate activities that involve exercise and sunlight. Most importantly, remember that hives can be very miserable for children, so good support, empathy, and sympathy is significant. You can learn more about chronic hives and view chronic hives pictures at Chronichives.com, Webmd.com, and many other great sites.

Urticaria (from the Latin urtica)(or hives) is a kind of skin rash notable for pale red, raised, itchy bumps. Hives is frequently caused by allergic reactions; however, there are many non-allergic causes. Most cases of hives lasting less than six weeks (acute urticaria) are the result of an allergic trigger. Chronic urticaria (hives lasting longer than six weeks) is rarely due to an allergy.

The majority of patients with chronic hives have an unknown (idiopathic) cause. Perhaps as many as 30–40% of patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria will, in fact, have an autoimmune cause. Acute viral infection is another common cause of acute urticaria (viral exanthem). Less common causes of hives include friction, pressure, temperature extremes, exercise, and sunlight.

Urticaria on the arm

Appearance of Symptoms

Wheals (raised areas surrounded by a red base) from urticaria can appear anywhere on the surface of the skin. Whether the trigger is allergic or non-allergic, there is a complex release of inflammatory mediators, including histamine from cutaneous mast cells, resulting in fluid leakage from superficial blood vessels. Wheals may be pinpoint in size, or several inches in diameter.

Angioedema is a related condition (also from allergic and non-allergic causes), though fluid leakage is from much deeper blood vessels. Individual hives that are painful, last more than 24 hours, or leave a bruise as they heal are more likely to be a more serious condition called urticarial vasculitis. Hives caused by stroking the skin (often linear in appearance) are due to a benign condition called dermographism.

Hives on the left chest wall.

Article & images source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urticaria

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.

Itching hives is one of the most irritating and frustrating things a person can experience. To make matters worse you cannot scratch them without making things worse. Antihistamines are great for lessening symptoms, but they don’t do much for the irritation. No worries, there is actually a lot you can do about hives itching. Best of all, you can usually get rid of hives and itching with things that all ready in your house.

The wisest way to stop itching with hives is to avoid substances that may trigger an allergic skin reaction. There are many allergens that may trigger hives. Some of the most common are food, medications, and insect bites/stings. Many people keep a journal that lists substances they have come in contact with in order to narrow down possibilities of what may trigger itching and hives.

Another thing that you can do to avoid having anymore hives reactions is to eat properly and strengthen your immune system. Try to not to eat processed food, and remember that additives and preservatives are common allergens. Vitamin supplements are good; in fact, taking/eating vitamin C is one of the best things you can do to help your immune system work properly and prevent hives.

How to Stop Hives from Itching

One natural way to stop hives from itching to add plenty of quercetin to your diet. This is a pigment that is found naturally in foods such as onions, apples, and dark green vegetables. It also has antioxidants and natural antihistamines.

Of course everyone wants to know how stop hives itching, but some would give everything they own for just a few minutes of relief. The internet has tons of remedies on how to relieve itching from hives. Taking cool baths and showers is another natural way stop hives from itching. Many people suggest adding oatmeal, baking soda, or Epsom salt to your bath water to stop hives itching. Finally, applying ice or ice packs directly to skin is another way to stop itching form hives as well.

Relief from Hives Itching

Livestrong.com gives lots of good advice on how to stop hives itching. Aloe Vera is one that the site recommends to use as a topical lotion in order to stop itching from hives. It has been known to stop itching hives immediately and heal the skin. Calamine lotion can also help.  Some astringents such as witch hazel and zinc oxide have also been known to stop itching hives.

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.

Hives on hands are fairly common. They are usually triggered by allergic reactions to physical items, such as fabrics, lotions, or soaps. Insect bites, exposure to heat or cold, or sunlight may also trigger out breaks. One of the most common reasons that hives on the hands form is because of handling and eating certain foods that cause allergies like peanuts, berries, and tomatoes.

Hand hives may last up to a month. Antihistamines are usually administered as treatment. Some home solutions include ice, Aloe Vera, and Primrose or other essential oils. Try to figure out what triggered the outbreak, because in cases of allergic reactions, prevention is the best treatment. Many people keep journals and list the things that they come in contact with in order to narrow out possibilities.

Hives on Palms of Hands

Hives on palms of hands can be very frustrating and it can take a long time to get rid of without doing something on your own.  Some suggested home remedies are soaking in them in epsom salt, making a paste out of oatmeal and cornstarch and a little water, or applying ice cubes or an ice pack directly to the hives. The former will give instant relief and take the swelling down fast.

Hives on Hands and Feet

Hives on the hands, hives on the palms of hands, and hives on hands and feet are sometimes symptoms of angioedema. Angioedema is a serious condition, and should always be watched for if you are prone to hives outbreaks. In angioedema, histamine causes fluid to leak from the local blood vessels. So, it is almost the same as a hives reaction, except it is under the skin. Angioedema can occur with or without hives.

It is important to know about this condition because sometimes swelling will occur in the throat and hinder breathing. People with this condition should be taken to the emergency room or 911 should be called if the person makes abnormal breathing sounds, has difficulty breathing, faints, or begins wheezing.

Treatments listed above for hives on hands should work just as well on feet. Ask your doctor before trying any new treatments or home remedies. Also, talk thoroughly with your doctor about what you think may be triggering hives and about the different treatment options available.

Most of the time, when a person has hives and fever, it is due to either illness or infection. The reason that fever is associated with hives is because many illnesses that can produce fever can trigger hives, and in some cases fever itself can trigger an outbreak. Medications people use to reduce fever, such as aspirin, can trigger hives as well.

If you have fever and hives, be sure not to take anything containing aspirin. Morphine and codeine are also pain medications that will make your hives condition worse. Sometimes Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen will trigger or worsen cases of hives too.

Hives and Fever in Children

If your child has never had hives before, it can be scary. It is not always easy to know what to do. A hives fever can complicate things even more. The important thing to remember when treating hives and fever in children is to treat the fever first, as it is the most vital. You can try to get the fever to break, but make sure it does go higher than 103 degrees F.

As with any sickness, have them drink lots of fluids. Vitamin C will help the immune system overcome both fever with hives. Modernmom.com recommends cutting the fever down with ibuprofen and using antihistamines for the hives. Even though ibuprofen has been known to make hives worse it is much better than aspirin, as taking aspirin with hives can cause a condition called Reye’s syndrome.

Hay Fever and Hives

Hay fever with hives is fairly common. This is because hives is common with people that are prone to allergies. Luckily antihistamines can help both hay fever and hives. Intake lots of vitamin C, and drink lots of water. Aloe vera, primrose essential oil, and chamomile tea is great for treating hives. Many people also use cool water baths or ice cubes to make them feel better.

High Fever and Hives

A fever is considered high if it is over 103 degrees F. There are a lot of conditions that can cause hives with fever; one of the first is hives from fever itself. Cholinergic urticaria is a type of hives in which fever, stress, or even getting angry can trigger hives. Also, fever affects the immune system, and this imbalance can cause a high fever and hives.

Dshisystems.com lists the following conditions that can cause high fever and hives. Please visit the Dshisystems.com website for more information. The conditions are listed as follows:

1 common:

1. Insect bite

3 uncommon:

1. Drug Dermatitis
2. Drug Side Effect
3. Mononucleosis

2 uncommon:

1. Immunization Reaction
2. Tick Borne Illness

5 rare:

1. Henoch-Schonlei Purpura
2. Leukemia
3. Lupus
4. Stevens Johnson Syndrome
5. Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis

Heat and hives are related in more ways than one. Often fever itself will cause a hives outbreak, but that is not all. One of the main conditions dealing with heat and hive is cholinergic urticaria, in which the patient really breaks out in response to sweat. This form of heat hives can be caused by simply getting angry or getting stressed out.

Localized heat hives is the rarest condition that causes hives from heat. It is however, one of the most sensitive and can be tested simply by the application of heat on the skin. These hives generally don’t last more than an hour though.

You may be wondering if it is heat rash or hives that you are affected by. Most likely it is a rash, as a rash by definition is any inflammation of the skin, but it may or may not be a hives-related condition. Looking at pictures on the web may help you decide if it is hives or heat rash, but you should still seek help from a dermatologist to determine if it is really heat rash and hives. You can find heat rash and hives pictures on Emedicine.com and Cholinergicurticaria.net.

Heat Induced Hives

Conventionally, heat hives treatment involves the use of antihistamines. Most antihistamines can be bought over the counter, although stronger types are prescribed.

Hydroxyzine, Claritin, Zyrtec, Clarinex, and Benadryl are the most commonly used.

Most people try to control hives/heat reactions by avoiding situations where they could be exposed to a heat stimulus. Some people use exercise to raise their body’s tolerance to temperature changes. In addition, acupuncture is one of the leading alternative treatments for hives heat rash.

In some cases doctors treat hives heat rash with anabolic steroids or corticosteroids. These are only used in more severe cases. Sometimes anabolic steroids will bring about remission or temporary relief, but not always. Corticosteroids are usually very helpful. Prednisone, in particular, is good for regulating the immune system. This is great because the immune system is said to be one of the main ‘heat hives’ causes.

Beta blockers are sometimes prescribed to inhibit the nervous symptom’s “flight or fight or flight” response (Cholinergicurticaria.net, 2011). This is sometimes effective, but has been known to have harmful side effects. So, if prescribed be sure to talk to your doctor to weigh out potential risks. Other prescribed medications for urticaria have been known to have side effects as well. Make sure you listen to your doctor but be involved and knowledgeable as well.

Heat Urticaria is an extremely rare condition in which hives occur as a result of heat exposure. This condition may also be referred to generalized heat urticaria or cholinergic urticaria. Cholinergic urticaria occurs as the result of a hot bath or shower or from exercise. This form of heat urticaria is brought about by a heat stimulus, but the reaction is actually due to sweat.

There is another type of heat urticaria that is less common. Localized heat urticaria is one of the rarest forms of physical urticarias. It is where well-defined lesions appear on the sites of the heat exposure.

Heat Induced Urticaria

All of these heat induced urticaria conditions are considered physical forms of urticaria. According to allergies.about.com, up to 20 to 30% of chronic urticaria cases have some sort of physical trigger. These heat induced urticaria forms can be triggered by any increase in body temperature.

Cholinergic especially can be caused by anything that causes the body to sweat; even things like spicy foods, stress, or anger is enough to start an outbreak.  Sometimes they are caused by simply the temperature change of going from a cool area to a warm area. Whatever the case may be, preventative measures should be taken in order to avoid exposure to heat stimuli.

Heat Urticaria Treatment

Heat urticaria is usually treated effectively by antihistamines to control the conditions and eliminating such exposures help to prevent hives. Corticosteriods and anabolic steroids are also used. Some patients with this condition are desensitized with hot bath therapy, but this should only be tried under medical supervision. UVB therapy, sweat and exercise therapy, and diet changes may also be used to help in the management of heat urticaria.

Cholinergicurticaria.net offers non-medical options for cholinergic urticaria treatment. They may work for other forms of heat induced urticaria as well, just be sure to consult your physician before trying any new forms of treatment. The treatment options are as follows:

• Avoiding situations that cause hives and/or rapid cooling
• Wearing appropriate clothing by not overdressing
• Meditation, prayer, or mental relaxation may help people cope and relieve stress
• Using cooling sprays, ice packs, and other materials to resolve oncoming attacks
• Avoidance of compounds such as aspirin and alcohol that may make the condition worse

Exercise and sweat therapy that may induce small attack, but in the long run limit severe attacks by making the body adjust histamine levels. It is said to be good for mild cases, but too risky for severe cases.

Having a hives temperature of over 103 degrees F can be very dangerous, especially in children. Treating a hives temperature can be tricky. Your first instinct will be to give your child a pain reliever, if you do make sure that it does not contain aspirin because this can cause Reye’s syndrome.

Reye’s syndrome is a deadly disease that strikes fast and without warning. It can occur in children, teens, or adults. According to reyessyndrome.org it can affects all of the organs, but it affects the brain and the liver in particular. The site continues stating “Research has established a link between Reye’s Syndrome and the use of aspirin and other salicylate containing medications, over the counter products, and topical use products.”

A hives temperature or fever is a sign of illness or infection. If your child is prone to hives outbreaks a little prevention can go a long way. Teach your child how to avoid suspected allergens and avoid fevers by helping your child learn to wash their hands often.

Hives Temperature Changes

Extreme temperatures of either hot or cold can bring outbreaks of hives in some people. Cholinergic urticaria is a condition brought about by a hypersensitive reaction to body heat. The symptoms of this hives temperature condition follow any stimulus that causes sweat. These include:

• Exercise
• Heat from the sun
• Saunas
• Hot Showers
• Spicy foods (which increase body temperature)
• Stress
• Blushing
• Anger

Sometimes people only have symptoms during the winter month. This is because their body temperature rises when suddenly exposed to heat. According to Wikipedia.org, “exercising to break a sweat before the onset of cold weather, and through the winter months may reduce the symptoms greatly.”

Cold urticaria may also occur. This means that the body reacts to cold temperatures.  Symptoms occur soon after the skin is exposed to a sudden drop in air temperature or cold water. Some exposures can be very dangerous. For example, in this type of urticaria swimming in cold water can cause a severe reaction that leads to fainting, shock, or even death (Mayoclinic.com, 2011).

Out of heat urticaria is more prevalent than cold urticaria. In most cases the causes of these reactions is idiopathic (unknown). In some cases it is caused by an underlying condition or disease. Antihistamines are usually prescribed for hives, but are not as affective in the type of hives that occur because of temperature change. Hives-treatment.com offers some solutions to hives temperature situations. If you have reactions to:

• Sweat: get warm quickly by drying the skin
• Cold weather: avoid walks in the cold
• Chlorinated or cold water: try taking an anti-allergic medicine before entering the pool