In a significant number of cases, medical professionals have shown the development of hives and viruses to be linked. Acute hives are thought to frequently be indicative of viral infection, predominantly in children, and to a certain extent in adults. In children, the infections in question are typically benign viral infections of the digestive system and of the upper respiratory system.

It is no accident that, in certain seasons, the incidence of both hives and viruses in the population rises: this is the case with viral infections like influenza, rhinoviruses and adenoviruses. Not surprisingly, the incidence of hives falls with the successful treatment of such viral infections. Flu vaccinations, which essentially contain weakened forms of the flu virus, have been known to trigger hives. Viruses are, thus, clearly an important part of the hives story.

Some of the other viruses that cause hives include Hepatitis A and B, various enteroviruses, parvovirus B19 and norovirus. Making sense of the immunological mechanisms that viral infections set into motion would greatly advance our present understanding of urticaria and its manifestations.

Cold urticaria is one form of acute urticaria. Most instances of cold urticaria are characterized as idiopathic but a connection has been established between 5% of the instances of this form of hives and viruses. The viral infections that have been associated with cold urticaria include measles, hepatitis, HIV, mononucleosis and varicella. As for chronic urticaria, its incidence has been tied to gastrointestinal infections as well as dental and ENT (ear, nose and throat) infections.

The Combined Impact of Hives and Viruses

Some of the viral infections that trigger hives are benign. Thus the body’s immune system is able to overcome them. The hives are a manifestation of the immune system’s efforts to combat the infection. In such cases, the most prominent symptom of the infection might be a mild fever, which passes quickly enough. The infection can be so mild that the individual experiencing it does not bother consulting a medical professional for it. However, he or she might seek medical assistance for the hives. Once the hives are over, the individual can go back to life as usual.

Some of the viruses that trigger hives are life-threatening, though. These demand sustained medical attention, especially since they can wreak havoc on the immune system. One such viral infection is HIV. In the cases characterized by this kind of infection, the hives and viruses together can exact a heavy toll on the individual’s body.

Hives information is relatively easy to get hold of on the internet. In addition, one can readily find other sources of urticaria information offline. Thus, there is no shortage of resources for sufferers of hives who want to learn more about their condition.

When searching for information on hives, it is important to determine the credibility of the different sources at one’s disposal. The most credible sources tend to be those authored or at least reviewed by medical professionals. Thus, medical textbooks are ideal, as are peer-reviewed medical journals. On the internet, sites authored or reviewed by medical professionals are also of good quality.

A good number of hives resources approach urticaria from the standpoint of alternative medicine. It would be problematic to dismiss these simply because they were based on a different medical philosophy from conventional Western medicine. One would be better off trying to determine their credibility by seeing how they were rated by hives patients and by practitioners of alternative medicine. Information about hives is not the preserve of Western science. Keeping an open mind and considering what other medical traditions had to offer would likely expose one to a wealth of hives information.

Understanding Hives: Information Is Power

There is no guarantee that all urticaria information encountered in credible sources online and offline will lead to a cure. This is because hives is a complex condition whose progression can vary considerably from person to person.

The triggers of hives can be drastically different in two people. Hives’ triggers can include food items like milk, shellfish, berries, and chocolate, as well as food additives and preservatives. They can also include medications like non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, opiates and ACE inhibitors and physical stimuli like water, sweat, heat, exercise, sunlight, pressure and cold.

The durations of hives episodes also vary considerably from person to person. For instance, hives can be a short-lived condition that is quickly resolved without the need for medical intervention. Alternatively, it can be a chronic condition that persists for years with little relief.

All of the above possibilities make it clear just how complex a condition hives is, even when one has access to volumes of medical information. Hives sufferers are advised to learn as much as they can about the condition as doing so empowers them to be more involved in their own treatment. They feel less intimidated in interactions with their doctors and are able to make medical decisions from informed positions.

Hives can affect all sub-sections of the population: the elderly, men, women and children (including infants). Thus, hives in women are not cause for surprise.

Hives In Women and the Rest of the Population- Possible Genetic and Environmental Factors

It is worthwhile thinking about the degree to which age-specific or gender-specific factors might contribute to the development of hives in a particular sub-section of the population. One way of going about this would be to look at the form of hives that was prevalent. For example, more women than men are stricken by chronic urticaria. This might point to the involvement of hormones in the progression of a good number of cases of chronic urticaria.

Alternatively, it might suggest that women are more frequently exposed than men to environmental factors that trigger chronic hives. Whatever the case, chronic hives in women and men alike are often idiopathic. Thus, it would be difficult, if at all possible, to prove the gender-specificity of the triggers of chronic hives.

Another way to figure out what age-specific or gender specific factors contributed to the development of hives would be to focus on the prevalence of certain hives triggers within each subsection of the population. For instance, among infants, viral infections would likely be found to contribute to a large number of cases of acute hives. Does this suggest that infants are exposed to a larger number of viruses than other age-groups? This is not likely. It might, however, suggest that infants’ immune systems are not as finely-tuned as those of adults.

It must also be recognized that, through breast milk, breastfeeding infants are exposed to some of the same factors as their mothers. These factors may cause the infants to develop hives. In women, specifically their mothers, these factors might cause no symptoms, but the babies are likely to have much more sensitive bodily systems.

It is also important to consider the contribution of nutrition to the distribution of hives among different population groups. Some cultures may have different dietary practices for different age groups and genders. Infants tend to be fed simple, easy-to-digest plant-based foods through the weaning process. As they grow older, harder-to-digest foods may become a part of their diet. Some cultures have dietary restrictions and taboos that result in the avoidance of foods that frequently act as allergens. For instance, in cultures that don’t allow women to eat eggs, allergic hives in women will be less likely than allergic hives in men to be triggered by eggs.

Hives in infants consist of reddish welts of different shapes and sizes. As in other age groups, urticaria in infants often lasts a few hours or days at a time- this form of the condition is called acute urticaria. By contrast, chronic urticaria lasts for periods of time longer than six weeks.

It is not unusual for first time parents to be alarmed when they are first introduced to hives in infants. Pictures of the condition reveal swollen areas on the skin, sometimes on the entire body. On an infant’s small, vulnerable body, these might look especially tender or painful. However, infants often experience hives as nothing more than a minor discomfort. If these hives are not accompanied by angioedema or other health complications, then all the parent has to worry about is helping the baby find relief from the itchiness.

Hives (Urticaria) in Infants: Some Triggers

The triggers or causes of hives in infants vary. They include viral infections like the common cold and influenza. Hives in infants also develop in response to the ingestion of particular foods, including milk. This is particularly important because infants’ primary food tends to be milk. The milk in question could be one of various formulas developed for feeding infants. If infants develop an allergy to, say, the soya protein in the formulated milk, then radical changes have to be made to their diets.

Contact allergens have also been known to trigger urticaria in infants, as have medications like antibiotics. In yet other cases, infants develop physical urticaria in response to environmental stimuli like temperature: a baby may develop hives when it feels extremely cold.

Some Remedies for Hives (Urticaria) in Infants

There are various approaches to relieving the discomfort caused by hives in infants. One may use cold compresses on the affected area or bathe the infant in lukewarm water with baking soda added to it. Other home remedies for hives include calamine lotion, aloe vera pulp and milk of magnesia. Each of these provides relief when applied directly to the affected skin. Likewise, sandalwood oil is soothing when applied to the skin. In addition to these home remedies, one should make a point of dressing infants in clothing that fits loosely in the affected areas. This will help minimize the discomfort felt by the hives-stricken infants. It could also help prevent the development of more hives: in some cases, hives is triggered by pressure and sweating, both of which are likely when babies’ clothing fits too snugly.

Like older children, newborns are susceptible to allergies. Hives in newborns are not unheard of. Nor are other skin conditions that are readily recognized as allergic responses. Newborns can also experience the digestive problems and cold-like symptoms that are characteristic of some forms of allergy.

The factors that cause hives and other allergic responses in newborns vary. They can include pet dander, certain types of fabric, certain foods and other substances or situations. Hives in newborns can be a response to a contact allergen. The allergen in question could be something like soap or some other skin care product used on the baby’s skin, the detergent used to wash the baby’s clothes, any medication that the baby happens to be on or an insect bite.

If the allergen is one of the chemical components of a skin care product, then it is important to stop using that product and to substitute it with a mild or hypoallergenic product. If the baby’s caregiver knows what the chemical that triggers the allergic response is, making sure that it is not a constituent ingredient of the mild or hypoallergenic product is the responsible thing to do.

The Presentation of Hives in Newborns

The presentation of hives in newborns under the above circumstances typically begins with the sudden appearance of the hives. If the allergen has been removed, the hives remain visible for a period of time lasting from a quarter of an hour to a few hours and then they ultimately disappear. If the child is not exposed to the allergen again, then the hives are not likely to recur. However, if the newborn continues to encounter the allergen, then the hives will appear again and again.

How to Respond to Hives in Newborns

Caregivers can take a few steps to deal with hives in newborns when they do occur. First of all, when the characteristic rash and inflammation first become apparent, if the baby seems comfortable, then there may be no need for alarm. However, if the newborn has symptoms like vomiting or experiences difficulty breathing, he or she should be taken to the emergency room at once. In either case, the caregiver should make an effort to determine what might have caused the hives. This will likely involve making a list of the substances the newborn was exposed to before they developed and then consulting an allergist. It is important to discuss the hives with the newborn’s doctor as the baby might be reacting to medication or to something in the mother’s milk.

It would be difficult to come up with a single set of criteria to describe people with hives. This is because hives strikes people of all age groups, genders, nationalities and income levels. Furthermore, hives can be triggered by a wide range of factors: While one person might develop hives in association with a hepatitis infection, another might develop hives in response to the application of pressure on the skin.

Much of the time, medical professionals speak of treating hives and not of curing it. It is also more common for them to speak of hives’ triggers than to speak of its causes. There seems to be an underlying recognition that there is more to the pathology of hives than medical science has been able to uncover. In fact, a large proportion of hives cases are labeled idiopathic because medical professionals are humble enough to admit that they cannot always identify the triggers of hives.

The Frustrations of People with Hives

Sometimes this state of affairs frustrates people with hives. This is especially the case when they have to endure chronic hives for months or years at a time. Hives ordinarily cause mild discomfort, but when they last for months and months, they can wear down even the most patient of people. Furthermore, people with hives of this type can develop complications either because of or despite the treatments they are undergoing. These complications vary considerably. They can lead to pain and incapacitation and might even compromise the immune system.

Worrying about these kinds of complications places a burden on the shoulders of people with hives. Constant worry leads to stress, which can actually exacerbate their hives: The form of hives known as cholinergic hives has been associated with severe stress.

Hives’ complications are not the only cause for worry in patients. Some patients worry because they have no idea what factors might have triggered their hives. Furthermore, they do not know if they will ever find permanent relief from the condition. Often, their best bet is to turn to those who have had similar experiences and to learn from them. Various discussion boards and forums afford them this opportunity.

Belonging to communities of people who have endured similar challenges gives a boost to the morale of many hives patients. They take comfort in the knowledge that they are not alone in their suffering. Additionally, they can learn about alternative approaches to treating hives that just might work for them.

There is a definite association between hives and various autoimmune conditions. Thus, it makes sense to refer to these conditions as autoimmune and hives-associated conditions.

Autoimmune and hives-associated conditions include diseases like Grave’s disease, Hashimoto’s disease, lupus and multiple sclerosis. These are all diseases that have been noted to occur simultaneously with hives in certain patients. In the case of the first two, there is scientific evidence to suggest that chronic hives are significantly associated with autoimmune thyroid disease. This evidence is derived from a study in which patients with chronic hives were found to be more likely to test positive for thyroid autoantibodies than were members of the healthy, hives-free control group.

Thyroid antibodies are those antibodies produced by one’s immune system to attack the body during a spell of autoimmune thyroid disease. Thus, the results of the above study showed that patients who experienced chronic hives were also likely to have an autoimmune thyroid disease like Grave’s disease or Hashimoto’s disease. From this, one could speculate that thyroid disease played a role in triggering hives.

Hives and autoimmune diseases alike can be cause for uncertainty in the field of medical science. Chronic hives are often considered idiopathic, as are autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis. Additionally, the exact mechanisms behind different forms of hives and various autoimmune diseases remain mysterious. Thus, the exact relationship between chronic hives and autoimmunity can be understood in different ways.

About Autoimmune Hives

As far as autoimmunity is concerned, one could speculate that there are two forms of urticaria: hives that are themselves autoimmune, and hives that manifest as symptoms of another autoimmune disorder. The former constitute a primary autoimmune disorder and have consequently been christened “autoimmune hives”. Autoimmune hives are thought to result from an overactive immune system. The ASST (autologous serum skin test) is used in their diagnosis. To carry it out, a sample of the patient’s blood is taken. Using a centrifuge, the serum is separated from the rest of the blood’s components. If the subsequent injection of the serum back into the patient’s arm triggers hives, then it is safe to say that the patient has tested positive for an autoimmune disease: hives of the autoimmune variety.

Determining who is likely to develop autoimmune hives (or any autoimmune disease for that matter) is sometimes possible. One high risk group includes people with a family history of diseases that are considered autoimmune, and hives can certainly be placed into that category, alongside rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune conditions. People who have had some physical trauma within the previous six months are also at high risk. A traumatic event like an accident, infection or surgery can also push the immune system over the edge, rendering it overactive.

Hives present distinctly, with raised reddish bumps known as wheals on the skin. Getting help with hives often entails managing these wheals. However, since hives are triggered by a variety of factors, treatment can also involve taking steps to prevent the triggering mechanisms.

The factors that have been implicated in triggering hives include various physical stimuli, severe stress, viral and bacterial infections and allergens. The allergens could include food items like chocolate, eggs and shellfish and non-nutritional factors like pet dander and bee stings. Hives patients who avoid the triggers to which they are sensitive are well on the way to reducing the frequency with which they succumb to hives.

Sometimes consciously avoiding the triggers of hives is not enough. This is because people can be exposed to hives triggers without their knowledge. A man might inadvertently eat food to which he was allergic because the friend hosting him forgot to disclose its ingredients in full. Similarly, a woman allergic to cats might be exposed to pet dander when she walks into a room that a cat inhabited until recently.

For both of these individuals, educating the individuals around them about their allergies is important. However, this does not always work. Hence, it is important for them to have the appropriate medication on hand in case all else fails and they need help with hives. Many people have actually saved their lives by doing this: hives patients who typically develop severe allergic responses to peanuts and bee stings, for instance, make a point of carrying their epinephrine injections with them wherever they go. If they start to go into anaphylactic shock when exposed to allergens, the immediate injection of this epinephrine can save their lives.

Help With Hives’ Symptoms

As is indicated above, the treatment of hives largely involves the management of symptoms. Various kinds of medication are taken to help with hives in this way. They include antihistamines, some of which cause considerable drowsiness. Corticosteroids also help with hives, but only in the short term. Their long-term use results in the development of negative side effects. Additionally, patients’ resistance to infection may be compromised. A further complication associated with the long-term use of corticosteroids is that, once the treatment ends, it takes the body a long time to adjust to functioning without it.

The use of topical treatment for hives is also typical. The creams used can be obtained over the counter. They tend to work by numbing the nerve endings, thus providing significant relief from the itching.

According to medical science, there is a range of diseases that cause hives. These include diseases resulting from viral, bacterial, fungal and parasitic infections. They also include a variety of autoimmune diseases. Hives is a complex condition that is likely triggered by a variety of mechanisms. This might explain why such vastly different factors as the diseases mentioned above, allergens and physical stimuli can all provoke the development of hives in different individuals.

Viral diseases are among the prevalent hives diseases in infants. Influenza and other viral infections have been known to trigger acute hives. In many cases, the hives manifest when the viral infections have almost run their course. Thus, the child presenting with the alarming symptoms of reddish wheals on the skin could easily be over the worst of the viral infection. Babies’ immune systems are still at the developmental stage; hence, it isn’t a surprise that they show some vulnerability to hives. However, as time goes by and the babies’ immune systems strengthen, one can expect the prevalence of this form of hives to decrease.

Among adults, viral infections have been linked to both acute hives and chronic hives. These viral infections are often located in the digestive system, the upper respiratory system, the ENT region and the dental region. They include rhinoviruses, the flu and adenoviruses. When hives patients with these viral infections have been treated successfully for the infections, their hives have disappeared. This could lead some to classify the conditions resulting from these infections as diseases that cause hives.

Bacterial Diseases That Cause Hives

Similar findings apply in the case of various bacterial infections. When patients with hives have also been shown to have bacterial infections, specifically helicobacter pylori, the successful treatment of their infections has coincided with the complete cure of their hives. One could, therefore, understand the temptation to classify the bacterial diseases in question as diseases that cause hives.

Autoimmune Diseases That Cause Hives

Some autoimmune diseases have been linked to hives in various studies. They include lupus and autoimmune thyroid disorders like Hashimoto’s disease and Grave’s disease.

After patients with chronic hives were shown to also test positive for thyroid autoantibodies, they were treated for autoimmune thyroid disorder. It was noteworthy that the successful treatment of the disorder was accompanied by the resolution of their hives. In these studies, the statistical significance of the association between chronic hives and autoimmune thyroid disease was established. This suggests that research on the mechanisms by which hives develop might ultimately identify autoimmune diseases as diseases that cause hives.

It is common for children to suffer from a hives-like rash at some point in their life. There are many types of rashes with specific visual indicators of what they can be. First, you may be wondering, “What does hives rash look like?” Hives rashes differ from other types of rashes primarily in appearance. Rather than bumps that resemble pimples or big bites, hives-like rash symptoms are the development of raised welts or wheels that vary in size and can be either flesh colored or different shades of red.

Mono and Hives-like Rash

Mononucleosis, also known as “mono”, is a viral infection that can cause hives on the back and other parts of the body. Spread through contaminated saliva, mono causes the lymph node glands of the throat to swell, inflames the tonsils, and causes fatigue and general feeling of un-wellness. In most cases a rash resembling that of measles develops, particularly if amoxicillin has been administered. In rare cases a hives-like rash may appear. The best treatment for mono is plenty of rest, fluids, and acetaminophen or ibuprofen for pain and fever. However, if your child has mono and suffers from hives, ibuprofen and other pain relievers such as aspirin can, in certain cases, make hives worse. In the event that the hives become worse, keep the skin cool and apply topical ointments for the itching. Once the medicine has passed through their system the hives will begin to subside.

Hives-like Rash in Children

When your child suddenly develops a rash it is easy to become anxious and make an appointment with your doctor. According to DrSEARS (http://www.askdrsears.com/topics/childhood-illnesses/hives), illness is the leading cause of hives in children, a common culprit being the flu virus. If your child suffers from fever and hives but no other symptoms then it is likely that the hives are being caused by the illness. Regardless of the exact cause you should focus on providing relief if there is itching. Administering a dose of Benadryl is helpful to counter and stop the histamine reaction and reduce the presence of hive welts. It can also help with itching though it is known to produce drowsiness. If the hives persist then it is safe to give your child Benadryl every six hours as needed. If the hives-like rash diminishes to only a handful of spots you can stop the use of Benadryl. In the event of hives-like rash, fever, and other symptoms or if your child becomes progressively sicker it is recommended to check in with your doctor and review the symptoms and duration of the hives and illness.