Hives Urticaria – What You Need to Know
Whether you have had a history of hives or have had the symptoms for a while, if you are experiencing hives urticaria then you may want to know what to do to help you get through this. You should also learn the symptoms, the diagnosis, and the treatment and prevention.
Acute vs. chronic urticaria
urticaria, also known as hives, is a skin disorder that produces itchy, raised swellings. Urticaria may affect any part of the body, but it is most common in the face, hands, and feet. Urticaria can last anywhere from a few hours to several weeks, and sometimes even months. Urticaria may be caused by an infection, allergies, or medications. Urticaria can be triggered by foods, medications, and even emotional stress.
Urticaria can have a significant impact on a patient’s life. It can interfere with their sleep, cause social isolation, and cause them to feel uncomfortable. If left untreated, urticaria can become chronic and may require the assistance of a physician.
Urticaria is caused by a release of histamine from mast cells. In addition to histamine, chemical mediators also cause the skin to swell, causing capillary leakage. These chemical mediators include cytokines, platelet-activating factors, and arachidonic acid.
Urticaria may be triggered by certain drugs, such as aspirin, antibiotics, and NSAIDs. If a patient has a history of urticaria, skin prick tests may be performed to determine if the patient is allergic to an allergen.
Symptoms usually clear within 48 hours after a patient avoids the allergen. Patients should be made aware of the different types of urticaria and how to avoid them. Urticaria is a very vexing disease, and patients should be patient and cooperative with their physicians.
Acute Urticaria is typically triggered by foods, medications, or infections. The condition can also be triggered by a medical condition such as cancer. Urticaria may also be associated with seasonal changes.
Chronic Urticaria is more common in women than men and is associated with a variety of different external exposures. It may be due to a medication allergy, food allergy, or a Hymenoptera sting. Chronic Urticaria can last for more than six weeks and can interfere with a patient’s daily life. It may also cause social isolation and anxiety.
Treatment of urticaria is often based on symptomatic relief with second-generation H1 antihistamines. In severe cases, non-sedating antihistamines are also effective. Some patients with chronic urticaria may benefit from psychotherapy.
Diagnosis
Depending on the type of urticaria you have, you may need to visit a doctor for a proper diagnosis. Your medical provider will ask questions about the symptoms you’re experiencing and the location of the hives. They will also ask you about your diet and other factors that may be triggering the hives.
A blood test will help determine your immune system and whether or not you have a virus or other infection. A stool test will also reveal any infections you may have. You may be given an anti-inflammatory drug that will help ease the redness and itching.
A skin scraping will also be taken from the affected area to examine the skin cells. This may reveal signs of yeast infection or mites. It may also reveal signs of a food allergy.
Your provider may also ask you to keep a diary to document your symptoms. This will help them to better understand how your disease is affecting your life. It may include your food intake, medications, and activities. You may also be asked to note stress, depression, and any other factors that may be influencing the disease.
In addition to diagnosing your urticaria, your provider will also give you tips on how to treat the disease. Your provider may recommend a special diet for 3 weeks. This may include removing additives from your diet. You may also be prescribed topical Benadryl once a day to relieve your symptoms.
Your doctor may also perform an allergy test. This will help your provider determine whether your hives are caused by an allergen. If you have a suspected allergy, your doctor may inject small amounts of a suspected allergen under your skin. These allergens are known to trigger urticaria.
Your provider may also use a simple test to detect autoantibodies. These antibodies are produced by your body and are directed against its own tissue. These autoantibodies may cause chronic hives. If you are diagnosed with autoantibodies, your provider may recommend a drug to help your body fight the antibodies.
If you have urticaria and are taking antihistamines, you may have angioneurotic edema, which is a swelling of the skin. This swelling can block your airways. This is a serious and life-threatening disease.
Treatment
Whether you’re suffering from a sudden rash or a persistent rash, hives and urticaria treatment can keep you feeling better. Your doctor will be able to prescribe medication to reduce the itching and itchiness and also clear up your skin.
Urticaria can be caused by a variety of factors, including exposure to a certain allergen, food intolerance, or an underlying health condition. If you’re experiencing a severe reaction, you need immediate medical care. Your doctor can test your urine and blood to rule out other health problems. If hives are a symptom of an underlying illness, your doctor may recommend additional treatment to treat the underlying illness.
If you think you have an allergy, your doctor will ask you to keep a food diary to determine what foods may trigger your hives. The allergist will also ask you about your medications and any substances you ingest at home.
If you think you’re allergic to a certain food, your doctor may prescribe an antihistamine. These medications are usually given in very small doses. If you take antihistamines regularly, they will keep your skin from itching as much.
If you’ve recently had an allergy attack, your doctor may also recommend an immune-suppressant medication to calm your overactive immune system. You may also be referred to a dermatologist to find out the cause of your hives.
If your hives are chronic, your doctor will likely recommend a visit to an allergist/immunologist. An allergist can identify the cause of your hives, and prescribe medication to treat it.
Some types of hives can be extremely painful and even life-threatening. You may experience abdominal pain, difficulty breathing, or fainting. If you experience any of these symptoms, call 911 immediately. Your doctor will also evaluate you for any underlying conditions and prescribe medications to treat them.
Hives can also affect your quality of life. In addition to itching, you may experience swelling in your throat, lips, mouth, and airways. You may have difficulty breathing and need to wear warm clothing. Your doctor may also prescribe antihistamines to reduce itching and swelling.
Prevention
Whether you have recently developed a hives problem or you are trying to prevent it from happening, it is important to know the symptoms and treatments for hives. Hives are a common skin condition that can appear in many different places, from the lips to the windpipe.
It can be painful but is not usually dangerous. A mild case can be treated with non-prescription oral antihistamines. Taking an epinephrine auto-injector can also help relieve symptoms.
If you have been experiencing hives for a while, it is important to see an allergist. Your allergist will ask you a series of questions to determine the cause of your condition. Your doctor may recommend skin tests, blood tests, and urine tests to diagnose your condition.
Your allergist will ask you about your family history of hives, if you have taken any medications recently, and whether you have been exposed to animals. They will also ask you about any allergies, parasites, or infections.
You will also need to keep a food diary. This can help your allergist determine which foods might be causing your hives. Also, avoid foods with latex. This can be found in many common items.
In severe cases, hives can affect the throat, tongue, eyelids, and lips. They can also make it hard to breathe.
You can help prevent hives by taking frequent baths. Loose clothing can also help prevent scratching. Using an ice cube can also prevent hives from itching. You should also wear warm clothing when you are outdoors. If you are not sure whether you have hives, you can ask your doctor to take a photo of your hives.
Your doctor may prescribe a non-prescription antihistamine to relieve the symptoms of hives. Antihistamines help control the swelling that causes hives. They also block the effects of histamine, which causes the symptoms of an allergic reaction. Taking antihistamines may also help prevent hives from coming back.
Your allergist can also help you with a hives prevention plan. They may recommend you avoid certain foods or medications. They can also recommend you wear loose clothing and avoid cold air.
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Harvard Health. (2015, November 17). Health A to Z. https://www.health.harvard.edu/health-a-to-z
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