Hives - Info on Hives Symptom, Causes & Treatment

Hives are temporary swellings of the skin, caused by a localized collection of fluid in the dermis due to leakage from the blood vessels.

Hives is an allergic skin reaction that comes on suddenly. One hallmark of hives is their tendency to change size rapidly and to move around, disappearing in one place and reappearing in other places, often in a matter of hours. The hives themselves are slightly raised, smooth, flat-topped bumps called wheals (look like mosquito bites) and welts that are usually more red in color than the surrounding skin and cause severe itching. Hives result from dilation of capillaries allowing fluid to leak out into the surrounding tissue, the epidermis . They resolve when the body absorbs this fluid. The border of a hive is described as polycyclic, or made up of many circles, and changes as fluid leaks out and then is absorbed. Pressing on a hive causes the skin to blanch distinguishing it from a bruise or papule.

Urticaria can result from any of the following: (a) allergy to foods, pollens or drugs; (b) change in the temperature; (c) infections, including the presence of worms and (d) emotional upsets. Sometimes the cause cannot be accurately determined. A few individuals get hives repeatedly, but in most people urticaria usually gets better over a period of time.

If the cause can be made out, it is easy to cure urticaria. If the cause is not obvious, then a very effective way to get relief is to use anti-allergic drugs (antihistamines) for some weeks till the problem subsides.

What are the causes of Hives ?

Following are the causes of Hives:

• There are many causes of hives. At least half the time, the specific cause cannot be determined.
  
• Some of the more common triggers are the following:
  
  • Infections such as viral illnesses, especially in children
  • Allergies to food, medications, cosmetics, soaps, and detergents
  • Insect stings and bites
  • Transfusions of blood or blood products
  • Emotional and physical stress
  • Physical agents such as sunlight, heat, cold, water, or pressure
    
• Risk factors for hives and angioedema include the following:
  
  • A previous case of hives or angioedema
  • A previous allergic reaction
  • Family members who have hives or angioedema

What are the symptoms of Hives ?

Symptoms of Hives includes:

• Hives usually appear first on the covered areas of the skin such as the trunk and upper parts of the arms and legs.
  
• Wheals appear in batches. Each wheal may last from a few minutes to 6 hours. As wheals disappear, new ones form. A case of hives usually lasts at most a few days.
  
• Hives are usually patchy at first, but the patches may run together until the hives cover most of the body.
  
• The patches can be small or large. They are usually irregular in shape. Often, the patches have clearing of the redness in the center with a red halo or flare at the edges.
  
• The itching is often very intense.

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