Hives - Symptoms, Risk factors and Treatment

Hives, also known as urticaria is a condition in which red, itchy, raised bumps appear over your skin that occurs due to allergen- a substance that causes the allergy, sting and hurt. It is also known as welts, nettle rash, or weals. During an allergy reaction, the allergen enters the body, which the body considers as a foreign particle and your cells produce a protein called histamine. Eventually, histamine triggers an allergic reaction and causes the capillaries to leak fluid. The leaked fluid accumulates in the skin eventually causing rashes. 

Hives occur in approximately 20% of people sometime during their lifetime. It is not contagious- means it does not spread from person to person. Urticaria can occur due to any kind of allergen and it varies from person to person. For some, it can be a peanut, while for some it can be clothing they are wearing. Sometimes the wheals may appear and go away on their own, whereas mostly they may need treatment. If left untreated, urticaria can become life-threatening. 

Symptoms 

The sign and symptoms of hives are;

Red swollen skin with itch and discomfort. The shape may be round or oval but it is elevated as a bump. They can appear anywhere on the body, mostly on the face, arms, chest and fingers, hands, legs, and toes. The size may range from few millimeters to several inches. 

Risk factors 

Hives are triggered by certain triggers, also known as allergens- substances that cause allergy. It can be substances like;

• Taking medications with whom your body is allergic. It can be anyone like antibiotics including vancomycin, cefepime, amoxicillin, or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) including aspirin or ACE inhibitors- drugs used to treat high blood pressure

• Eating foods like nuts, shellfish, food additives, eggs, strawberries, and wheat products

• Having concurrent infections like influenza, the common cold, glandular fever, and hepatitis B

• Having bacterial infections like urinary tract infections and strep throat

• Having intestinal parasites

• Exposure to extreme temperatures or changes in temperature

• Raised body temperature

• Exposure to pet dander from dogs, cats, horses, and others

• Getting exposed to dust mites

• Living in a place where there are plenty of cockroaches and cockroach waste

• Exposure to latex, pollen, some plants, including nettles, poison ivy, and poison oak

• Exposure to insect bites and stings

• Exposure to some chemicals

• Having a chronic illness, such as thyroid disease or lupus

• Getting exposed to sunlight

• Water residing on the skin

• Scratching your skin for a long time

Treatment 

The general treatment for urticaria is giving antihistamines- drugs that block the action of histamine- a substance that causes allergy. During an allergy reaction, the allergen enters the body, which the body considers as a foreign particle and your cells produce a protein called histamine. Eventually, histamine triggers an allergic reaction and causes the capillaries to leak fluid. The leaked fluid accumulates in the skin eventually causing rashes. 

Other tips to prevent hives are;

Know the triggers that exacerbate your allergy and hives. To get an insight into it, maintain a diary. Write everything you eat in it and what kind of fabric you are wearing and everywhere you are going. It will help in knowing about the trigger. 

• Wear loose clothing through which air can pass.

• Avoid your exposure to pollen-rich areas and outdoors when pollens are there. 

• Avoid the medications with whom you are allergic and sensitive. 

Conclusion 

Hives occur in approximately 20% of people sometime during their lifetime. It is not contagious- means it does not spread from person to person. Urticaria can occur due to any kind of allergen and it varies from person to person. During an allergy reaction, the allergen enters the body, which the body considers as a foreign particle and your cells produce a protein called histamine. Eventually, histamine triggers an allergic reaction and causes the capillaries to leak fluid. The leaked fluid accumulates in the skin eventually causing rashes. If left untreated, urticaria can become life-threatening.