Hives Causes

Chronic hives, or urticaria, are raised bumpy red/white itchy spots, that come and go. When it is a case of ordinary hives, it lasts up to a period of a few weeks or even days. Chronic hives occurs when the time period extends to over six weeks, that go, but come back again. There are different reasons as to how and why these take place, when it comes to the hives causes. Stress is a factor that plays a significant role in causing an outbreak on one's skin. This is due to circumstances like a busy life, where the body is stressed out. Find out more on causes, symptoms and treatment for the same, here.

Normal Hives and Chronic Hives Causes

The reaction that takes place within the body, is when 'mast cells', release histamine, or other chemicals into the bloodstream, making them leak. Sometimes food additives, insects, infections, diseases, medications and other outside elements play a role in bringing about hives. We look into what causes hives, and how they arise due to both chronic hives and a case of ordinary hives. The symptoms are alike when it comes to children.

• Athlete's foot
• High thyroid function
• Strep throat
• Diseases like - pemphigoid, amyloidosis, mastocytosis, rheumatic fever, lupus, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, carcinomas, dermatitis herpetiformis or polycythemia vera
• Wasp stings
• Cat dander (small scaly skin from the animal's body)
• Bee stings
• Viral infections like - H. pylori, malaria, hepatitis B, coxsackie viral infection, intestinal worms, cholecystitis, urinary tract infection or sinusitis
• Medications like - sulfa, codeine, anticonvulsant drugs, aspirin, antibiotics or penicillin.

Foods that Cause an Allergic Reaction

These foods/additives trigger reactions within the body, where the conditions mentioned above are triggered due to food allergens present.

• Kiwi
• Cheese
• Avocado
• Peanuts
• Chocolate
• Onions
• Garlic
• Citric Acid
• Benzoates
• Tomatoes
• Melons
• Yeast
• Chestnuts
• Nuts
• Eggs
• Passion fruit
• Strawberries
• Tartrazine
• sulfites
• Pork
• Spices
• Shellfish
• Bananas
• Milk

Symptoms of Hives

The symptoms can range from not so severe, to severe, where you will need immediate attention to find the underlying cause.

• Itching due to hives on skin.
• Red colored blotches resembling insect bites.
• Angioedema, where the tongue, lips or face swell up.
• Welts that stick around for a period of up to 24 hours
• Throat starts to swell
• light-headedness
• Ring shaped patches
• Extreme case of hives outbreak
• Breathing difficulties
• Recurring hives

Make sure you seek a medical examination and help, if these symptoms persist or get out of hand.

Treatment for Hives

Mendication can be immediately administered, after you go in for a medical check up. Let's take a look at your options.

• Injections like epinephrine, are given for life-threatening cases.
• Antihistamines are prescribed like Tagamet, Benadryl, Atarax and Seldane.
• Doctors will advise on what allergens to avoid that trigger reactions.
• Corticosteroids, are also given in case of severe problems.

The causes of hives can immediately be put to a stop, by ideally getting even the slightest evidence of hives, checked out by a doctor. Treating it in time is important, as one cannot really know what the root of the cause is, and how serious that very it is. Stay safe.