How to Treat Hives Breakout

Urticaria, also known as hives, is a skin disorder which is characterized by red and itchy welts on the skin. When our skin comes in contact with allergens, histamines are released from the cutaneous mast cells into the blood stream in order to fight against the allergenic substance. As a result of the release of histamines, leakage of the fluid from the local blood vessels takes place and gives rise to these red, raised itchy skin bumps. The diameter of these skin rashes could range from a few millimeters to several inches. These could appear on any part of the body. Generally these raised areas of skin have a red margin and a pale center. The size, shape and location of these raised portions of skin generally changes rapidly. Old welts might fade as the new ones appear in just a few hours. In this article, we will look into the causes and treatment of this condition. Here's some information on how to treat hives breakout.

What Causes Hives?

Hives is most commonly caused due to allergies. The formation of these red welts on the skin is generally attributed to allergic reactions to certain foods, drugs, insect bites and other environmental allergens. Certain foods such as eggs, soy, milk products, nuts, shellfish, berries, tomatoes, food additives and wheat could act as a trigger. Sometimes it could be caused by certain drugs. It has been seen that certain antibiotics, vaccines, sulfa, anticonvulsant drugs, phenobarbital and aspirin might trigger an allergic skin reaction in some people. Pet dander, pollen, chemicals, poison ivy and some insect bites could also give rise to this condition. It could also be caused due to bacterial, viral and fungal infections. Viral infections are one of the most common causes of hives in children. Athlete's foot, ringworm, chickenpox, jock itch, strep throat and urinary tract infection are some of the infections that can lead to an outbreak. Exposure to harsh weather conditions, fluctuations in the body temperature and stress could also trigger an allergic reaction.

Treatment Options

If you notice dark red, raised itchy areas on your skin that seem to be appearing, disappearing and reappearing on different parts of your body, you must consult a dermatologist soon. Since these allergic rashes are mainly caused due to the release of histamines, the treatment generally involves the use of antihistamines. Though certain antihistamines such as diphenhydramine and chlorpheniramine are available without prescription, it is recommended that you use the medicines prescribed by the dermatologist. Doctors generally prescribe medicines such as claritin, zyrtec and allegra as they don't induce drowsiness. In case, these antihistamines are unable to alleviate the symptoms, doctors may prescribe steroids such as prednisone and medrol. In severe cases, epinephrine might be used for treating this condition. Those suffering from an anaphylactic shock require immediate medical attention.

If your child is suffering from hives, you can use menthol cream, hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion for allergy relief. Make sure that your child doesn't scratch the affected skin. Hot showers must be completely avoided. Over-the-counter antihistamines such as benadryl can be given to the child. You can also wrap some ice cubes in a clean towel and apply it gently on the welts. Another natural remedy that you can follow is to soak your body in a tub filled with solution made from water and oatmeal. It might ease the discomfort to some extent. Since green tea is a natural antihistamine, drinking green tea might also prove beneficial. Acupressure can also be used for alleviating the symptoms. Since consumption of certain foods can cause this reaction, make sure that you avoid such foods completely. Make sure that your surroundings are free from environmental allergens. You must avoid wearing tight-fitting clothes that might worsen the skin condition. Some people might experience an outbreak as a result of high stress levels, it would be a good idea to reduce the stress levels with the help of relaxation techniques.

Now that you have a basic idea on the causes, symptoms and treatment of hives, make sure that you take all preventive measures to avoid an outbreak. Those who often such allergic reactions must consult a dermatologist soon.