Urticaria Treatment Tips You Need to Know

Posted: Nov 23, 2010 |Comments: 0 |

Urticaria is the clinical term for hives, which are defined as red, itchy, raised areas of skin that appear in various shapes and sizes. Hives can appear anywhere on the body and for various lengths of time. While the causes of hives can vary dramatically, in most clinical cases a specific cause is never found. Therefore, urticaria treatment usually consists of relieving symptoms while the underlying condition goes away on its own.

Hives are produced by the production of histamine, a compound released from skin cells that causes blood vessels to leak fluid into surrounding tissues. Histamine release often occurs in reaction to various allergic agents such as food, medication, and insect stings.

However, hives can also be triggered by direct physical stimulation including temperature extremes, physical exercise, water and sun. One of the unique trademarks of hives is their tendency to move around the body and to change size and shape rapidly. Individual hives last anywhere from 2 to 24 hours, while outbreaks can change quickly. Thus, taking photographs of outbreaks at their peak can aid doctors in urticaria treatment.  


Treatment of hives can include the following. Keeping a food and/or symptom diary for an established length of time (usually two weeks) can sometimes identify specific triggers of an outbreak. Prolonged use of a diary is not helpful; however, if a trigger is identified, simple avoidance of the food, medication, or physical activity or other agent is the most effective form of management. Most cases of hives are not so easily resolved, however. Referral to a dermatologist or allergist may be warranted in prolonged cases.

By far the most common and effective form of treatment for hives is to administer an antihistamine orally, which helps combat the effects of histamine leaked by skin cells. In acute cases, steroids may also be administered, although steroid use should be avoided over the long term. The most common side effect of antihistamines is drowsiness. Long term users of antihistamines may develop a tolerance to it while still experiencing drowsiness. However, several types of antihistamines are available including non-drowsy formulas, which may be most effective for long term users.

While hives can be a cause of great frustration, they are not life-threatening except in very rare instances. Hives can have multiple triggers, from allergic reactions to food, medication, and insect stings to physical reactions to temperature, physical exercise and water. Treatment of hives can include identifying and avoiding triggers or taking antihistamines. As with any skin disorder, consulting a health care professional regularly is essential for urticaria treatment and management.

Questions and Answers

Ask
200 Characters left
Rate this Article
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 0 vote(s)
    Feedback
    Print
    Re-Publish
    Source:  http://www.articlesbase.com/diseases-and-conditions-articles/urticaria-treatment-tips-you-need-to-know-3718617.html

    Article Tags:

    urticaria treatment

    ,

    urticaria

    ,

    hives treatment

    ,

    treatment for urticaria

    In most cases you need not rush to the emergency room to seek treatment of hives, as over-the-counter antihistamines often will do the trick. Plus, you need not worry about hives leaving lasting scars on your skin. Yet, it pays to know about the causes, complications and cure for hives so that you know what to do in case you have them, when to visit your doctor and what steps to adopt in their prevention.

    By: Dave Tishendorfl Health> Diseases and Conditionsl Oct 26, 2009

    Hives, otherwise known as urticaria, is commonly described as a kind of skin rash which usually looks pale red, raised, itchy bumps. These protrusions often are results of allergic reactions but there can be some cases when hives can be caused by non allergic triggers.

    By: Steve Ginkl Health> Allergiesl May 18, 2011

    Hives are red and sometimes itchy bumps on your skin. An allergic reaction to a drug or food usually causes them. Allergic reactions cause your body to release chemicals that can make your skin swell up in hives. People who have other allergies are more likely to get hives than other people. Other causes include infections and stress.

    By: Corwin Brownl Beauty> Skin Carel Apr 15, 2008 lViews: 8,183

    Have you got the hives, fret not! There is remedy even from the comfort of your home.

    By: Chrisl Health> Alternative Medicinel Oct 05, 2010

    There are a number of home remedies and natural treatments for urticaria that are found quite useful in treating the problem. Read this article to find simple and effective home remedies and natural treatments for hives.

    By: Ryan Muttl Health> Alternative Medicinel Feb 18, 2010 lViews: 315

    In layman's language Urticaria is called hives; so do not think they are two different medical conditions. It has red-pinkish itchy welts or swelling that appear on the skin; the can appear and disappear daily with new ones sprouting in different new places as the old ones disappear anywhere on the body.

    By: Raj Kumarl Healthl Jan 23, 2010
    John Cielo

    A fast way to get gout relief is with baking soda which I've found it to be very effective. But now that I have gotten my uric acid levels under control I don't need to use this home remedy anymore.

    By: John Cielol Health> Diseases and Conditionsl Jun 04, 2012
    John Cielo

    Gout was once the 'disease of kings' due to their diet, but not any more. Anybody can have gout nowadays. Easy access to relatively cheap, mass-produced food and alcohol has meant that we are all at the mercy of gout through our diet.

    By: John Cielol Health> Diseases and Conditionsl Jun 03, 2012

    We need to keep our omega 6 foods at a minimum and include more omega 3 into our diets. Adding food items such as walnuts, chia seeds, to our salads is a simple and natural way to get our omega.

    By: Sandy Sachsl Health> Diseases and Conditionsl May 29, 2012
    Hunter Elliott

    Ever notice that dry cracked skin around your mouth? It is known as angular cheilitis and getting rid of it is easier than you think.

    By: Hunter Elliottl Health> Diseases and Conditionsl May 29, 2012

    MS has been described as the most common illness causing disability in people younger than the age of 45 years. Most people, especially women, have their first symptoms and are diagnosed before the age of 30 years. However, one in every five MS patients will have onset of the illness and will be diagnosed after the age of 45 years.

    By: Anjul Health> Diseases and Conditionsl May 29, 2012

    Perhaps of little comfort to those living in poverty at the time, gout was once known as a rich man's disease. Indeed it was extremely rare that it would ever affect your average pauper and instead it would be those with a substantial stomach who could afford to eat and drink well that would mostly develop the condition.

    By: Sandy Rutherfordel Health> Diseases and Conditionsl Jan 11, 2012

    Like hair lice, scabies has the impressive ability to make almost everyone who reads about it need a little bit of a scratch. In fact, it will be equally impressive if after reaching the end of this article, you've not had a scratch yourself. So, good luck with that one.

    By: Sandy Rutherfordel Health> Diseases and Conditionsl Jan 11, 2012

    Angina is a condition that makes life a misery for millions of men and women around the world. Many people ignore it and live in agony despite the fact that a simple trip to a doctor could alleviate much of the discomfort and make life much more enjoyable.

    By: Sandy Rutherfordel Health> Diseases and Conditionsl Jan 11, 2012

    Thrush is one of those conditions that results in uncomfortable giggles and very apparent embarrassment for both sufferers and non-sufferers alike. But the fact of the matter is that particularly in the case of vaginal thrush, it is very common and quite easily treatable.

    By: Sandy Rutherfordel Health> Women's Healthl Jan 10, 2012

    There's a good chance that upon reading this article you'll have a vague flashback to a distressing time as a small child when you were afflicted by croup. During a couple of days in bed, you'll have spent your time beset by a horrible cough, wheezy breathing and an overall poor feeling.

    By: Sandy Rutherfordel Health> Diseases and Conditionsl Jan 10, 2012

    Discuss this Article

    Author Box
    Articles Categories
    All Categories
    Quantcast