subject: Hives Symptoms and Treatment Methodology [print this page] Hives Symptoms and Treatment Methodology Hives Symptoms and Treatment Methodology
When it comes to hives (also known as urticaria) there are several form out there. Hives can be triggered by many different circumstances and outside influences. Hives is a very common problem for example it can affect 15% of the population of the Unites States each and every year.
It would be funny if we didn't feel so miserable. Hives symptoms are really no fun. Your usually clear skin suddenly and mysteriously erupts overnight into a red, splotchy and itchy mess! Was it the wine you had with dinner, the shellfish, or a new perfume you tried at the store? Or maybe the fight you had with your significant other?
What Causes Hives?
A lot of times, it is really hard to know what causes hives. There are just so many things can cause them! Some of the main hives causes are:
Viral infections
Medications
Allergic reactions
Foods
Chemicals and toxins
Environmental irritants
Stress
Ordinary hives can be caused by foods. Often when a person develops hives from a food, it is because they did not know they were allergic to it. Sometimes people develop a food allergy later in life. It is important that you don't rule out a food allergy just because you have eaten that food in the past. Berries, fish, chocolate, milk and nuts are common food allergies.
Types of Hives
Ordinary Hives appear suddenly. Most of the time the person who gets them has no idea why. These are red, swollen itchy places that can show up almost anywhere on your body. Most of the time they fade quickly within a few hours, but sometimes they can take a few weeks or even longer to completely go away!
Physical Hives are caused by something in your environment that irritates the skin like chemicals, overexposure to the sun, pressure on the skin, scratching, or excessive exposure to extreme temperatures. Physical hives cause over 10% of chronic hives outbreaks. Most often they are caused by extreme temperatures and water. They can also be caused by deodorants, pets, and perfumes.
Acute Hives appear suddenly and usually disappear quickly, and are often the result of being exposed to an allergy producing food or substance.
Chronic Hives can last for weeks at a time, or even years and it is not known exactly what causes them yet. In fact, 50% of all people with chronic hives never figure out what caused their hives. One study found that 75% of people with chronic hives will have them for more than a year! It is thought that chronic hives may be related to immune system disorders, thyroid problems, hormonal imbalances, infections or candida overgrowth.
Natural Hives Treatment
If you have a mild case of hives, there are many home remedies for hives that can gently help to ease the discomfort and to help your body to stop the inflammation and itching.
First and foremost, it is important to find a way to regularly reduce stress in your life, by scheduling time to "decompress" in whatever ways work best for you.
When we are relaxing and having fun, our bodies come into more balance and so the hormonal imbalances related to stress can be relieved, even if for just a little while.
Home Remedies for Hives
In many cases natural hives treatment can be effective in relieving your symptoms. Natural treatment for hives is much less likely to cause side effects which some medicines can cause.
One very effective hives home remedy is taking an oatmeal bath. This can sooth the itching and relieve the inflammation of your hives symptoms. You can grind the oatmeal and add to your bath, or place rolled oats in a nylon stocking and add to your bathwater, letting it steep like a tea bag!
Another helpful home remedy for hives is using ice or cold water to cool the itching and help reduce inflammation. This method is affordable and one of the hives remedies that is least likely to cause skin irritation.
