What Are Hives?

Hives or Urticaria may occur to anyone at any point of life. It is a form of allergic reaction which is characterized by flat topped wheals and welts which resemble mosquito bites. They are accompanied by a lot of itching on these bumps.

Although hives are harmless form of rashes but the itching is unbearable. Hives occur as batches and may affect face, arms, trunk, throat and legs.

Hives are of two types. If the rash is treatable within 6 weeks then these are called acute utricaria and if they take more than 6 weeks to heal then these are called chronic utricaria. In chronic utricaria, the allergen responsible for the reaction is difficult to identify.

There are certain medications that may trigger hives. These include codeine, penicillin, sulfa and aspirin. Codeine is found in cough remedies whereas penicillin and sulfa are regular antibiotics. Anticonvulsants like Phenobarbital may also cause hives. Food items such as chocolate, berries, nuts, shellfish, tomato and soy can also cause this allergic reaction.

Rashes may occur by wearing tight clothes which may lead to skin irritation (dermatographism). Onset of hepatitis B, some type of plants, food additives, and onset of hepatitis B, emotional stress, heat sweating, cat dander, wasp and bee bites are yet other reasons of hives.

Hives are different from normal skin rashes. Characteristic signs and symptoms of hives include angioderma. It is a term given to describe swelling of tongue, face and lips. The welts last minimum for 24 hours. The rashes are reddish in color and they change in shape and size frequently. Hives occur suddenly and may change their location of occurrence frequently.

The best treatment for hives includes antihistamines, corticosteroids, and injections of epinephrine and avoiding of known allergens. Oral medication of antihistamines in given in general cases and vaccination of corticosteroids are given in severe cases.  Epinephrine injections are only given in case to life-threatening cases.