Home Treatment For Hives

Hives, also called urticaria, are an allergic reaction. unfortunately, the reaction can be almost anything, including cold, heat, and even emotional tension. unless you already have a good idea what is causing the hives or you have just taken a new drug, the doctor is unlikely to be able to determined the cause. most often, searching for a cause is fruitless. here is a list of some reason that are frequently mentioned as causes;

1. Drugs
2. Eggs
3. Milk
4. Wheat
5. Pork
6. Shellfish
7. Freshwater Fish
8. Cheese
9. Berries
10. Nuts
11. Pollens
12. Insect Bites

The only sure way to know whether one of these is the culprit is to expose the patient to it. the problem with this approach is that if an allergy does exist, the allergic reaction may include not only hives but also general reaction causing difficulty with breathing or circulation. as indicated by the decision chart, a systematic reaction is a potentially should be consulted immediately, avoid exposure to a suspected cause to see if the attacks cease. such a test is difficult to interpret because attacks of hives are often separated by long periods of time. actually, most of the people suffer only one attack, lasting from a period of minutes to weeks. finally, an occasional single hive on the arm or trunk is so common that it's considered normal and no significance.

Home Treatment:
Determined whether there has been any pattern to the appearance of the hives. do they appear after meals? after exposure to cold? during a particular season of the year? if there seem to be likely causes, eliminate them and see what happens. if the reactions seem to be related to foods, an alternative is available. lamb and rice virtually never cause allergic reactions. the person with hives may be placed on a diet consisting only of lamb and rice until completely free of hives. foods are then added back to the diet one at a time, and the person is observed fro a recurrence of hives. this is referred to as an elimination diet. itching may be relieved by applying cold compresses, taking acetaminophen, or trying antihistamines such as diphenhydramine or chlorpheniramine.

Hives
Are both of the following conditions present?
1. raised, flat lesions surrounded by redness
2. itching
* if yes, use home treatment
* if no, consider problem other than hives.

Is there shortness of breath, wheezing, or dizziness?
* if yes, see a doctor
* if no, use home treatment

Did hives appear following use of medication?
* if yes, see a doctor
* if no, use home treatment

Is itching severe, prolonged, or accompanied by fever?
* if yes, see a doctor
* if no, use home treatment