Medically termed as urticaria, hives are some sort of red and itchy raised skin areas that may appear in various sizes and shapes. These itches or skin eruptions vary in size ranging from a few centimetres to inches in diameter. Hives are sometimes round in shape and can also form rings or big patches. They also appear as wheals or welts and red lesions with a flare at borders. Urticaria can occur on any part of the body like the arms, trunk and legs.
- Mechanism Behind Urticaria Rash
Understanding Urticaria:
Urticaria or hives is one type of harmless rash on the skin that is often caused by some kind of allergy. Some of the important facts about hives are given below
- Urticaria is caused by histamine as well as other compounds that are released from mast cells. Histamine causes liquid to leak from local blood vessels which results in swelling of the skin.
- Hives have a tendency to move around and change size fast. It disappears at one place and reappears at another place, in just hours.
- Single hives last for two hours to almost 24 hours. An outbreak of a hive often looks alarming. If you happen to notice in the morning, it could be gone by noon, but only to come back in full force in the later part of the day. There is no other skin disease that can occur and resolve so rapidly as hives.
- Based on the history of symptoms, a doctor can easily establish a diagnosis of urticaria even if you do not have any evidence to show.
- When the swelling goes deeper in the skin, it is called angioedema. This is also visible on both hands and feet and the mucous membranes.
- Hives are common phenomena. Though irritating, hives often resolve on their own over some time. They rarely cause any medical emergencies.
- Hives are caused by allergy. It is caused by getting in direct contact with some allergenic substance like a plant or some immune response to food. Hives could also be caused by stress.
- Usually, hives strikes with sudden force. Initially there is itching in the skin, and thereafter it results into skin eruptions like red coloured welts. This skin itching could become severe, preventing people from sleeping or working.
One must understand that in treating hives, it is important to know the facts of urticaria. It would help immensely to keep your cool at all times, because stress could make matters worse. Try drinking some passionflower or peppermint tea which is beneficial. It would definitely help soothe your nerves. If you discover that the swelling is very severe, especially in the area of the throat, then you could be in an emergency and may need steroids.
