Understanding Urticaria: Type, Cause and Treatment of Hives

Hives is alternatively known as urticaria. This is one of the most common skin diseases in all over the world. This skin disease affects more than 20% of the total population in the world. Usually urticaria appears as red rashes and it is itchy. However, this comes out quickly and goes as well. If it appears in one part of the body, it vanishes soon after within some hours. Then it re-emerges on another point of the body on skin. Hives rash can stay from some weeks to some months in different cases.

Types of hives

There are several types of urticaria and few of them are – 

• Photosensitive urticaria: At the primary stage, the sufferer may not recognize this hives, but allergic reaction due to sun exposure can prove this. 
• Allergic urticaria: The main cause of this type of urticaria develops due to medications reaction, insect, cosmetics and foods problem. Other most common factors include cold temperatures, skin rubbing or irritation and extreme hot temperature. 
• Pressure hives: This type of skin problem occurs due to the pressure from straps, belts and other hard elastic materials.
• Cholinergic hives: This syndrome occur due to the extreme stress, sweating and very hot shower. 
• Dermatographism: This develops when a person's skin is little scratched or rubbed. About 5% of the individual experiences this form of urticaria.

However, some other type of hives may take place during the pregnancy, particularly all through the last trimester.

Causes of hives

Getting this skin problem in not limited to particular reason and condition. Some people get this for eating allergic food items. Consuming histamine chemical (this chemical increase inflammation and itch on the skin) can be a reason for getting urticaria. Certain foods like chocolates, milk, fish, eggs, nuts, tomatoes, berries and shellfish may result this skin problem to some people.

Some medications adversely affect on human skin and results this syndrome to many people. Some example of such medicines are codeine, narcotic painkillers, Antibiotics (such as sulfonamides and penicillins), iodide, vancomycin, anesthetics (such as lidocaine), acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), antiepileptic medications (as example carbamazepine and phenytoin), and anti-inflammatory medications (as example ibuprofen and naproxen). However, some chemicals, cosmetic products, insect stings or bites, exposure to very hot or cold temperatures may cause this skin disease to some people.

Not all of these factors create problem to all people. It depends on an individual’s skin type and his immunity system as well. 

Treatment of hives

Apparently, this skin disease is not serious skin condition as it remains for short time, but in some cases, it may take long time to disappear. In this situation, it is recommended to take necessary initiatives to reduce this skin problem as early as possible. Antihistamine is the most common medicinal treatment to get rid of urticaria. However, it is not over-the-counter medicine. Thus, you should consult a doctor before taking this type of medicine. Green tea, Aloe Vera and Chamomile are some common home remedies for treatment of hives.

To avoid getting this skin problem you have to keep in mind few things in your daily life. Do not shower with very hot water and remain careful about wearing very tight clothes. It is better to drink plenty of fresh water and avoid allergic foods.