What Causes Hives And How To Treat It
Hives (also known as urticaria) is basically a rash that is characterized by itchy red welts that can appear on any part of the body. The rash usually occurs as part of an allergic reaction, but it can be triggered by other factors too. There are several different types of urticaria – apart from the allergic type already mentioned, there is also autoimmune urticaria, viral urticaria, and what is known as “chronic idiopathic urticaria”. Chronic idiopathic urticaria is, as the name suggests, chronic and apparently causeless, but it is thought to be related to high levels of stress. This type of urticaria tends to occur only during a stressful and traumatic period in a person’s life, when both emotional health and physical health are well below the ideal. Apart from these factors, urticaria can also be caused by completely harmless triggers such as exposure to sunlight, exposure to low temperatures, and certain drugs and chemicals.
The reason why it is important to understand the causes of urticaria or hives is that treatment depends on this understanding. If you are not sure why your skin is breaking out into a rash, the only safe remedy is a cold compress, which will reduce both the swelling and the itching with minimal risk. Minimal because there still is some amount of risk – as mentioned, hives can develop in response to exposure of the skin to very low temperatures. However, this is not very common, and such a cause is usually easily identified. If you do have this kind of urticaria, then you should of course completely avoid using a cold compress.
If you have identified the cause of your hives, you have a few other treatment options, provided they do not use one of your triggers. One of the most effective soothing treatments is an oatmeal and milk pack. Take some cold milk, soak a couple of table spoons of oatmeal in it, and then gently press a wad of the milk soaked oatmeal onto the affected skin. Applying aloe vera gel will also soothe your skin. You can also try using over the counter antihistamines, as these will reduce the severity of the allergic response.
Some kind of stress management therapy also usually helps, especially if your problem is stress related. Meditation, yoga, or counseling will help you manage your stress and thus reduce the frequency and severity of attacks, and they will also make it easier to handle an attack of hives when it occurs.
Causes Of Hives And Treatments
The reason why it is important to understand the causes of urticaria or hives is that treatment depends on this understanding. If you are not sure why your skin is breaking out into a rash, the only safe remedy is a cold compress, which will reduce both the swelling and the itching with minimal risk. Minimal because there still is some amount of risk – as mentioned, hives can develop in response to exposure of the skin to very low temperatures. However, this is not very common, and such a cause is usually easily identified. If you do have this kind of urticaria, then you should of course completely avoid using a cold compress.
If you have identified the cause of your hives, you have a few other treatment options, provided they do not use one of your triggers. One of the most effective soothing treatments is an oatmeal and milk pack. Take some cold milk, soak a couple of table spoons of oatmeal in it, and then gently press a wad of the milk soaked oatmeal onto the affected skin. Applying aloe vera gel will also soothe your skin. You can also try using over the counter antihistamines, as these will reduce the severity of the allergic response.
Some kind of stress management therapy also usually helps, especially if your problem is stress related. Meditation, yoga, or counseling will help you manage your stress and thus reduce the frequency and severity of attacks, and they will also make it easier to handle an attack of hives when it occurs.