If you have skin-colored or red bumps that appear and disappear on your skin quickly, it’s unlikely that you have been bitten by an insect, this condition is known as Hives medically called Urticaria. This condition can range from severe to mild.
Treatment Methods For Urticaria (Hives)
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This skin allergy has to have an underlying cause. They appear when your body reacts to certain allergens. How can this be treated? This article carries some effective Treatment methods for urticaria (Hives).
What is Urticaria (Hives)?
Hives is an outbreak of swollen, pale red bumps or wheels on the skin that appear and disappear quickly, this is because the body is an allergy to certain allergens or could be some other unknown cause. These bumps can be itchy and in some cases can also sting. The worst thing about hives is the fact that they can appear on any part o the body. The severity and size of these bumps can also vary, some people can get bumps that are coin-sized while for some they can become as big as a plate. They can fade within a few hours or in some cases can last one day before fading.
Most people confuse Angioedema with hives. Angioedema is a similar skin allergy that occurs beneath the surface of the skin. This can some times be dangerous as swelling can block the windpipe, genitals, etc. though swelling due to Angioedema too does away within a day, this may sometimes need medical care.
Here are the Diagnosing Methods to Identify Hives:
Once you talk to a doctor, he/ she would ask you various questions or maybe do a blood or allergy test. You may also be asked to keep a diary to track your activities, medications that you take, what you eat and drink, how long a swelling takes to disappear, etc.
Treatment Options
Most of the doctors are likely to prescribe over-the-counter antihistamines. If this kind of doesn’t help, then he/ she might give you a combination of drugs that will work the best for you. In most cases of hives, effective treatments can be successfully found.
- Most commonly prescribes Antihistamines are: Desloratadine (Clarinex), Cetirizine (Zyrtec), Fexofenadine (Allegra) and Loratadine (Claritin)
These Antihistamines are non-drowsy, if these don’t help you then your doctor might increase the dose or include hydroxyzine pamoate (Vistaril) and doxepin (Zonalon). If you are breastfeeding or pregnant do talk to your doctor before buying and using any of the above-given medication.
Some of the other drugs that your doctor might prescribe are:
- Antidepressants: The tricyclic antidepressant doxepin (Zonalon), can help relieve itching. But this drug can cause dizziness and drowsiness.
- Asthma drugs along with antihistamines: Medication that hinders the leukotriene modifiers action can help relieve from hives.
- Anti-inflammation medications: These medications can help with the swelling, redness, and itching. These kinds of tablets cannot completely cure the condition but can provide instant relief.
- Man-made (monoclonal) antibodies: These are a strong medication that is used to treat incurable hives. This injectable medicine is usually given once a month.
Apart from over the counter treatments, there are also some very effective home remedies that might work for you.
Home Remedies
If your condition is chronic this can go on for months or even years. They can interfere with your daily activities such as work, sleep, etc. Here are some home remedies that you can follow to get relief from the condition.
- Soothe the affected area with a bath, fan, cool cloth, lotion or anti-itch cream.
- Wear loose, light clothing.
- Avoid scratching or using harsh soaps.
- Keep a diary: and note down the location of the swelling, what you eat and drink in a day.
- Apply sunscreen
I hope you found the above article, ”Treatment methods for urticaria (hives)” useful. share with me your thought and concerns vis our comments section. if you have had hived and some method worked for you do let us know.
