Hives

Hives are pink or red bumps or slightly raised patches of skin. Angioedema, a similar swelling, causes large welts deeper in your skin, especially near your eyes and lips. This causes severe swelling, usually in the face, near the eyes and mouth. A more serious condition hereditary angioedema (HAE) is an uncommon, inherited disorder, which can cause sudden, severe and rapid swelling of your face, arms, legs, hands, feet, genitalia, digestive tract and airway. Hives is the most common rash for which people seek emergency medical care. One of every 5 people will have hives at some time in their lives. Angioedema is less common. Hives and angioedema can happen at any age. When a person is exposed to something that can trigger hives, certain cells in the body release histamine (say: his -tuh-meen) and other substances. This causes fluid to leak from the small blood vessels under the skin. When this fluid collects under the skin, it forms the blotches, which we call hives.

Hives also known as urticaria are raised, red, itchy welts (wheals) of various sizes that appear and disappear on your skin. range in size from a few millimeters to several inches in diameter. Wheals (welts), red lesions with a red “flare” at the borders, are one manifestation of hives. Hives vary in size (from a pencil eraser to a dinner plate), and may join together to form larger areas known as plaques. Hives are very common with 10-20 percent of the population having at least one episode in their lifetime. These areas mat develop a swelling that is frightening in appearance, but usually goes away in less than 24 hours. Some people get repeated attacks that occur as an allergic reaction to a variety of things (foods, most commonly nuts, chocolate, fish, tomatoes, eggs, fresh berries and milk, insect stings, and medications). Usually, the patients figure out the cause by themselves, and they never bother coming to a doctor. Occasionally, severe, prolonged tissue swelling can be disfiguring. Rarely, angioedema of the throat, tongue or lungs can block the airways, causing difficulty breathing. This may become life threatening.

Causes of Hives

The common causes and risk factor's of Hives include the following :

Nervousness or stress.
Extreme cold or sun exposure.
Animal dander (especially cats).
Direct contact with an allergenic substance, or an immune response to food or some other allergen.
A number of other regulatory systems in the body in response to different types of triggers.
Infections caused by viruses.

Symptoms of Hives

Some Symptoms of Hives :

Very itchy rash.
Itching.
Variable shapes.
Chest tightness; and breathing difficulties.
The eyes may appear swollen shut.
Hives usually appear first on the covered areas of the skin such as the trunk and upper parts of the arms and legs.

Treatment of Hives

Apply calamine lotion.
Occasionally for severe hives, doctors may prescribe an oral corticosteroid drug - such as prednisone - which can help lessen swelling, redness and itching.
Hives are usually treated with an antihistamine, such as Benadryl or the prescription Atarax.
For more severe cases, an injection or short course of a corticosteroid may be needed to rapidly reduce swelling and itching.
If your reaction is severe, especially if the swelling involves your throat, you may require an emergency shot of epinephrine (adrenaline) or steroids.

Nails Care

Anychia
Clawing of the Nails
Clubbing
Discoloration of the Nail Plate
Ingrowing Toe Nail
Koilonychia
Longitudinal Striations
Loss of Nail Plate
Onycholysis
Paronychia
Pitting of Nail Plates
Pterygium
Thickening of Nail Plate
Transverse Ridges

Disclaimer : All information on www.removeacne.org is for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, please consult your doctor.