Urticaria/ Hives
Urticaria/Hives are red, itchy rash that looks similar to mosquito bites. The condition is considered Chronic Urticaria/Hives if the welts appear for more than 6 weeks. Chronic hives can be very uncomfortable and interfere with sleep and daily activities.
Symptoms include:
-
Welts that vary in size, change shape, and appear and fade
-
Itching, which may be severe
-
Painful swelling (angioedema) of the lips, extremities, eyelids and inside the throat
Chronic hives don't put you at any sudden risk of a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis). But if you do experience hives as part of a serious allergic reaction, seek emergency care. Signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis include dizziness, trouble breathing, and swelling of your lips, eyelids and tongue.
Diagnosis:
Skin tests are rarely helpful in diagnosing urticaria. Usually blood tests to determine potential cause of urticaria will be performed.
Treatment:
Initial treatment usually involves taking antihistamines. Other medications such as montelukast, biologic medications, oral corticosteroids and occasionally immune-suppressing drugs can be used to treat severe disease.
Lifestyle and home remedies:
Chronic hives can go on for months and years. The following precautions may help prevent or soothe the recurring skin reactions of chronic hives:
-
Wear loose, light clothing.
-
Avoid scratching or using harsh soaps and avoid known triggers.
-
Soothe the affected area with a bath, fan, cool cloth, lotion or anti-itch cream.
-
Keep a diary of when and where hives occur, what you were doing, what you were eating, and so on. This may help you and your doctor identify triggers.
-
Apply sunscreen before going outside.
