| Urticaria which is also known as hives is a skin | | | | physiologic in origin, psychological management can |
| rash that is often described as red, itchy and | | | | also lessen the severity and the frequency of the |
| raised. It may be as small as a papule or a big | | | | attack. In addition, certain psychological means can |
| wheal several millimeters in size. It is most | | | | also be done to shift focus away from the itch |
| commonly caused by allergic reactions, but there | | | | and discomfort during an attack |
| are certain cases that are due to non allergic | | | | 3. Tricyclic anti-depressant - doxepin is also often |
| causes. | | | | potent H1 and H2 antagonist and may play a role |
| There are two major type; the first type is that | | | | in the therapy of patients with urticaria/hives. |
| one that last for less than 6 weeks and more | | | | 4. Steroids - can be given to patients with |
| often attributed to allergic causes. Most common | | | | recurrent and refractory attacks of urticaria. This |
| example of triggering factor is food. The second | | | | should be administered by doctors and must be |
| and the more severe type is the chronic type. | | | | prescribed. |
| This type of urticaria can last more than 6 weeks | | | | 5. Diet - one who is suffering from urticaria should |
| and can be refractory to most common | | | | shy away from food that have a lot of |
| treatment. This is less likely to be caused by an | | | | preservatives like canned goods and certain food |
| allergic reaction. | | | | that is known to cause allergies. This allergenic |
| Management | | | | food includes eggs, chicken, nuts, crustaceans and |
| It can be very difficult to manage, particularly | | | | even chocolates. |
| chronic form. There is no guaranteed treatment | | | | 6. Homeopathic Remedies - make sure that you |
| or ways of controlling attacks. There are even an | | | | choose all natural ingredients that are guaranteed |
| enormous number of patients with chronic form | | | | to be safe. Research on the ingredients first and |
| who are treatment resistant. Some common | | | | find out its benefits as well as its side effects. |
| medications are suddenly losing their effectiveness | | | | 7. Practical remedies at home - application of cold |
| and the patients become immune to the | | | | compress and calamine lotion significantly relieve |
| medication itself. | | | | the itch. It also helps in resolution of the swelling. |
| The most assured treatment is to avoid its | | | | One should limit exposure to too much heat and |
| triggering factors but this can only be exercised | | | | cold since extremes of temperature is also |
| when the person knows exactly what it is, and | | | | known to cause urticaria. One should avoid |
| this is not usually the case. Symptoms are often | | | | frequent skin contact on the affected area |
| idiopathic or unknown. | | | | because too much direct stimulation will worsen |
| The following are the most common treatment | | | | the itch and the inflammation. |
| of hives: | | | | 8. Avoid stress and live a healthy life both |
| | | | physically and emotionally. |
| 1. Histamine antagonist - drug therapy is usually in | | | | Urticaria does not need to be an all-consuming |
| the form of anti-histamines such as hydroxizine. | | | | problem. There are a variety of ways to prevent |
| Citirizine and for acute attacks, diphenhydramine. | | | | and treat it. |
| 2. Stress Management - while the disease is | | | | |