Cure For Hives

Cure For Hives

If you suffer from itchy, unsightly red welts on your skin, you need an effective cure for hives. Since there are many triggers for hives, and each case is unique, treating hives effectively involves coming up with a personalized strategy that will work for you. Finding the best cure for hives will mean comparing different strategies of treating hives and selecting the safest, most reliable one.

What causes hives?
Hives are caused when the body's immune system reacts to an allergen, substance or environmental factor that triggers a release of histamine, a chemical involved in the body's immune response. Histamine causes the skin's cells to leak fluid from the capillaries into the epidermis, resulting in inflammation and itchiness.

Why is treating hives so important?
Finding an effective cure for hives is important for several reasons:

Although the hives themselves are not contagious, the triggers may be (such as viruses, bacteria, or parasites).
Successfully treating hives will give you relief from the intense and bothersome itching and burning.
A cure for hives will liberate you from the embarrassment or self-consciousness of red, puffy welts.
Sometimes hives are a symptom of an underlying disease that needs immediate attention, such as a thyroid disorder, lupus, lymphoma, Hepatitis B, or malaria.

Here are some causes of hives:

Inhaled or ingested: food, drugs, food additives, pollen.
Disease or infection: mastocytosis, carcinoma, rheumatic fever, lupus, mononucleosis.
Physical stimuli: heat, cold, UV rays.
Contact hives: plants, insect stings, cosmetics, latex, hair bleach.

Facts about hives:

About 20% of people will have hives at some point in their lives.
Hives can occur on any part of the body, including the trunk, arms and legs.
Hives may be 0.2 inches in diameter or more, and may resemble mosquito bites.

Many people have successfully learned to prevent hives by avoiding triggers that cause them. For some people this may be a particular food, for others it might be an environmental cue such as touching hot water, and still others may get hives if they are exposed to mold spores.

Some other strategies for treating hives through prevention are:

Drinking plenty of water, which helps flush toxins from the body.
Eating yogurt with acidophilus to relieve inflammation.
Incorporating garlic into your menu, as garlic has anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties.
Consuming the antioxidant vitamin C to help repair damaged cells and eliminate free radicals.

The best cure for hives is the one that provides maximum results with minimum side effects. Here are some different treatments for hives:

Antihistamines. These medications have been the traditional cure for hives, as they block the body's production of the hive-causing chemical, histamine. Some of these are available over-the-counter (such as Benadryl or Chlor-Trimeton), while some are prescriptions (Zyrtec or Allegra). Be aware that some antihistamines cause drowsiness, and as with all medications, side effects may also occur.

Self-care treatments. Some strategies may help you combat hives successfully at home, such as taking a cool shower, applying a cool compress, wearing loose clothing, and avoiding vigorous physical activity until the outbreak has subsided.

Epinephrine injections. For people who have sudden and severe outbreaks of hives, a doctor may recommend carrying a shot of adrenaline (epinephrine) with you to inject when needed.

Some cases of hives are stress-induced. If you are under a high level of emotional stress, try coming up with a stress-management plan.

Hivarex

Though most hives cases will eventually resolve themselves, you should see a doctor to make sure an underlying disease or illness is not causing them. You should see your doctor right away if you have lightheadedness, abdominal cramping, or trouble breathing. Ask about using a natural cure for hives.

Additional Reading:
In addition to the information covered on this page, we have additional pages explaining what are hives, the causes of hives, and the symptoms hives. For more detailed information on what causes hives and the symptoms chronic hives causes, follow these links. If your considering trying home remedies for hives, be sure to read this page first. If you are worried about hives on face, hives at night or the hives menopause connection, please be sure to follow the links to those sections.

More than the cure for hives on our Self Care Home Page