Hives also known as urticaria, is a kind of skin rash with red, raised, itchy bumps. They may also burn or sting. Often the patches of rash move around. Typically they last a few days and do not leave any long lasting skin changes. Less than 5% of cases last for more than six weeks. The condition frequently recurs.
About 20% of people are affected . Cases of short duration occur equally in males and females while cases of long duration are more common in females. Cases of short duration or more common among children while cases of long duration are more common among those who are middle aged. The term urticaria is from the Latin urtica meaning “nettle”.
CAUSES
The welts that come with hives arise when certain cells release histamine and other chemicals into your bloodstream.
The skin reaction may be triggered by:
Pain medications
Insects or parasites
Infection
Scratching
Heat or cold
Stress
Sunlight
Exercise
Alcohol, food or food additives
Pressure on the skin, as from a tight waistband
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
Chronic hives signs and symptoms include:
Batches of red or white welts (wheals), usually on the face, trunk, arms or legs
Welts that vary in size, change shape, and appear and fade repeatedly as the reaction runs its course
Itching, which may be severe
Swelling that causes pain or burning (angioedema), especially inside the throat and around the eyes, cheeks, lips, hands, feet and genitals
A tendency for signs and symptoms to flare with triggers such as heat, exercise and stress
A tendency for symptoms to recur frequently and unpredictably, sometimes for months or years
COMPLICATIONS
Chronic hives complications include:
Difficulty breathing. When swelling occurs inside your mouth or throat, you may have difficulty breathing and pass out.
Serious allergic reaction. Anaphylactic shock (anaphylaxis) is a serious allergic reaction involving your heart or lungs. Your bronchial tubes narrow, it’s difficult to breathe, and your blood pressure drops. You may feel dizzy, pass out or even die. Anaphylactic shock happens fast.
People with chronic hives may be at increased risk of developing these immune system disorders:
Thyroid disease
Lupus
Rheumatoid arthritis
Sjogren’s syndrome
Celiac disease
Type 1 diabetes
HOMOEOPATHIC MANAGEMENT
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HOMOEOPATHIC APPROACH
Homeopathy treats the person as a whole. It means that homeopathic treatment focuses on the patient as a person, as well as his pathological condition. The homeopathic remedies for urticaria are selected after a full individualizing examination and case-analysis, which includes the medical history of the patient, physical and mental constitution etc. A miasmatic tendency (predisposition/susceptibility) is also often taken into account for the treatment of chronic conditions. The homeopathic remedies for urticaria given below indicate the therapeutic affinity but this is not a complete and definite guide to the homeopathy treatment of urticaria. The symptoms listed against each medicine may not be directly related to this disease because in homeopathy general symptoms and constitutional indications are also taken into account for selecting a remedy.