7. Hives — also called urticaria
(ur-tih-KAR-e-uh) — is a skin
reaction that causes itchy
welts. Chronic hives are welts
that last for more than six
weeks and return often over
months or years. Often, the
cause of chronic hives isn't
clear.
8.
9. Hives are often-itchy bumps and
raised patches that developwhen
the body releaseshistamine. Your
body stores histamine inside cells.
When your immune system
recognizes a threat, it releases
histamine and other chemicals
10.
11. Avoid triggers.
These can include foods, medications, pollen,
pollen, pet dander, latex and insect stings. If
you think a medication caused your rash, stop
stop using it and contact your primary care
provider. Some studies suggest that stress or
or fatigue can trigger hives.
12.
13. The standard treatment for hives and
angioedema is antihistamines that don't make
you drowsy.These medications reduce
itching, swelling and other allergysymptoms.
They're available in nonprescription and
prescription formulations. Drugs that
suppressthe immune system
14.
15. Some nonprescription oral antihistamine, such
as loratadine (Alavert, Claritin, others), cetirizine (Zyrtec
Allergy, others) or diphenhydramine (Benadryl Allergy,
others), may help relieve itching. Consider whether you
might prefer a type that doesn't cause drowsiness. Ask
your pharmacist about options. Apply cold
19. The affects of hives are some Welts
that might be red, purple or skin-
colored, depending on your skin color.
Welts that vary in size, change shape,
and appear and fade repeatedly.
Itchiness (pruritus), which can be
intense. Painful swelling (angioedema)
around the eyes, cheeks or lips.
20. Angioedemais swellingunderneath the
skin. It's usuallya reaction to a trigger,
such as a medicineor something you're
allergicto. It is not normallyserious, but it
can be a recurring problem for some
people and can very occasionallybe life-
threatening if it affects breathing.
Angioedema
21. Pruritusis a medical termthat means itching. It
refersto a feelingor sensation on your skin that
you want to scratch. Prurituscan be painful or
irritatingand could be localized to one areaof
your body or spread throughout several areas.
Prurituscan be a symptom of an underlying
condition.
Pruritus
