An allergy is an abnormally high sensitivity reaction to an ordinarily harmless substance. The immune system of an allergic person reacts when an allergen is absorbed into their body, treating the substance as a harmful invader, causing the white blood cells to begin producing IgE antibodies which attach themselves to mast cells. When this occurs it causes the body to release histamine, which can cause allergy symptoms — watery eyes, itching, sneezing or a runny nose.

Contact dermatitis, eczema, and hives can be types of skin allergies.

Chemicals in cosmetics or lotions may also cause skin problems. The symptoms may occur right away, or take a few days to develop. These symptoms include swelling, burning, stinging, itching, and redness. Most of these reactions are caused by skin care products that are used on the face, hands, and body. Other causes include hair care products, including hair dye and permanent solution, and face makeup products.

Eczema may occur for unknown reasons or as a result of exposure to certain plants, foods, animals, nickel, rubber, soap products or dyes. This can produce itchy rashes and weeping blisters. This is a common problem with all jewelry made with nickel as a base metal.

Hives are another kind of skin response. They may occur as a result of changes in body temperature or stress. Hives are small, red, itchy swellings on the skin. They arise quickly and can last up to 48 hours. They appear in clusters which disappear as another cluster develops. Foods like chocolate, nuts, tomatoes, and berries are common causes of hives. Certain drugs such as aspirin, penicillin, and sulfa may cause hives, as well. Some people get hives simply by rubbing or scratching their skin.

No permanent cure exists for skin reactions. It is best to try and avoid the causes. It may help to change to hypoallergenic and fragrance free products. If contact dermatitis, eczema or hives do occur, they can often be treated with over the counter antihistamines such as Benadryl.

By: awi

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Hives for themost part are more annoying than they are dangerous. They affect about 20% of the population, most frequently people who already experience other allergic reactions. They appear as batches of itchy red bumps, with clearly defined edges and flat tops. The bumps quickly join together to form large flat areas of raised lesions. They will rapidly change in shape and size, which is unique to hives. Hives are usually caused by an allergic reaction, but can also be brought on by stress. They are the result of the body releasing histamines into the bloodstream in response to either a medication (frequently penicillin or aspirin), food (often nuts or shellfish), heat, insect bite, animal dander (usually cat), or emotional stress.

"Chronic hives" are hives that occur in episodes, daily or nearly every day, for more than six weeks. For a benign condition, hives certainly cause a lot of suffering for those that have them. As your doctor has probably mentioned, there is no identifiable allergy or underlying medical condition to explain chronic hives in about 85 percent of those who suffer from them.

Quercetin is a plant pigment that is found in leafy green vegetables, onions, apples, and other natural foods. Quercetin acts as a natural antihistamine, which can help reduce or even completely eliminate hives in many people. Herbalists recommend taking 500 milligrams of this natural remedy for hives twice a day.

Vitamin C is required for the formation of connective tissue and plays an important role in maintaining proper immune function central to the treatment of Hives. Several studies have suggested that Vitamin B12 may help reduce the frequency and severity of hives. Quercetin is a bioflavonoid which possesses beneficial antioxidant qualities which is useful in the treatment of Hives.

The essential oil of chamomile is an excellent first choice to treat hives, but if it’s too expensive or you don’t have any on hand, you can turn to an essential oil that decreases inflammation, such as lavender. The fragrance of either lavender or chamomile oil can also be very calming to someone who feels that they are going to go mad from the itching.

A person with hives shouldn’t take hot baths or showers, this aggravates the skin, she should try cold water compresses instead, or a cold shower. Tight clothing or underwear, any skin irritation, will trigger more outbreaks. The symptoms will only be intensified if a woman gets hot or sweaty; for this reason it is advisable to avoid exercise.

The Benadryl will stop the sypmtoms, though. Follow the directions on the box. Some hives are caused by allergies to such things as foods and medications, but the large majority of cases are not allergic, and no specific cause for them is ever found. The most commonly used oral treatments are antihistamines, which help oppose the effects of the histamine leaked by mast cells. Topical therapies for hives include creams and lotions which help numb nerve endings and reduce itching. Some ingredients which can accomplish this are camphor, menthol, diphenhydramine (Benadryl), and pramoxine.

Sandalwood essential oil is especially used in Native American medicine wherein it is believed that hives are a fiery condition. This essential oil is well known for its calming and cooling effects. As such, many herbalists refer to Sandalwood as a sedative for the skin.

By: User name - Peter Hutch

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Hives - The simple facts and the cures

 Learn the facts on Hives, and the cures…

What is Hives: The skin becomes covered with pinkish or red bumps or swollen areas of skin. Sometimes they itch real bad, and at othertimes they don’t. You can get hives over most of your body, or sometimes just on your stomach, or arms. The medical name for hives is urticaria.

What causes Hives: Hives are usualy caused by being allergic to something. But they can occur when a person is exposed to anything that causes his body to release histamine. Releasing histamine causes liquid to leak from blood vessels under the skin. When this fluid collects or ‘pools’ together it creates the bumps that are called ‘hives’.

My daughter and I both have had hives, and we both got them from the same reasons, we were allergic to medications given for other illnesses. I got hives from taking penicillian, even though I took penicillian most of my life with no side effects, I now find myself very allergic to it. My daughter got hives from taking ‘Ceclore’, a prescription antibiotic, for an ear infection. You can also get hives from insect bites and stings and from allergic reactions to eating fish, shellfish, nuts, and eggs. Strangely, you can eat a food item all your life, then suddenly develop an allergy to it, like I did to the medication Penicillian.

Treatment for Hives: When my daughter and I both developed hives from medicine allergies, we were given Benadryl, and stopped taking the medicines that caused the hives to first appear, in a day or two they were gone. They are usually treated with an antihistamine or the prescription medicine Atarax.

There is a website that provides cures, facts and other great information on Hives and numerous medical conditions, the website is called: All About Health, and can be found at this url: http://www.rb59.com/medical-health-info

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