Hives, also known as urticaria, are 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. Fewer than 5% of cases last for more than six weeks. The condition frequently recurs. Hives frequently occur following an infection or as a result of an allergic reaction such as to medication, insect bites, or food. 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. Other than the prevention, treatments, and home remedies, Siddha remedies of Swami Hardas Life System also can be useful. Let us know in-depth about Hives for well-being.
Definition of Hives
Who is at risk?
People who are known to have allergies are more likely to get hives. You may also be at risk to develop hives if you are on medication or if you are unknowingly exposed to things you may be allergic to, such as food or pollen. If you are already ill with an infection or a health condition, you may be more vulnerable to developing hives.
Hives Symptoms
Skin rash
Hives, or urticaria, are a form of skin rash with red, raised, itchy bumps. They may also burn or sting. Welts (raised areas surrounded by a red base) from hives can appear anywhere on the surface of the skin. Whether the trigger is allergic or not, a complex release of inflammatory mediators, including histamine from cutaneous mast cells, results in fluid leakage from superficial blood vessels. Welts may be pinpoint in size or several inches in diameter. Often the patches of rash move around.
Short and long-duration cases
Cases of long duration are more common in females. Cases of short duration are more common among children while cases of long duration are more common among those who are middle-aged. Fewer than 5% of cases last for more than six weeks. The condition frequently recurs. In half of the cases of hives, the cause remains unknown.
Allergic and nonallergic
Angioedema is a related condition (also from allergic and nonallergic causes), though fluid leakage is from much deeper blood vessels in the subcutaneous or submucosal layers. Individual hives that are painful, last more than 24 hours, or leave a bruise as they heal are more likely to be a more serious condition called urticarial vasculitis. Hives caused by stroking the skin (often linear in appearance) are due to a benign condition called dermatographic urticaria.
Hives Causes
Many different substances in the environment may cause hives, including medications, food, and physical agents. In perhaps more than 50% of people with chronic hives of unknown cause, it is due to an autoimmune reaction. Risk factors include having conditions such as hay fever or asthma.
Medications that cause Hives
Drugs that have caused allergic reactions evidenced as hives include:
- Codeine,
- Sulfate of morphia,
- Dextroamphetamine,
- Aspirin,
- Ibuprofen,
- Penicillin,
- Clotrimazole,
- Trichazole,
- Sulfonamides,
- Anticonvulsants,
- Cefaclor,
- Piracetam,
- Vaccines, and antidiabetic drugs.
Food that causes Hives
The most common food allergies in adults are shellfish and nuts. The most common food allergies in children are shellfish, nuts, eggs, wheat, and soy.
One study showed Balsam of Peru, which is in many processed foods, to be the most common cause of immediate contact urticaria. A less common cause is exposure to certain bacteria, such as Streptococcus species or possibly Helicobacter pylori.
Infections or environmental agents that cause Hives
Hives including chronic spontaneous hives can be a complication and symptom of a parasitic infection, such as blastocystosis and strongyloidiasis among others.
The rash is caused by contact with urushiol and results in a form of contact dermatitis called urushiol-induced contact dermatitis.
Dermatographic urticaria
The appearance of weals or welts
Dermatographic urticaria (also known as dermatographism or “skin writing”) is marked by the appearance of weals or welts on the skin as a result of scratching or firm stroking of the skin. Seen in 4–5% of the population, it is one of the most common types of urticaria, in which the skin becomes raised and inflamed when stroked, scratched, rubbed, and sometimes even slapped.
Physical hives
The skin reaction usually becomes evident soon after the scratching and disappears within 30 minutes. Dermatographism is the most common form of a subset of chronic hives, acknowledged as “physical hives”.
Pressure or delayed pressure
This type of hives can occur right away, precisely after a pressure stimulus is enforced on the skin. In the deferred form, the hives only appear after about six hours from the initial application of pressure to the skin. Under normal circumstances, these hives are not the same as those witnessed with most urticariae.
Pressure on the skin
Instead, the protrusion in the affected areas is typically more spread out. The hives may last from eight hours to three days. The source of the pressure on the skin can happen from tight fitted clothing, belts, clothing with tough straps, walking, leaning against an object, standing, sitting on a hard surface, etc.
Areas of the body affected
The areas of the body most commonly affected are the hands, feet, trunk, abdomen, buttocks, legs, and face. Although this appears to be very similar to dermatographism, the cardinal difference is that the swelled skin areas do not become visible quickly and tend to last much longer. This form of skin disease is, however, rare.
Cholinergic or stress that causes Hives
Cholinergic urticaria (CU) is one of the physical urticaria which is provoked during sweating events such as exercise, bathing, staying in a heated environment, or emotional stress. The hives produced are typically smaller than classic hives and are generally shorter-lasting.
Cold-induced hives
Rare form
The cold type of urticaria is caused by exposure of the skin to extreme cold, damp and windy conditions; it occurs in two forms. The rare form is hereditary and becomes evident as hives all over the body 9 to 18 hours after cold exposure. The common form of cold urticaria demonstrates itself with the rapid onset of hives on the face, neck, or hands after exposure to cold.
Cold urticaria is common and lasts for an average of five to six years. The population most affected is young adults, between 18 and 25 years old. Many people with the condition also suffer from dermographism and cholinergic hives.
Exposure to cold water
Severe reactions can be seen with exposure to cold water; swimming in cold water is the most common cause of a severe reaction. This can cause a massive discharge of histamine, resulting in low blood pressure, fainting, shock, and even loss of life. Cold urticaria is diagnosed by dabbing an ice cube against the skin of the forearm for 1 to 5 minutes.
A hasty drop in body temperature
A distinct hive should develop if a person suffers from cold urticaria. This is different from the normal redness that can be seen in people without cold urticaria. People with cold urticaria need to learn to protect themselves from a hasty drop in body temperature.
Regular antihistamines are not generally efficacious. One particular antihistamine, cyproheptadine (Periactin), is useful. The tricyclic antidepressant doxepin is an effective blocking agent of histamine. Finally, a medication named ketotifen, which keeps mast cells from discharging histamine has also been employed with widespread success.
Solar urticaria
This form of the disease occurs on areas of the skin exposed to the sun; the condition becomes evident within minutes of exposure.
Water-induced hives
This type of urticaria is also termed rare and occurs upon contact with water. The response is not temperature-dependent and the skin appears similar to the cholinergic form of the disease. The appearance of hives is within one to 15 minutes of contact with the water and can last from 10 minutes to two hours.
Aquagenic urticaria
Most researchers believe this condition is actually skin sensitivity to additives in the water, such as chlorine. Antihistamines are of questionable benefit in this instance since histamine is not the causative factor.
Exercise Urticaria
The condition was first distinguished in 1980. People with exercise urticaria (EU) experience hives, itchiness, shortness of breath, and low blood pressure five to 30 minutes after beginning exercise. These symptoms can progress to shock and even sudden death.
Exercises within 30 minutes of eating
EU sometimes occurs only when someone exercises within 30 minutes of eating particular foods, such as wheat or shellfish. For these individuals, exercising alone or eating the injuring food without exercising produces no symptoms.
Airway support
Taking antihistamines before exercise may be effective. Avoiding exercise or foods that cause the mentioned symptoms is very important. In particular circumstances, regular exercise can bring tolerance, but this must be under medical supervision.
![https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b020c3_c58f9fc070184e798789ebe79d6ea026~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_104,y_61,w_1865,h_1933/fill/w_560,h_568,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/urticaria.jpg Hives (Urticaria) | Queens, NY | Allergy Specialist 2022](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b020c3_c58f9fc070184e798789ebe79d6ea026~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_104,y_61,w_1865,h_1933/fill/w_560,h_568,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_auto/urticaria.jpg)
Hives Pathophysiology
The skin lesions of urticarial disease are caused by an inflammatory reaction in the skin, causing leakage of capillaries in the dermis, and resulting in edema which persists until the interstitial fluid is absorbed into the surrounding cells.
Hives are caused by the release of histamine and other mediators of inflammation (cytokines) from cells in the skin. This process can be the result of an allergic or nonallergic reaction, differing in the eliciting mechanism of histamine release.
Allergic hives
Histamine and other pro-inflammatory substances are released from mast cells in the skin and tissues.
Autoimmune hives
Over half of all cases of chronic idiopathic hives are the result of an autoimmune trigger. Roughly 50% of people with chronic urticaria spontaneously develop autoantibodies directed at the receptor located on skin mast cells. Chronic stimulation of this receptor leads to chronic hives. People with hives often have other autoimmune conditions, such as:
- Autoimmune thyroiditis,
- Celiac disease,
- Type 1 diabetes,
- Rheumatoid arthritis,
- Sjögren’s syndrome, or systemic lupus erythematosus.
Infections
Hive-like rashes commonly accompany viral illnesses, such as the common cold. They usually appear three to five days after the cold has started, and may even appear a few days after the cold has resolved.
Nonallergic hives
Many drugs, for example, morphine, can induce direct histamine release not involving any immunoglobulin molecule.
Dietary histamine poisoning
This is termed scombroid food poisoning. Ingestion of free histamine released by bacterial decay in fish flesh may result in a rapid-onset, allergic-type symptom complex including hives.
Stress and chronic idiopathic hives
Chronic idiopathic hives have been anecdotally linked to stress since the 1940s. A large body of evidence demonstrates an association between this condition and poor emotional well-being and reduced health-related quality of life. A link between stress and this condition has also been shown.
A recent study has demonstrated an association between stressful life events (e.g. bereavement, divorce, etc.) and chronic idiopathic urticaria and also an association between post-traumatic stress and chronic idiopathic hives.
Hives Diagnosis
Diagnosis is typically based on appearance. Patch testing may be useful to determine the allergy. No evidence shows regular allergy testing results in the identification of a problem or relief for people with chronic hives.
AVC
Acute urticaria
Acute urticaria is the presence of evanescent wheals that completely resolve within six weeks. Typically, the hives are a reaction to food, but the trigger is unknown in about half the cases.
Common foods may be the cause, as well as bee or wasp stings, or skin contact with certain fragrances. Acute viral infection is another common cause of acute urticaria (viral exanthem). Less common causes of hives include friction, pressure, temperature extremes, exercise, and sunlight.
Chronic urticaria
Chronic urticaria (ordinary urticaria) is the presence of evanescent wheals that persist for more than six weeks. Some of the more severe chronic cases have lasted more than 20 years. A survey indicated chronic urticaria lasted a year or more in more than 50% of sufferers and 20 years or more in 20% of them.
Acute and chronic hives are visually indistinguishable.
Hives related conditions
Angioedema
Angioedema is similar to hives, but in angioedema, the swelling occurs in a lower layer of the dermis than in hives, as well as in the subcutis. This swelling can occur around the mouth, eyes, throat, abdomen, or other locations. Hives and angioedema sometimes occur together in response to an allergen and are a concern in severe cases, as angioedema of the throat can be fatal.
Vibratory angioedema
This very rare form of angioedema develops in response to contact with vibration. In vibratory angioedema, symptoms develop within two to five minutes after contact with a vibrating object and abate after about an hour. People with this disorder do not suffer from dermographism or pressure urticaria.
The principal treatment is avoidance of vibratory stimulants.
Hives Prevention
Simple changes to your lifestyle may be able to help you prevent hives from reoccurring in the future. If you have allergies and you know which substances are likely to cause an allergic reaction, your doctor will suggest that you avoid any possible exposure to these factors. Allergy shots are another option that may help you reduce the risk of experiencing hives again.
Avoid being in high-humidity areas or wearing tight clothing if you have recently had a hives outbreak.
Hives Treatment
The mainstay of therapy for both acute and chronic hives is education, avoiding triggers, and using antihistamines.
Symptomatic management
Chronic hives can be difficult to treat and lead to significant disability. Unlike the acute form, 50–80% of people with chronic hives have no identifiable triggers. But 50% of people with chronic hives will experience remission within 1 year.
Individuals with chronic hives may need other medications in addition to antihistamines to control symptoms. People who experience hives with angioedema require emergency treatment as this is a life-threatening condition.
Treatment involves a stepwise approach
According to the 2014 American practice parameters, treatment involves a stepwise approach:
- The first step consists of the second generation, H1 receptor blocking antihistamines.
- The second step consists of increasing the dose of the current antihistamine, adding other antihistamines, or adding a leukotriene receptor antagonist such as montelukast.
- Step 3 consists of adding or replacing the current treatment with hydroxyzine or doxepin.
Antihistamines
Non-sedating antihistamines that block histamine H1 receptors are the first line of therapy. First-generation antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine or hydroxyzine, block both brain and peripheral H1 receptors and cause sedation.
Second-generation antihistamines, such as loratadine, cetirizine, or desloratadine, selectively antagonize peripheral H1 receptors, and are less sedating, less anticholinergic, and generally preferred over first-generation antihistamines. Fexofenadine, a new-generation antihistamine that blocks histamine H1 receptors, may be less sedating than some second-generation antihistamines.
Increasing the dose
People who do not respond to the maximum dose of H1 antihistamines may benefit from increasing the dose, then switching to another non-sedating antihistamine, then adding a leukotriene antagonist, then using an older antihistamine, then using systemic steroids, and finally using ciclosporin or omalizumab.
Systemic steroids
Oral glucocorticoids are effective in controlling symptoms of chronic hives however they have an extensive list of adverse effects such as adrenal suppression, weight gain, osteoporosis, hyperglycemia, etc. In addition, one study found that systemic glucocorticoids combined with antihistamines did not hasten the time to symptom control compared with antihistamines alone.
Leukotriene-receptor antagonists
Leukotrienes are released from mast cells along with histamine. The medications, montelukast and zafirlukast block leukotriene receptors and can be used as add-on treatment or in isolation for people with CU. It is important to note that these medications may be more beneficial for people with NSAID-induced CU.
Other
Other options for refractory symptoms of chronic hives include:
- Anti-inflammatory medications,
- Omalizumab, and
- Immunosuppressants.
Potential anti-inflammatory agents include:
- Dapsone,
- Sulfasalazine, and
- Hydroxychloroquine.
Dapsone is a sulfone antimicrobial agent and is thought to suppress prostaglandin and leukotriene activity.
Sulfasalazine is a good option for people with anemia who cannot take dapsone.
Hydroxychloroquine is an antimalarial agent that suppresses T lymphocytes. It has a low cost however it takes longer than dapsone or sulfasalazine to work.
Ayurveda for Hives
- Ayurvedic herbs like Haridra (Curcuma longa), Neem (Azadirachta indica), Shirish (Albizzia lebbock), and Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Shirish (Albizzia lebbock), Vasa are herbs which works better on skin diseases and visha (Poisoning).
- Elimination of dosha and Purification of the body toxins with Ayurvedic medicines and Panchkarma procedures is essential to cure urticaria.
- Abhyanga (massage), svedana (fomentation), Vamana (induced vomiting), and virechen (induced lose motion) are very effective in treating Urticaria.
Home remedies for Hives
- Take 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder with a glass of milk or water two to three times a day. It is an excellent treatment to increase the body’s immunity.
- Massage the skin with mustard oil for 15 minutes, followed it by a bath with lukewarm water.
- Mix black pepper powder ½ to one teaspoon and desi ghee ½ teaspoon and consume it on empty stomach every morning. Continue for up to three months for better results.
Siddha remedies for Hives
1. Siddha preventive measures
Everybody must practice Siddha preventive measures, whether a person is affected by hives or not, but preventive measures are the primary steps for switching on to any other Siddha remedies, and hence they are important. It helps in one’s capability, effectiveness, productivity, decision-making power, intellectuality, and removing minor health problems. There are three types of preventive measures:
- Earthing – performed for removing and earthing the negativity of our body
- Field cleaning – cleans the energy field (Aura) of our body
- Siddha brain exercise/Energizing – energizes our brain for proper functionality
Everybody’s tendency is to get attracted to the word ‘free, however, don’t neglect even these Siddha preventive measures are free. Avail of the benefits by practicing them sincerely, and regularly. For ease of understanding what Siddha preventive measures are, please watch a video for a live demonstration.
2. Siddha Shaktidata Yoga
This unique Siddha Shaktidata Yoga of Siddha Spirituality can solve the problems related to hives with Siddha remedies. There is no compulsion of training in ‘Swami Hardas Life System’ methods. This not only gives benefits to self but also it can be used for other affected persons, whether a person is in the same house, distantly available in the same city, same nation, or might be in any corner of the world, however, both the procedures have been explained here.
3. Siddha Kalyan Sadhana
Recite this Sadhana with a Sankalp “My problems of hives are solved as early as possible and I should gain health”, which should be repeated in mind 3 – 3 times after each stanza. Any person irrespective of caste, creed, religion, faith, sex, and age can recite this Sadhana for free, which should be repeated at least twice a day. To know more, please click on this link.
4. CCPE products for Hives
These products work on the concepts of ‘Conceptual Creative Positive Energy’ (CCPE) within the provisions of the ‘CCPE Life System’ and the theory of Quantum Technology to a certain extent. However, please use these products for hives as mentioned below:
CCPE Extractor: The CCPE Extractor should be gently moved over the Agya Chakra in a circular motion at least for 30 to 60 seconds, thereafter, follow the same process on the affected part which finishes within almost 1-2 minutes.
CCPE Booster: Keep one Booster over the Agya Chakra and another over the affected part for 3 minutes. You may need to have 2 Boosters, which establishes positivity.
CCPE Booster Powder: Mix a pinch of CCPE booster powder with a few drops of coconut oil and make a paste. Apply it over the affected part, and leave it for about 30 minutes. Repeat the process every after 2 hours.
5. UAM or Touch Therapy for Hives
For quick and effective results, it is advisable to learn the unique methods of the Swami Hardas Life System. A trained person can only apply the UAM method or Touch therapy themself and become capable of healing others.
A daily routine for Hives
In general, a daily routine for hives may look like this:
- Follow the instructions of your Doctor
- Consume Sattvic diet
- Get rid of obesity, if you are obese or overweight
- Perform breathing exercises regularly
- Apply free touch therapy (UAM) a minimum 3 times a day, as explained above
- Perform Swayamsiddha Agnihotra daily, either self or the caretaker can perform
- In case, if someone wishes to learn advanced methods of Swami Hardas Life System, undergo unique training
Ensure to sprinkle in some fun during the day: Don’t forget to relax and laugh in between. Laughing is a great way to boost your immune system and help you.
Along with all the above activities, apply above explained free Siddha remedies minimum 3 times a day, the more is good. Just try the methods of Siddha Spirituality of Swami Hardas Life System. I am confident that you will surely find improvements within 3 days.
Training of Swami Hardas Life System
Any health, peace, and progress-related problem can be solved independently by undergoing Swami Hardas Life System training. It needs no money and medicines. Any person irrespective of religion, caste, creed, faith, sex, and age can undergo this unique training.
Conclusion
Because of the above, I am confident that you have learned about hives, definition, symptoms, risk factors, causes, diagnosis, prevention, treatment, Ayurveda, Home remedies, and Siddha remedies. Now, that you have become self-sufficient, hence it’s the right time to use your acquired knowledge for solving problems as per the provision available in Siddha Spirituality of Swami Hardas Life System.
However, keep learning and practicing the free Siddha remedies, which would help guide how to solve various problems regarding health, peace, and progress, without money and medicines.
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Frequently asked questions
Before posting your query, kindly go through them:
What are Hives?
Hives is an allergic disorder marked by raised edematous patches of skin or mucous membrane and usually intense itching and caused by contact with a specific precipitating factor (such as a food, drug, or inhalant) either externally or internally. |
Who is at risk of Hives?
People who are known to have allergies are more likely to get hives. You may also be at risk to develop hives if you are on medication. However, if you are already ill with an infection or a health condition, you may be more vulnerable to developing hives. |
How to prevent Hives?
Simple changes to your lifestyle may be able to help you prevent hives from reoccurring in the future. If you have allergies and you know which substances are likely to cause an allergic reaction, your doctor will suggest that you avoid any possible exposure to these factors. |
Thanks for the fantastic knowledge about Hives?
So kind of you, Dr. Hemangi. Your precious words encourage me. Thanks for your precious time given to me. Please take care and stay safe!!