Allergies

Food allergies can set off an episode of hives or urticaria, a fairly common symptom of allergy seen in several people. Hives is manifested as similar to insect bite reaction – a itchy rash with localized inflammation and redness that can appear in some small area or all over the body. You can either get a short attack of hives called acute urticaria or a chronic attack that lasts more than a month.

Common Causes of Hives:

Hives can be caused by various types of allergies – food allergies are the most common cause, but other causes include medication, infections, exercise or even extreme changes in temperature. Hives can also occur without any root cause and remain for a long period of time. These cases are called chronic idiopathic urticaria.

Treatment for Hives:

Antihistamines are the treatment of choice for hives as most often it is caused by allergy. Over the counter medicines such as Benedryl are often used for immediate treatment of hives. The newer antihistamines such as Clarinex (desloratadine) and Xyzal (levocetirizine) have the advantage of not causing drowsiness like the older antihistamines used to do. However in case of chronic hives, doctors may prescribe steroids such as cortisone or prednisone for a short time to lower the swelling. If anaphylaxis is also present along with hives then use of epinephrine is advised.

What can you do to Prevent Hives from Food?

Consult your physician before you decide to give up any food that you just doubt, but are not sure of causing an allergy. Your physician may order an allergy test for you to identify the cause of the allergy and what you should give up. Once the allergen source is discovered it is a good idea to keep away from the triggering foods so as to prevent an allergy attack.

Treat Yourselves or Consult a Doctor?

If your hives is mild and you don’t have additional symptoms then it can be cured with antihistamines that are available over-the-counter which will treat the inflammation and itching. However, if your hives are severe or if they are spread all over your body or if they do not get cured by over the counter anti-histamines then you need to consult a doctor. Your doctor may just ask you to change your medicine or may actually need to conduct more elaborate tests on you. Sometimes hives can present itself along with other symptoms such as trouble in breathing, tachycardia or abnormal heart rates. These may signal an anaphylactic shock and require emergency intervention. Call emergency operator and quickly take an epinephrine if you already have a prescription for the drug.

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