Hives And Your Skin
- Date: 2008-06-16 - Word Count: 422
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Hives are very common. It has been estimated that at least one in ten people get an attack at some time in their lives. If this has ever happened to you, then you know all about it.
Hives are intensely itchy wheals. They often appear very suddenly, and can occur on any part of the skin. The wheals move about all the time, with new spots appearing while others disappear. Attacks can last anywhere from hours to days.
The rash itself is caused by the release into your skin of a natural chemical called histamine, which is made in your body. Histamine is an important part of your immune system. When people come into contact with an allergy-causing substance (allergen) which produces hives, the immune system goes a little haywire, and releases large amounts of histamine, which is usually only found in traces. The histamine, in excess, causes the itchy, swollen red patches.
Very occasionally, so much histamine can be released that swelling occurs around the eyes, face and throat. This can cause difficulty swallowing and breathing. In very rare instances, the person can collapse and become unconscious. If your child has hives and this seems to be happening, take him straight to hospital-it could save his life.
There are many things which can cause this type of allergic reaction. Foods, medications, insect bites, vaccinations and pollens can all do it. These are things that are swallowed, injected or inhaled. Another common cause of hives in children is a simple viral illness. The duration of the attack is related to how long it takes for the allergy-causing substance to be eradicated from your system. This is why length of attacks is so variable, and in the case of viruses, can last a few weeks. It's not at all uncommon for a child to be allergic to some common substance which is being eaten every day, and in such cases the hives can seem to be continuous for many weeks.
If your child has hives, the attacks can usually be relieved with antihistamines, which can be obtained from the chemist. But make sure you know what the skin rash is before you treat it. This may require a visit to your doctor. Fortunately most attacks are brief, and only when the problem becomes long-standing will your child need investigation to determine the cause of the allergy. Be patient, and in most cases the attack will be over in a week or two. Remember that although hives are itchy and uncomfortable, it is almost always a harmless allergic condition.
Hives are intensely itchy wheals. They often appear very suddenly, and can occur on any part of the skin. The wheals move about all the time, with new spots appearing while others disappear. Attacks can last anywhere from hours to days.
The rash itself is caused by the release into your skin of a natural chemical called histamine, which is made in your body. Histamine is an important part of your immune system. When people come into contact with an allergy-causing substance (allergen) which produces hives, the immune system goes a little haywire, and releases large amounts of histamine, which is usually only found in traces. The histamine, in excess, causes the itchy, swollen red patches.
Very occasionally, so much histamine can be released that swelling occurs around the eyes, face and throat. This can cause difficulty swallowing and breathing. In very rare instances, the person can collapse and become unconscious. If your child has hives and this seems to be happening, take him straight to hospital-it could save his life.
There are many things which can cause this type of allergic reaction. Foods, medications, insect bites, vaccinations and pollens can all do it. These are things that are swallowed, injected or inhaled. Another common cause of hives in children is a simple viral illness. The duration of the attack is related to how long it takes for the allergy-causing substance to be eradicated from your system. This is why length of attacks is so variable, and in the case of viruses, can last a few weeks. It's not at all uncommon for a child to be allergic to some common substance which is being eaten every day, and in such cases the hives can seem to be continuous for many weeks.
If your child has hives, the attacks can usually be relieved with antihistamines, which can be obtained from the chemist. But make sure you know what the skin rash is before you treat it. This may require a visit to your doctor. Fortunately most attacks are brief, and only when the problem becomes long-standing will your child need investigation to determine the cause of the allergy. Be patient, and in most cases the attack will be over in a week or two. Remember that although hives are itchy and uncomfortable, it is almost always a harmless allergic condition.
Related Tags: skin, condition, hives
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