Hives (urticaria) - causes, symptoms, treatment options
Hives is a skin condition characterised by itchy wheals. Find out more about the causes, symptoms, treatment options and natural support measures.
Things worth knowing about "Hives (urticaria)"
Hives, also known as urticaria, is a skin condition characterised by reddish, itchy wheals and swelling.
Hives, also known as urticaria, is a skin condition characterised by red, itchy wheals and swelling. This reaction is caused by the release of histamine and other inflammatory mediators in the skin, which lead to increased permeability of the blood vessels and the formation of the typical skin lesions. Hives can occur acutely and subside within a few hours to days or persist as a chronic form for weeks, months or even years. The causes are varied and range from allergic reactions to food, medication or insect bites to non-allergic triggers such as stress, infections or autoimmune processes.
The symptoms of hives include very itchy skin changes that often appear suddenly and can change within hours. In addition to the typical wheals, deeper swellings in the tissue, known as angioedema, can also occur, affecting the face, lips or eyelids in particular. In severe cases, breathing difficulties or circulatory reactions may occur, requiring immediate medical treatment.
Treatment depends on the cause and severity of the condition. In acute cases, antihistamines help by blocking the effect of the histamine released and relieving itching and swelling. In more severe forms or chronic hives, corticosteroids or immunomodulators may be necessary. As oxidative stress and inflammation may play a role in the development of chronic urticaria, antioxidants such as vitamin C, quercetin, lactoferrin or polyphenols from green tea are increasingly being investigated as supportive measures.
Lifestyle measures such as avoiding known triggers, an anti-inflammatory diet and reducing stress can help to minimise the occurrence of symptoms. In many cases, the exact cause remains unclear, which is why a comprehensive diagnosis by a specialist is advisable in order to identify individual triggers and provide targeted treatment.
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