Chronic Hives Condition - How To Treat This Condition

Understand that chronic hives can be caused by many things. The itchy, swollen areas of skin are often referred to as wheals. Acute cases of hives that last for less than six weeks are usually caused by an allergen such as a food or certain medications. Long-lasting hives however are not normally an allergic reaction, and look no different to acute urticaria but can be quite painful and difficult to manage. Chronic hives, which last for six weeks or longer, accounts for up to a third of all hives cases.

The hives are caused by an inflammatory reaction in the skin, whereby capillaries in the upper dermis level of the skin leak, causing a reddish swelling. Hives are a reaction of the body to something in the environment or within the body itself. Stress and poor emotional well being has long been linked to cases of skin hives. If you are suffering from a prolonged case of chronic hives, your doctor will generally run tests to first rule out an allergic reaction, then check that the urticaria is not an auto-immune response. Recent research suggests that chronic hives may in fact be a reaction of the immune system against the skin, with uncertain cause.

Approaches to finding a hives treatment and controlling future outbreaks relate to stemming the factors that tend to exacerbate the condition. For example, scratching is a key way in which hives is encouraged to worsen, so the application of ointments can prevent the itchiness and promote healing. Other triggers of chronic hives cases include heat and friction on the skin such as that caused by constricting clothing like bras and belts. There are environmental causes of hives such as cold or sun-exposure, vibration (though less common) and inhalation of pollens and substances like pollens and dust, so avoiding these environmental triggers is important in such cases.

A hives rash can also be triggered by infections in the body, such as bladder or vaginal infections, sinus infections - even Athlete's foot may cause an outbreak. When an infection is to blame, treating it usually results in relief from the chronic hives condition too.

Some people find relief through creams and ointments while others prefer to take medications. Other medications that may be effective are antihistamines, with the drowsiness-causing antihistamines recommended for use only at night. Antihistamines suitable for daytime use include Claritin and Zyrtec, while evening medications include Benadryl and Atarax. Some antihistamines like Claritin are readily available over the counter while others are prescription only.

H2 blockers such as Zantac work on a different set of antihistamine receptors in the body. All types of antihistamine medications work by reducing the release of histamine in the skin cells, which causes the red hives. Other medical treatments include oral steroids such as Prednisone that may be used to treat chronic cases of hives that do not respond to antihistamines - however the prolonged use of steroids is not advised. Generally the dosage of oral steroids will be reduced as the hives come under control.

Very occasionally, foods are the cause of cases of chronic hives, and so allergy testing is recommended. If hives last for longer than two to three months it is a good idea to see a specialist, however unfortunately it is likely that the cause may never be found.
by: Sonya Tyler

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Biduran, Kaligata, atau Urtikaria

Biduran adalah gangguan berupa bentol-bentol di kulit, sangat gatal, kadang-kadang disertai rasa nyeri atau panas. Gangguan yang juga kerap disebut kaligata ini, jika parah, sering disertai bengkak di bibir, kelopak mata, dan daun telinga.

Dalam bahasa medis, biduran disebut urtikaria. Dasar terjadinya adalah alergi. Jika seorang yang sensitif terpapar bahan yang bersifat alergen, misalnya makan telur, terkena ulat bulu, dll, maka tubuhnya serta merta memproduksi senyawa kimia yang disebut histamin. Senyawa inilah yang menjadi biang rasa gatal. Histamin juga menyebabkan merembesnya cairan dari dalam pembuluh darah, sehingga menimbulkan bentol di kulit atau bengkak di bibir atau tempat lainnya.

Alergen yang dapat mencetuskan biduran banyak macamnya, bisa makanan tertentu, obat-obatan, gigitan serangga, cuaca (hawa dingin atau panas), assesoris seperti arloji, gelang, cincin, dan lain-lain. Walaupun demikian, setiap penderita biduran mempunyai jenis alergen masing-masing, misalnya terhadap udang saja, terhadap daging ayam saja, terhadap bahan karet, dan sebagainya.

Pada biduran ringan, gejala biasanya hilang sendiri tanpa pengobatan. Lain halnya jika biduran cukup berat, dibutuhkan obat minum untuk mengatasinya. Obat yang digunakan antara lain antihistamin (CTM, difenhidramin, setirizin, loratadin, interhistin, dll) atau kombinasi antihistamin dengan kortikosteroid misalnya alegi, dextafen, dexteem, dll. Setelah mengkonsumsi obat ini, umumnya gejala biduran segera hilang, tapi bukan berarti sembuh sempurna. Di lain waktu, jika terpapar alergen lagi, biduran akan muncul kembali.

Cara terbaik untuk mencegah kambuhnya biduran adalah dengan menghindari paparan alergen. Untuk itu, langkah pertama adalah mengenali bahan atau hal apa saja yang dapat memicu biduran, kemudian menghindarinya selamanya. Masalahnya, pada beberapa orang sering kali biang alergen sulit diketahui. Selain itu, ada beberapa jenis alergen yang memang sulit dihindari, misalnya hawa dingin. Untuk kasus seperti ini, sebaiknya selalu membawa obat antialergi sebagai antisipasi jika biduran menyerang.
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