Commonly known as hives, urticaria is one of the most common dermatological conditions seen by allergists. Urticaria is not just an allergic disease, however. It can be caused by metabolic diseases, medications, infectious diseases, autoimmune disease, or physical sensitivity. Traditional allergies to foods or medications as well as viral illness are frequent causes of acute urticaria which usually lasts only a few hours but may last up to 6 weeks. Chronic urticaria (lasting more than 6 weeks) is more complex, given the vast number of potential triggers. Symptoms include sudden onset; initial itching; then swelling of the surface of the skin into red or skin-colored welts (wheals) with clearly defined edges; welts turn white on touching; new welts develop when the skin is scratched; usually disappear within minutes or hours. Welts enlarge, change shape, spread or join together to form large flat raised areas. Also: Hives

	Allergic Rhinitis / Hay Fever The Condition "...Signs & Symptoms Symptoms often vary with the seasons and include ... Skin rashes or hives..." Recommendation Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) "...5mg) and niacinamide (10mg) when given in combination for the treatment of hay fever, hives, allergic headaches and poison oak dermatitis produced significant symptomatic relief when 1-3 tablets were taken four times/day in milder cases and up to 6 tablets 4-6 times/day in more severe..." Aspartame (Nutrasweet) Avoidance As A Treatment "...phobias, rapid heart beat (tachycardia - another frequent reaction), asthma, chest pains, hypertension (high blood pressure), nausea or vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, swallowing pain, itching, hives / urticaria, other allergic reactions, blood sugar control problems (e..." Bioflavonoid Need Recommendation Bioflavonoids "...No side-effects have been linked to the flavonoids except for catechin, which can occasionally cause reversible fever, hives and anemia from the breakdown of red blood cells..." Giardiasis Infection The Condition "...Less common symptoms include low-grade fever, chills, headaches, urticaria, and polyarthritis..." Histamine Related Topic "...It is released in allergic reactions and causes widening of capillaries, decreased blood pressure, increased release of gastric juice, fluid leakage forming itchy skin and hives, and tightening of smooth muscles of the bronchial tube and uterus..." Hives The Condition "Hives - also called urticaria - are localized, raised red areas in the superficial portion of the skin that may join together to form larger lesions..." Relationship to Autoimmune Tendency "Some forms of chronic hives have an autoimmune origin which means, in about 30% of patients, that the immune system is producing antibodies against normal substances in the body and triggering the release of histamine by..." Relationship to Chronic Thyroiditis "Amongst patients with chronic hives and either treated hypothyroidism or a normally functioning thyroid gland, it is reasonable to test for anti-thyroid antibodies..." Relationship to Allergy to Foods (Hidden) "Foods and drugs are common causes of hives..." Recommendation L-Tyrosine "...5mg) and niacinamide (10mg) when given in combination for the treatment of hay fever, hives, allergic headaches and poison oak dermatitis produced significant symptomatic relief when 1-3 tablets were taken four times per day in milder cases and up to 6 tablets 4-6 times per day in more..." Recommendation Thyroid Medications "A study suggests that administration of thyroxine to patients with chronic urticaria associated with elevated thyroid antibodies can result in remission of the hives..." Recommendation Hydrochloric Acid (Trial) "Lack of hydrochloric acid (HCl) secretion by the stomach has been linked to chronic hives probably as a result of increasing the likelihood of developing food allergies..." Recommendation Test for Food Allergies "...clinical studies demonstrate that diets that are free of foods or food additives that commonly trigger allergic reactions typically produce significant reductions in 50-75% of people with chronic hives..." Recommendation Vitamin B12 (Cobalamine) "Vitamin B12 injections, at least 1000mcg weekly, has been reported to reduce the frequency and severity of urticaria in chronic cases..." Recommendation Conventional Drug Use "For many patients with hives of unknown cause, treatment with antihistamines is effective..." Recommendation Vitamin Niacinamide "...See Hives/Tyrosine note..." Recommendation Bioflavonoids "...This suggests an as yet unproven preventative effect in managing hives..." Recommendation Food Additive Avoidance "Food additives that have been shown to trigger hives include colorants (azo dyes), flavorings (salicylates), artificial sweeteners (aspartame), preservatives (benzoates, nitrites, sorbic acid), antioxidants (hydroxytoluene, sulfite, gallate), and..." Recommendation Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) "...See Hives/Tyrosine note..." Recommendation Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) "High doses of vitamin C, such as mineral ascorbates, can help those with hives by lowering histamine levels..." Lactose Intolerance The Condition "...People with a true milk allergy suffer both the intestinal and systemic symptoms and may have problems including nasal congesting, headache, urinary frequency, hives and protein loss in the urine..." Meyer's Cocktail As A Treatment "...Reasons For Use The "cocktail" is indicated for chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, depression, muscle spasm, asthma, hives, allergic rhinitis, congestive heart failure, angina, ischemic vascular disease, acute infections, and senile dementia..." Migraine/Tension Headaches Recommendation Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) "...5mg) and niacinamide (10mg) when given in combination for the treatment of hay fever, hives, allergic headaches and poison oak dermatitis produced significant symptomatic relief when 1-3 tablets were taken four times/day in milder cases and up to 6 tablets 4-6 times/day in more severe..." Parsley As A Treatment "...Your medicine may be causing these symptoms which may mean you are allergic to it ... Skin hives, rash, or itchy or swollen skin..." Semen Allergy The Condition "...The systemic reactions can include generalized itching, hives, angioedema, wheezing, and in very rare cases anaphylaxis..." Senna As A Treatment "...and seek emergency medical attention if you experience symptoms of a serious allergic reaction including difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives..." Sinusitis Recommendation Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine) "...5mg) and niacinamide (10mg) when given in combination for the treatment of hay fever, hives, allergic headaches and poison oak dermatitis produced significant symptomatic relief when 1-3 tablets were taken four times/day in milder cases and up to 6 tablets 4-6 times/day in more severe..." Strongyloides stercoralis Related Topic "...These parasites are found in hot, humid areas and usually produce no symptoms although there may be mild skin and abdominal symptoms in few cases; hives (urticaria) is seen usually in the buttocks and wrists; there may me peptic ulcer-like pain aggravated by food intake..." Sulfite Sensitivity Related Topic "...Responses vary; sulfites can also cause chest tightness, nausea, hives, or even anaphalactic shock..." Recommendation Vitamin B12 (Cobalamine) "...In another study, the following conditions responded to B12 use: Intractable asthma - 18 out of 20 patients improved; Chronic urticaria - 9/10 improved; Chronic contact dermatitis - 6/6 improved; Atopic dermatitis - 1/10 greatly improved and 5/10 moderately improved with 1000mcg IM once weekly for 4 weeks..." Vasculitis The Condition "...These are the most common vasculitis skin lesions, but hives, an itchy lumpy rash, and painful or tender lumps can occur..." Yeast / Candida Infection The Condition "...Psychological and Allergic ... Hives..."

Last updated: Jul 26, 2007