Hives

What is it?

Hives- itchy, red, raised whelps, often fluid patch patches, appear and disappear
1/4 to 3 inches- last a few minutes to a few days
Develops Normally- after an insect bite or sting
Multiple Hives- in response to a medication, food (grapes with a chemical on them, not washing correctly; eggs, shellfish, nuts), infection, plant allergies, inhaled allergies, stress, cold, sunlight, heat, natural rubber latex, cosmetics as perfumes, eye or liquid makeup

May cause- dizziness, difficulty breathing, wheezing, tightness in the chest, swelling of the face, lips, tongue
Edema- upper airway, respiratory distress

Urticaria- may follow or accompany several viral infections, often mistaken for allergic antibiotic reactions, often seen in children (heredity- angioedema), penicillin in milk, chronic drug ingestion, chronic infection

See your Health Care Provider
See RD for help as needed
See FFF RD on line for help
talk with a Registered Dietitian about food allergies, keep a diary of the food eaten, amount, time, hives or whelps
AVOID- all that cause hives
Apply- cold water compress, often relieve itching, Lanocaine cream, Benadryl orally to relieve itching but may cause downiness, talk with your Physician before taking any medication
Call 911- if spreading of hives after taking a medication, if hives cover most of the body, after 24 hours of home treatment without relief of itching