Hives: How Do I Deal With It?

I have  a chronic allergic condition known as HIVES,  have been trying without any effect to narrow down the cause of  its sudden outbreaks but to no avail, living in Nigeria its almost impossible to streamline the reactants. So i need help on any way to remove the old scares before a new outbreak because it leaves black patches especially since it recently started extending to my face. Opinions and suggestions will be appreciated.

Medical professionals refer to hives as urticaria

HIVES is the Itchy, swollen, red bumps or patches on the skin that appear suddenly as a result of the body’s adverse reaction to certain allergens. They can appear anywhere on the body including the face, lips, tongue, throat or ears. Hives vary in size and can last for minutes or days.


Causes of Hives
Ingestion or Inhalation
When the source of hives can be determined, most cases are caused by ingestion of a substance. Drugs can suddenly cause hives even if the person has been taking them for years. Many foods or food additives can also cause hives suddenly, even in small amounts. I am including inhaled allergens under ingestion because these are foreign substances that are taken into the body.

Some of the more common triggers are the following:


Infections such as viral illnesses, especially in children


Allergies to food, medications, cosmetics, soaps, and detergents


Insect stings and bites


Transfusions of blood or blood products


Emotional and physical stress


Physical agents such as sunlight, heat, cold, water, or pressure



If I may Ask Vie is there any one in your family that experiences same, this may be one of the risk factor.


Treatment of Hives
Treatment may not be needed if hives are mild -- they will go away on their own. Antihistamines may reduce inflammation, itching, and swelling.

Try as much as possible to avoid direct sunlight
Prevent undue delayed pressure: reaction to standing for long periods, bra-straps and belts
Watch the kind of Cream and soap you use (cosmetics).
Watchout for chronic cold: ice, cold air and water
Use Antibacterial and antiseptic such as dettol in your bath water

Avoid common allergns such as:
Drugs
Penicillin
Aspirin
Sulfa antibiotics
Morphine
Codeine
Polymyxin
Dextran
Curare
Quinine
Diuretics

Foods
Fish
Shellfish
Nuts
Eggs
Chocolate
Strawberries
Tomatoes
Pork
Cow's milk
Cheese
Wheat
Yeast
Citrus fruits

Food Additives

Salicylates
Tartrazine (a dye)
Benzoate
Penicillin
Sulfites
Inhaled Allergens


Pollen
Mold Spores
Animal dander
House dust

I hope my epistle will help you - Anyway am waiting for my consultancy fee