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Sun allergies are so common in their occurrence, that most people don’t even realize that the rash they have is caused due to excessive exposure to the sun. Read on to know more about its symptoms and treatment. 

A sun allergy is a reaction of the immune system, caused by sensitivity due to sunlight, and is known as photosensitivity. They occur when the sun-exposed skin reacts abnormally to sunlight. Scientist are still not able to understand the exact reason for its occurrence, though some research indicates inheritance as one of its reasons. The most common explanation is that the immune system treats the sun-altered skin as foreign substances and activates its defensive mechanism against it, causing allergic reactions.

Sun Allergies: Symptoms and Treatment
There are mainly four types of sun allergies. Sun allergy symptoms and treatments depend on the type of sun allergy. Following are the types, its symptoms and treatments.

Polymorphous Light Eruption (PMLE)
PMLE symptoms are an itchy or burning skin rash, as red plaques or small fluid-filled blisters, that can bleed on rupture, on the sun-exposed skin. It occurs within a couple of hours after sun-exposure and at times maybe accompanied by chills, headache or nausea. It usually occurs on exposed portions of the neck, upper chest, arms and lower legs. They tend to disappear on their own in a couple of days, but for some people it keeps re-occurring every spring and summer, resulting in a decrease in the skin’s sensitivity to sunlight.

A mild reaction can be treated using a cold compress application or spaying the skin with cold water in frequent intervals. A more severe or hardened allergy is treated through medications such as an oral antihistamine, like diphenhydramine or chlorpheniramine, or any anti-rash skin cream containing cortisone. For extreme cases, doctors usually prescribe photo therapy treatment, where the skin is gradually exposed to ultraviolet light (UV), in small and frequent doses to build skin resistance to the sun. Sometimes, a combination of psoralen and ultraviolet light, antimalarial drugs or beta-carotene tablets are also used for treating PMLE sun allergy.

Actinic Prurigo
This form of sun allergy is an inherited form of PMLE. As its nature is inheritable, it begins early in life during childhood or adolescence. They share similar symptoms as PMLE form, but the rash occurs more on the face, than any other place. It re-occurs in spring and summer, while in tropical climates it persists round the year. Actinic prurigo sun allergy is treated using medications that include corticosteroids, thalidomide, antimalarial drugs, beta-carotene and UV, depending on the severity of the allergy.

Photoallergic Eruption
When the skin is exposed to sun, at times it reacts to the chemical component or substance present in the application used on the skin, such as sunscreen, fragrances, cosmetics or ointments and even to some prescribed drugs. The skin reacts and produces tiny red rashes or fluid-filled blisters. It may also spread through clothing, that covers the infected area. Most of the times, these symptoms present themselves after 2 to 3 days of sun exposure. The duration of photo allergic eruption, depends on the duration of the particular chemical substance used. The most common treatment prescribed by the doctor other than corticosteroid cream, is to find and eliminate the allergy causing products.

Solar Urticaria
This rare form of allergy is considered to be the only true form of sun allergy. It produces hives on the affected parts of the skin. It exhibits symptoms within minutes of exposure to sunlight, and if the hives are formed individually, they fade away within a couple of hours. It is treated as per its severity. For mild allergies, oral antihistamine or an anti-itch skin cream, containing cortisone is prescribed. For severe symptoms, a combination of psoralen and ultraviolet light, antimalarial drugs or beta-carotene tablets are used for its treatment.

Some over the counter medications like Vitamin E, Aloe Vera and quercitin (flavonoids) can prove to be helpful in treating and healing sun allergies. Besides these, preventive measures like using a good quality and high SPF sunscreen, and sun protection gear, should be used regularly. Exposure to sunlight cannot be avoided, but a few simple preventions taken, can save us the agony of dealing with sunburns and rashes.

By Loveleena Rajeev

Pictures of urticaria pigmentosa

HuKe with hosted by TV hits, more and more people are fascinated by the pretty talented. Recently received the sport is invited, journal of its vast became. 

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Solar urticaria is a type of chronic hives called physical urticaria because the hives are caused by a certain stimulus on the body.

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What is Hives: The skin becomes covered with pinkish or red bumps or swollen areas of skin. Sometimes they itch real bad, and at othertimes they don’t. You can get hives over most of your body, or sometimes just on your stomach, or arms. The medical name for hives is urticaria.

What causes Hives: Hives are usualy caused by being allergic to something. But they can occur when a person is exposed to anything that causes his body to release histamine. Releasing histamine causes liquid to leak from blood vessels under the skin. When this fluid collects or ‘pools’ together it creates the bumps that are called ‘hives’.

My daughter and I both have had hives, and we both got them from the same reasons, we were allergic to medications given for other illnesses. I got hives from taking penicillian, even though I took penicillian most of my life with no side effects, I now find myself very allergic to it. My daughter got hives from taking ‘Ceclore’, a prescription antibiotic, for an ear infection. You can also get hives from insect bites and stings and from allergic reactions to eating fish, shellfish, nuts, and eggs. Strangely, you can eat a food item all your life, then suddenly develop an allergy to it, like I did to the medication Penicillian.

Treatment for Hives: When my daughter and I both developed hives from medicine allergies, we were given Benadryl, and stopped taking the medicines that caused the hives to first appear, in a day or two they were gone. They are usually treated with an antihistamine or the prescription medicine Atarax.

There is a website that provides cures, facts and other great information on Hives and numerous medical conditions, the website is called: All About Health, and can be found at this url: http://www.rb59.com/medical-health-info

Copyright 2007 By Robert W. Benjamin

Robert W. Benjamin has been in the software business on the internet for over 5 years, and has been producing low-cost software for the past 25+ years. He first released products on the AMIGA and C64 computer systems in the late 1970′s-80′s. Stop The Fleas

By Robert Benjamin

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The principle of the elimination diet is to exclude all foods, except hypo-allergenic foods, for at least two weeks. During this time, the only liquid allowed is spring water, filtered tap water or distilled water. The foods should be cooked in such a way that no other agents, such as butter or oil, are used. In other words, the meat should be grilled and the vegetables steamed, or eaten raw. It is absolutely essential not to use salt, herbs, condiments, garnishes or any additive, which would, in effect, introduce further foods, thus destroying the hypo-allergenic safety of the diet.

Initially it is hard on the taste buds, and those with masked food allergies will suffer from cravings for their favorite foods. However, perseverance is worthwhile, because at the end of two weeks, allergic people following this plan will generally feel better than they have felt in a long time. The reason is that the body has a chance to rid itself of all the accumulated toxins that have been overloading the system for so long. In addition, the safe foods do not leave allergy-caused toxins behind, resulting in the body being clean and free.

It is absolutely essential that nothing else be taken, or eaten, during this time. Medication should be avoided if possible, so consult your doctor first if necessary. In some cases you will feel so good after a few days, that you may be able to reduce some forms of medication, under your doctor’s supervision, or even dispense with it entirely. Vitamin and mineral supplements are not necessary during this time. They will simply negate the whole exercise by introducing toxic substances in the form of fillers, flavorings and colorings.

After a few days, you will find that it is not necessary to think in terms of three meals per day. It will be easier to miss meals and, perhaps, fast for a day or two as your body ceases to crave for allergenic foods. Remember, it is not necessary to eat much at all during the two weeks. The basic elimination diet is simply an alternative to direct fasting for people who feel that they must eat something. The more load you can take off the body during this time, the better.

After two weeks, the challenging process begins. By this time, the body has eliminated accumulated toxins and allergenic matter. Thus, if an allergenic food is now introduced, the resultant reaction can be attributed to that food, without the fear of other foods masking the reaction. As the whole purpose of the exercise is to detect the foods that are making you ill, the first thing to do is to start introducing, on a daily basis, foods known to be allergenic.

Only one new food should be tried each day and this should be eaten, if possible, as a complete meal, or alternatively, eaten with food to which you are not allergic. It is important not to eat composite foods, because if a reaction occurs, you will not know which food has caused it. A diary should be kept, noting the symptoms, how long after eating they occurred, how long they lasted and grading them on a scale of one to five for severity. This will be of considerable assistance later, in deciding the foods to which you are most allergic.

Symptoms may vary considerably. As the body is now clean, they will be easily recognizable and may develop almost immediately, or take up to twenty-four hours. Normally, however, they should become obvious, within the first two hours, after eating the food.

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Part One of this series described the biological process involved in most allergic reactions and also the severity and types of most allergy attacks. Part Two describes the many different types of allergies and how families can treat and prevent them.

Hay fever is common and easily controlled.

Hay fever is among the most visible signs of allergies, with sneezing, watery eyes (also called allergic conjunctivitis) and coughing the most common symptoms. Other more severe effects include headache, impaired smell, nasal and chest congestion, and wheezing.

The most common kind of hay fever is actually the condition called rhinitis, an internal inflammation of the mucous membrane inside the nose. Its primary symptoms is the runny nose.

Hay fever is basically an allergy to a variety of seasonal pollens. It gets its name from haying season, which typically lasts from the end of May through the month of June. Most of the pollens that cause hay fever are propelled through the air via wind currents, literally creating an atmosphere conducive to an allergic reaction. It’s considered easy to treat, with dozens of antihistamine and corticosteroid medications available over the counter.

Atopic and Contact Dermatitis are also very common and easily treatable

Atopic dermatitis (also called atopic exzema) routinely appears in conjunction with other allergic reactions such as sneezing and allergic conjunctivitis. It’s marked by swelling or reddening of areas of the skin. However, atopic dermatitis is non-contagious, and symptoms can fade and disappear over time. The symptoms often strongly resemble the outward signs of psoriasis. Atopic dermatitis is very common in children and even many breeds of domesticated dogs.

Allergic contact dermatitis, as the name implies, arises when the skin encounters something to which the body reacts. The infected area develops a rash or irritated surface area some hours after exposure to the allergen. Typical causes include poison oak, poison ivy, and also some chemical detergents and cleansers with a high nickel content.

Atopic and contact dermatitis should not be confused with contact urticaria, in which a strong rash arises immediately after contact but fades almost as quickly.

Preventing Allergies For You and Your Family

Creating an allergy-free environment for yourself and your family takes some technology, a lot of planning, and plenty of awareness. Fortunately, it does not take a lot of money.

Experts recognize that the best way to avoid allergic reactions is simply to avoid the substances and conditions that provoke them. Within the home, this can involve using air purifiers and high performance filters on air conditioning units.

Smoking remains one of the greatest dangers to allergies – especially those in children. Removing smoking altogether from your home and your car will greatly improve their air quality. Pregnant women should never smoke, as this presents myriad dangers to the unborn child.

Evidence suggests that breastfeeding increases a baby’s later susceptibility to allergies and irritants. Breastfeeding as long as possible also helps build the child’s immune system build resistance to respiratory diseases which can contribute to allergies.

Getting Tested for Allergies

Getting yourself and your children tested by an allergist will definitively disclose any airborne, food, and several other allergens to avoid during everyday activities. The tests are quick and mostly free of discomfort. A trained allergist or specialist will prick the skin with a variety of known allergens, testing for a response and monitor the results. They’ll then be able to formulate an "allergy map" describing the severity of any allergies on a scale of one to four.

Skin tests will not work, however, on patients with some kinds of skin disease or for those who have recently taken antihistamine allergy medication.

Various types of treatment medications work for various allergy needs.

The most famous type of allergy medications are long- and short-term antihistamines, which block the production of the histamine substance within the body. Most cause some form of drowsiness, though some do not.

Decongestants also work to prevent many allergy symptoms by shrinking blood vessels along nasal tissues. They’re typically used to reduce congestion that comes with moderate allergy symptoms. Side effects include raised blood pressure, irritability, and even sleeplessness and insomnia.

Combined medications offer much of the benefits of both antihistamines and decongestants. They may also combine side effects, however.

Steroids are especially useful for relieving allergy inflammation that results in many allergy symptoms such as sneezing and watery eyes. They must be taken regularly to have a positive effect, however, and may not show positive results for as long as two weeks. Side effects include weight gain and fluid retention.

Determining which treatments will work best for you and your family

Allergies, especially during the high pollen content months of spring and summer, are a great enough family health concern to consult your family doctor. Medication and removing known allergens from your living environment are important steps, and can be understood as the foundation of a healthier lifestyle.

Pursuing a greater level of respiratory and cardiovascular fitness is also a helpful form of allergy resistance. Improving the strength of these important body systems will help them stave off allergy irritation, reducing the risk of reactions.

Michael Kabel is Senior Staff Writer for http://www.cornerstorkbabygifts.com. Stop by for parenting and baby resources, unique baby gifts, baby gift baskets and baby shower favors.

By Michael Kabel Published: 3/20/2008

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Skin rashes are a common problem most of us deal with some time or the other. Here is an account of some of the common skin rashes.

The term "rash" refers to red eruptions forming on the skin. In fact, most people use this term to describe many kinds of skin conditions. Given below are some of the most common skin rashes:

- Patches of scaly skin with infection not being the underlying cause.

- Patches of scaly skin caused by bacterial or fungus infection.

- Itchy, red patches or bumps all over the skin.

Even though skin rashes are usually not dangerous, it is never a good idea to self-medicate yourself. If you get a rash, you need to get it evaluated by a medical professional. Given below are some common skin rashes which can assist you in categorizing your skin rash.

Patches of scaly skin with infection not being the underlying cause

An itchy and scaly patch of skin usually is indicative of any of the conditions known as eczema.

Dyshidrotic Eczema: This is a common skin rash which is neither contagious nor infectious. It occurs in the hands and/or feet. Usually people who sweat profusely in these areas get this type of eczema. There is a slight amount of scaling and sometimes even cracking in the affected area. In severe cases, small, watery blisters erupt on the fingers, palms, toes and soles, which appear and disappear. There could be itching, pain and even secondary infections. If the skin around the nails is affected, the nails can get disfigured. When this condition occurs in the feet, it is often mistaken for a fungal infection. The condition can become worse if it is treated as a fungus.

Atopic Dermatitis: This is one of the most common types of eczema. The term "dermatitis" refers to skin inflammation, while "atopic" denotes hereditary diseases. This problem usually starts in childhood, manifesting as scaly patches on the legs, arms, torso, and the scalp, along with chapping in the cheeks. Atopic Dermatitis may also spread to the inner parts of the elbows and knees. When adults get it, it affects the area around the eyelids, hands, genitals, and sometimes even all over the body. When this condition occurs, the skin gets inflamed and very itchy which usually results in swelling, redness, and cracking. This condition appears and disappears for no apparent reason. It often is at its worst during the winter months, when the air is dry and cold.

Contact Dermatitis: This is a rash that is caused by the skin coming in contact with some substance which it is allergic to, such as costume jewelry that contains nickel and poison ivy. Only that part of the skin that comes in contact with the substance is affected in Contact Dermatitis.

There are a number of other scaly rashes, such as psoriasis, which is a hereditary condition that mainly affects the elbows and the knees, and sometimes even other parts of the body, and Pityriasis Rosea, which causes scaly patches on the back and the chest and usually subsides in a month or so. Xerosis, which causes extreme dryness, cracking, roughness and scaly skin, manifests itself during the dry, cold winter months.

Patches of scaly skin caused by bacterial or fungus infection.

When infections are manifested as rashes, they are usually caused by bacterial or fungus infections.

Bacterial Infections: Impetigo is the most common type of bacterial infection that affects the skin. It is caused by the streptococcus or the staphylococcus bacteria and usually occurs in children. Its symptoms include localized redness developing into blisters that gradually turn into crusts which erode after a while.

Fungal Infections: Although fungal infections are quite common, they do not occur as often as eczema rashes. One of the most common errors made by people is to mistake scaly rashes for a fungal infection. For instance, a person with scaly spots on the torso, legs, or arm is far more likely to have some type of eczema rather than "ringworm", which is the common term for fungus.

Itchy, red patches or bumps all over the skin.

This kind of an outbreak is usually due to an allergy or caused by a virus.

Viral Rash: While viral infections associated with the skin, such as shingles or herpes, usually occur in a localized part of the body, viral rashes can occur all over the body. People who get these rashes may also be affected by the other symptoms of a viral infection like sneezing, coughing, nausea or an upset stomach. This kind of a rash usually lasts for a few days and subsides on its own.

Allergic Drug Rash: Usually, an allergic drug rash manifests itself within a couple of weeks of using a new drug, especially if it has never been taken before. The usual treatment is to stop the drug immediately to see if the rash subsides.

Some Other Rashes

Rosacea: This is a chronic condition that affects the face and usually occurs in middle-aged people. Its symptoms are dilation in the superficial blood vessels which results in redness of the skin, sometimes accompanied by red pimples or pimples filled with pus. At times rhinophyma, or an overgrowth on the nose due to the enlargement of the sebaceous glands, can also occur. Rosacea can also affect the eyes manifesting itself as blepharitis, or an inflammation of the eyelids resulting in swelling and redness, accompanied by the formation of dried crusts, or conjunctivitis. It is not understood yet what causes Rosacea. The condition may worsen with time, and usually there is no remission.

Hives: Also known as Urticaria, is characterized by an itchy eruption of the skin, with weals appearing which have pale interiors and red margins. These are not known to be caused due to an allergy, run their course, and subside by themselves.

By Rita Putatunda Published: 9/12/2007

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What is Hives: The skin becomes covered with pinkish or red bumps or swollen areas of skin. Sometimes they itch real bad, and at othertimes they don’t. You can get hives over most of your body, or sometimes just on your stomach, or arms. The medical name for hives is urticaria.

What causes Hives: Hives are usualy caused by being allergic to something. But they can occur when a person is exposed to anything that causes his body to release histamine. Releasing histamine causes liquid to leak from blood vessels under the skin. When this fluid collects or ‘pools’ together it creates the bumps that are called ‘hives’.

My daughter and I both have had hives, and we both got them from the same reasons, we were allergic to medications given for other illnesses. I got hives from taking penicillian, even though I took penicillian most of my life with no side effects, I now find myself very allergic to it. My daughter got hives from taking ‘Ceclore’, a prescription antibiotic, for an ear infection. You can also get hives from insect bites and stings and from allergic reactions to eating fish, shellfish, nuts, and eggs. Strangely, you can eat a food item all your life, then suddenly develop an allergy to it, like I did to the medication Penicillian.

Treatment for Hives: When my daughter and I both developed hives from medicine allergies, we were given Benadryl, and stopped taking the medicines that caused the hives to first appear, in a day or two they were gone. They are usually treated with an antihistamine or the prescription medicine Atarax.

There is a website that provides cures, facts and other great information on Hives and numerous medical conditions, the website is called: All About Health, and can be found at this url: http://www.rb59.com/medical-health-info

Copyright 2007 By Robert W. Benjamin

By Robert Benjamin
Published: 3/14/2007

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Hives is an allergic immune reaction developed like a skin rash in response to environmental allergens. Skin is an important organ of immunity that acts as defense barrier to factors perceived as toxic whether internal or external. Generally chronic hives do not lead to complications and shouldn’t be a major concern as its an allergic reaction produced to something that would otherwise be non-toxic.

Symptoms of Urticaria

Raised warm itchy areas on the skin can describe all forms of urticaria. Non-contagious rash may appear suddenly on any part of the body, last for few hours and disappear. Symptoms tend to increase at night and sleep deprivation may worsen the condition. Bee sting and drug allergy can lead to severe complications like breathlessness and shock in addition to skin problems. Swelling of lips and tongue are some grave signs that would need immediate medical help.

Causes of Urticaria

• Certain foods or newly introduced medicine can produce a surprise allergic reaction. Foods causing allergy could be nuts, seafood, dairy products, tomatoes, berries, eggs or gluten (wheat intolerance)
• Inhaling air borne allergens like dust, pollen and mold
• Stress and altered immunity can be inter-related and though ambiguous are more important factors
• Animal fur, cosmetics and synthetic material
• Insect bite and wasp sting
• Extreme cold or hot climate
• Rise in body temperature due to heat or exercise
• Physical stimulus like pressure or tight clothing
• Viruses may trigger hives
• Illnesses like hepatitis and lupus can cause skin allergies and treatment of the disease relieves the rash
• Hereditary causes of urticaria express themselves in childhood and need to be diagnosed and treated accordingly. Multiple allergens usually complicate the diagnosis

Urticaria Treatment

• Systemic illness needs to be excluded before treating urticaria
• Cold water shower
• Loose-fitting clothing
• Heavy physical exercises should be avoided
• Sunscreens and warm clothing can be used in solar and cold urticaria respectively.
• Identify and eliminate exposure to environmental factors
• Gradual diet elimination is a proven way to detect sensitivities
• Stress reduction by meditation and yoga
• Antiallergics like H1-antihistamines (e.g. Cetrizine) should be preferred due to its non-drowsy effect and can be safely used without side effects or addiction
• Steroids and epinephrine are used in severe cases with anti-histaminics to suppress the immune reaction. Steroids can help in acute attack but aren’t recommended for long-term use.
• Lacto calamine application, milk of magnesia and aloe vera gel can be used as topical creams.
• Dietary supplements and anti-oxidants to increase the immunity.

Living with Urticaria

The probable causes and definite cure has definitely left the specialists too scratching their heads. Recurrent hives in absence of any detectable factor should direct towards stress as the cause. Thus, an effort to identify trigger factors, effective stress management and symptomatic treatment for an unknown duration is the main key to relieve symptoms.

Prevention of Urticaria

Finding out such allergens can actually be an impossible task. Avoid exposure to any food, medicine, or physical agent that could possibly cause the rash. A daily diary can help monitor and diagnose the food allergy. Though emotional and physical stress is unavoidable, it should be dealt with appropriate relaxation therapies like exercise, yoga, meditation and social support groups. Self-evaluation after stress management could help, as it would be difficult to assess stress thresholds and hence stress recovery on the part of the physician.

By Dr. Meenaz M Published: 11/27/2007

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Urticaria (Hives) is a condition which affects up to 22% of the population at different stages of their lives. The condition is known in the medical jargon as Urticaria, and it appears in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, ranging from just a few millimeters to several inches in size. The hives rash is composed of red, itchy areas that bulge out from the skin. Although these are not generally dangerous, they can create a sever annoyance for the hives-struck patient. Urticaria may often be an indication of certain types of allergy which could in itself be hazardous.

Although the cause of urticaria often remains unknown, perhaps the most common cause of urticaria stems from an allergic reaction of the skin. When a patient suffers from allergic reactions, his body releases histamines which are responsible for contracting the blood vessels. As a result, the capillaries are dilated, allowing the fluids to leak freely and absorb in the surrounding tissues. This fluid accumulates in the tissues surrounding the areas, and this stimulates redness, itchiness and the swelling associated with urticaria.

Urticaria may stem from a few various allergens including food, pet fur, mold and pollen. In some patients, urticaria may be triggered by heat, sweating, stress and exposure to sunlight. One should consult a doctor for a proper diagnosis in case the suspicion of uticaria arises. The doctor can also provide advice regarding the causes of Urticaria in a specific patient and about recommended treatment methods.

Since Urticaria are frequently spawned from allergic reactions, antihistamines will usually be the main treatment for urticaria. In more severe cases, the doctor may prescribe oral steroids for short-term use. Alternative treatment methods are comprised of balms, creams and lotions that temporarily neutralize the nerve endings under the top layer of the skin and assist relieving the itchiness. Other treatment options are available without a prescription, which were shown to be extremely effective.

Author: Carl S. Thompson

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Chronic urticaria is an allergic skin rash that lasts longer than six weeks. Also referred to as hives or a nettle rash, urticaria is most often brought on by an allergy to pets, latex, a bee or insect sting, medicine or foods. The rash is composed of round or oval bumps on the skin, sometimes red in color and often itchy. They are caused by a release of histamines in the skin which causes the small blood vessels near the skin’s surface to leak fluid. It is this fluid that causes the irritation and swelling consistent with hives.

The best way to treat chronic urticaria hives is to treat the itching, as scratching the rash will only prolong and exacerbate the hive outbreak. Calamine lotion is a proven way to soothe the skin and decrease itching. Antihistamines taken orally or applied topically are among the most widespread treatment options for such skin rashes. There is also a wide variety of herbs that can impair histamine production, speeding the recovery time and minimizing itchiness. These include Paeonia and Forsythia extract, which can be found in a variety of dietary supplements. Lotions containing green tea have shown antihistamine properties, and their application on rashes will soothe and relieve itchy skin.

Cholinergic urticaria are hives that are caused by profuse sweating, usually in response to overheating of the body because of exercise. The hives are generally small, ranging from 2 mm to 3mm and are often restricted to the upper torso and arms, although sometimes these hives have been found as low as the thighs. These urticaria hives develop quickly after a rise in body temperature, usually appearing within twenty minutes of increased internal temperature.

These hives are most often noted as a result of exercise or stress, and usually dissipate on their own within thirty minutes. The most severe incidents are sometimes accompanied by headaches, shortness of breath, lightheadedness and abdominal cramps. The best way to treat cholinergic urticaria is to cool the body down, by simply resting in a cool area, taking a cool shower, or drinking copious amounts of water.

Sometimes urticaria hives are not brought on by an allergic reaction. These can be triggered by extreme temperatures, acute stress, prolonged exposure to sunlight or a sudden increase in body temperature due to exercise or climate. By reducing daily stress and physical exertion, urticaria hives can be minimized and chronic urticaria can dissipate. Keeping the body hydrated is an important component to keeping it cool, and this can help prevent urticaria hives. Identifying and preventing the cause of urticaria is the most important step to keeping the number and intensity of chronic urticaria incidents to a minimum.

If you find yourself breaking out in hives and think that you may have chronic urticaria or cholinergic urticaria, you should call your doctor, especially if you have just started taking a new medication or were stung by a bee or other insect.

br /> Author: Scott LeRoy

Scott LeRoy has been studying prescription and OTC medications as well as natural remedies for over a dozen years. He is a regular contributor to Skin Diseases, a section of Skin Conditions dedicated to conventional and alternative treatments of various conditions.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Scott_LeRoy

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