Chronic Hives and Angiodema



Hives are characterized by batches of raised white or red itchy welts. This condition is also known as urticaria. Hives may appear with various sizes which may disappear and recur again. For some people with hives condition it may be a long-term problem but for some it goes away within a matter of weeks or less.  Chronic hives are hives condition that goes away but comes back frequently and last up to six weeks or more.

The causes of hives are never really clearly distinguished or identified. There are cases where hives are related to an underlying disorder of the autoimmune system which in such cases the body will develop reactions and become allergic to itself.  Lupus, thyroid diseases and other problems are possible links that can cause chronic hives. Even if the underlying causes of these conditions are not usually identified, symptoms can be relieved and reduced by certain treatments. Combination medication of antihistamines works and provides best remedies for many people who are affected by chronic hives.

The usual symptoms of hives are small round welts, large patches or rings in shape which are susceptible to change. They tend to occur in small to large batches, usually very itchy and surrounded by flares of red. Hives that occurs individually may last from four hours to one and a half days. New hives develop as each individual hive disappears. There are about 40% of people who have chronic hives condition that also have angiodema. The symptoms of angiodema are large swellings or welts of the skin and the common affected areas are the hands, feet, eyes, lips, insides of the throat and the genital area.  When the swelling happens in the throat emergency treatment is surely required because the breathing will be obstructed which can be dangerous and fatal. All of the symptoms may not occur at all times. They may also appear and disappear with no apparent trigger factor. For affected people environment such as heat, emotion such as stress and physical exertion and activities may cause the symptoms to get worse.

When mast cells releases histamine and other body chemicals into the bloodstream which causes leakage from the small blood vessels inflammation on the skin occurs that results to chronic hives. The causes of these conditions are not well-understood and the trigger factors are very hard to pinpoint. There was a theory that chronic hives may be caused by the disorder in the autoimmune system which was also linked to other health problems such as blood disorder and thyroid diseases. There are rare times when these conditions are underlying causes of food, insects, parasites, infection or reaction to a certain medication.

After monitoring the symptoms and conduction of several tests in almost 90% of chronic hives cases the causes were never really identified. While there are conducted tests that showed non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, heat and other stimulant to worsen the condition of chronic hives, the sign and the symptoms of the condition may appear and disappear without an apparent trigger factor. Taking oral anti-histamine medications will block the release of histamines that produces the symptoms that helps control the condition for the majority of chronic hives affected people.