About hives, giant
What is hives, giant?
Papular urticaria, usually called hives, is characterized by large numbers of very itchy red bumps (papules) that come and go every few days over a period of a month or so. The bumps are usually between 0.2 and 2 cm. in size and some may develop into fluid-filled blisters (bullae). This condition is usually triggered by allergic reactions to insect bites, sensitivity to drugs, or other environmental causes. In some cases, swelling of the soft tissues of the face, neck, and hands (angioedema) may also occur.
Because it is difficult for children and adults to resist scratching these itchy crusted bumps, the possibility of infection is great and caution must be taken. Papular urticaria may accompany, or even be the first symptom of various viral infections including hepatitis, infectious mononucleosis, or German measles (rubella). Some acute reactions are unexplained, even when recurrent.
What are the symptoms for hives, giant?
The most common symptom of angioedema is Swelling with a red colored Rash beneath the surface of the skin. It may occur in a localized area on or near the feet, hands, eyes, or lips.
In more severe cases, the Swelling can spread to other parts of the body. Angioedema may or may not be accompanied by Swelling and welts on the surface of the skin.
Additional symptoms of angioedema may include abdominal cramping. In rare cases, people with angioedema may experience a swollen throat, hoarseness, and difficulty breathing. Angioedema may or may not itch.
Call 911 or go to an emergency room right away if you’re having trouble breathing. This may be a sign of a serious medical condition that requires prompt treatment.
What are the causes for hives, giant?
Here are several types of hives, including:
Acute urticaria. These are hives that last less than 6 weeks. The most common causes are foods, medications, and infections. Insect bites and diseases may also be responsible.
The most common foods that cause hives are nuts, chocolate, fish, tomatoes, eggs, fresh berries, and milk. Fresh foods cause hives more often than cooked foods. Certain food additives and preservatives may also be to blame.
Drugs that can cause hives include aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen, high bloodpressure drugs (especially ACE inhibitors), or painkillers such as codeine.
Chronic urticaria. These are hives that last more than 6 weeks. The cause is usually harder to identify than those causing acute urticaria. For most people with chronic urticaria, the cause is impossible to find. In some cases, though, the cause may be thyroid disease, hepatitis, infection, or cancer.
Chronic urticaria can also affect organs such as the lungs, muscles, and gastrointestinal tract. Symptoms include shortness of breath, muscle soreness, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Physical urticaria. These hives are caused by something that stimulates the skin -- for example, cold, heat, sun exposure, vibration, pressure, sweating, or exercise. The hives usually occur right where the skin was stimulated and rarely appear elsewhere. Most of the hives appear within 1 hour.
Dermatographism. This is a common form of physical urticaria where hives form after firmly stroking or scratching the skin. These hives can also occur along with other forms of urticaria.
Contact dermatitis is a painful or itchy rash you get after your skin touches something you're allergic to (allergic contact dermatitis) or that's otherwise irritating to your skin (irritant contact dermatitis). It's not the same as hives. But sometimes people with contact dermatitis also get hives after they come into contact with an allergen.
What are the treatments for hives, giant?
People with mild symptoms of angioedema may not need treatment. However, those with moderate or severe symptoms may require certain medications to help relieve intense swelling. These medications can include:
- epinephrine, if due to acute allergic reaction
- antihistamines, such as loratadine and cetirizine, if due to an allergic reaction or angioedema where the cause is unknown
- glucocorticosteroid, such as prednisone or Solu-Medrol, if due to acute allergic reaction
Treatment options available specifically for hereditary or acquired angioedema include the following:
- purified human C1 esterase inhibitor
- fresh frozen plasma
- ecallantide
- icatibant
It should be noted that fresh frozen plasma treatment isn’t approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for this purpose and is used off-label.
Certain home remedies may also help relieve symptoms. These include:
- applying cool, wet compresses to help soothe the skin and prevent scratching
- wearing loose cotton clothing to avoid further skin irritation
If a medication is causing you to have angioedema, your doctor may have you switch a different one.
What are the risk factors for hives, giant?
Certain factors can increase your risk of developing angioedema. These include:
- a previous occurrence of angioedema or hives
- a previous allergic reaction
- a family history of angioedema or hives
- sudden temperature changes
- stress or anxiety
- certain medical conditions
Is there a cure/medications for hives, giant?
Angioedema or Hives is usually treated by avoiding known triggers to the allergic reaction.
The prescription drugs for the treatments of hives and angioedema may include:
- Antihistamines: It is the standard treatment for hives and angioedema. These medications reduce itching, swelling and other allergy symptoms.
- Drugs that suppress the immune system: Drugs that can calm an overactive immune system will be prescribed if antihistamines are not effective.
- Drugs for hereditary angioedema: If you come from a family history of angioedema, you may take medication to relieve symptoms and keep certain proteins in your blood at levels that do not cause symptoms.
- Anti-inflammatory drugs: In case of severe hives or angioedema, doctors may prescribe a short course of oral corticosteroid drugs. Corticosteroids in the form of tablets, injections, inhalers and topical gels and creams can be used to relieve the swelling.
- Medications like Benadryl, Claritin, Allegra and Cetirizine are also prescribed.
Symptoms
Welts that form in minutes to hours, Extreme tiredness,Tingling of the skin,Hoarse voice,Itchy skin,Swelling of the face, hands and feet,Swelling of GI tract causing nausea, vomiting, pain, diarrhea,Swelling of the throat or airway causing pain, trouble swallowing,Difficulty breathing,Noisy breathing
Conditions
Swelling with a red-colored rash beneath the surface of the skin,Swelling on or near the feet, hands, eyes, or lips,In severe cases, the swelling may include abdominal cramping and can spread to other parts of the body,In rare cases, people with angioedema may experience a swollen throat, hoarseness, and difficulty breathing
Drugs
Antihistamines Benadryl, Claritin -loratadine, Allegra -fexofenadine and Zyrtec -cetirizine,H2 antihistamines Tagamet -cimetidine, Pepcid -famotidine and Zantac -ranitidine,In some cases, oral steroids such as prednisone,Injectable medication called omalizumab -Xolair,Cyclosporine -Restasis, light therapies like narrowband UVB phototherapy and vitamin D supplementation can help,1 esterase inhibitors- Cinryze, Haegarda,Bradykinin B2-receptor antagonists,Icatibant- Firazyr blocks bradykinin,Plasma kallikrein inhibitors- Ecallantide- Kalbitor.
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