by Harriet Lee

Created on: April 21, 2010

Nearly a quarter of the population will experience hives at sometime in their lives.  It certainly can be a traumatic and distressing time trying to determine what has caused the hives. Hives are extremely common and are not only caused by allergies.  It is important to find the cause so they can be prevented.  Hives can be bought on by stress, exposure to sunlight, and a sudden change in climate or viral infections.

How to Determine What is Causing Hives:

Keep a small notebook to record happenings.  Date each entry, and write down everything you eat and drink.  Everything you put on your skin should also be recorded along with your washing powder and fabric conditioner type.  Also include time spent outside in the sunshine, and how well you are feeling in yourself.  This all sounds like it will take some time but actually once you get into a routine you will be surprised at how little effort it takes.  Ensure you document any itching or raised skin and areas on the body this is happening to.  You may have to do this for several months to see a pattern, but consistency should do the trick and allow you to eliminate things.

Your doctor will be able to do tests for specific allergies, such as gluten and wheat allergies, amongst others, and they will also be able to look at environmental factors.  However they won’t necessarily be able to get to the cause.  Foods are a common allergy cause of hives, in particular shellfish, nuts and soy products.  When recording, remember to record all foods eaten even those from a restaurant.   Insect stings and bites are also a common cause of hives along with certain medications.

The recommended treatment for hives is antihistamines, these can be bought over the counter, but it is a good idea to speak with the pharmacist before purchasing.  For those with more chronic or severe bout of hives it may be necessary for stronger treatment, and a prescription may be needed from your doctor.

Hives can cause not only physical stress but also emotional.  They can make you feel embarrassed and jolly uncomfortable.  So the best way to steer clear of hives is to determine the cause.  Most cases don’t last long and symptoms clear in a matter of days, but some can last for months, even years.  It is best to find the trigger, so they can be avoided at all cost.

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