WHAT ARE HIVES?
Hives, a condition medically known at “urticaria,” is an inflammation of the skin. An immune reaction releases chemicals like histamine. This causes blood vessels to leak, which causes skin swelling. Acute urticaria lasts less than 6 weeks, often caused by allergies or other triggers.
Chronic urticaria lasts more than 6 weeks. “Experts” generally claim there is no known cause. They may prescribe expensive or dangerous medicines which suppress the symptoms but do not address the underlying cause of the hives. However, my clinical observations show MOST cases of chronic hives are due to undetected sinus infections. We have several hundred patients successfully cured of chronic hives with antibiotics. I published these findings in a respected allergy journal. The misery of hives can usually be eliminated with simple treatment!
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF HIVES?
Red itchy bumps, often with central white area. They can be pinpoint or many inches in diameter. They can appear almost anywhere on the body. They usually stay in one location less than 24 hours, but can later be found on other parts of the body. About 15 % of the time you can also have swelling of your body.
HOW DO YOU DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF HIVES?
For acute hives, sometimes allergy testing to foods or allergens in the air is required. For chronic hives, we obtain a small sample of mucus from your nose, and evaluate for various types of cells. We usually find evidence for bacterial sinusitis even if you have no symptoms.
HOW DO YOU TREAT HIVES?
Avoid any allergic triggers found in your diagnosis. Antihistamines sometimes control the rash and itching. If you have sinusitis induced hives, antibiotics will usually cure the hives. Sometimes we have to try 2 or 3 different antibiotics to kill the bacteria, so be patient.