What is Hives?

Urticaria, more commonly known as Hives, is most often the sign of an allergic reaction although the exact cause is frequently unknown. When triggered, Hives develop primarily as the result of certain cells in your body releasing histamine. This secretion of histamine traps fluid under your skin and this buildup causes the outbreak of Hives. Your skin will appear blotchy or affected with localized pink or red bumps or welts in small patches or large outbreaks (then called Angioedema). This visually perceived redness (called “wheals”) can be accompanied by itching, swelling, and burning or stinging sensations. Hives can last for a few minutes or hours and then disappear or last for weeks or months at a time, depending upon the method of treatment.

Hives Symptoms

There are 2 types of Hives: Acute (lasting from minutes to a few weeks) and Chronic (lasting for months to years). There is no visual difference between the two. The most common symptoms of Hives are localized reddening, itching, and swelling of your skin. Your Hives can appear round or flat in formation but will always be raised above the surrounding skin. Although broken or scabbing skin is not a direct symptom of Hives, it can result from scratching the affected area. Heat can also cause your Hives to worsen and spread. In extreme cases, your airways can swell, causing wheezing and respiratory distress, or even hindering your ability to breathe at all.

What Causes Hives?

Hives can remain dormant in your system, only becoming symptomatic under certain circumstances (such as particular times of day, types of weather, or during times of emotional distress). There are a number of factors, naturally varying from person to person, that can serve to trigger or further aggravate your Hives. Unfortunately, most people never pinpoint the cause of their Hives. Some possible causes are:

If you know what causes your Hives, you can potentially prevent an outbreak by avoiding the source of your problem. Unfortunately, most people never identify the exact cause of their Hives.

Diagnosis

Hives are basically identified upon visual inspection. It is important to note, however, that Hives are often misdiagnosed as insect bites or other types of skin rashes. Additional methods of diagnosis may include:

• Consideration of your medical history
• Allergy tests, like the skin prick
• Changing your diet (if you suspect a certain food is the cause)

Myths and Facts

FACT: Hives is one of the common symptoms of a food allergy.

MYTH: Hives must be treated with an anti-histamine shot. In fact, Hives are most commonly treated with oral medications.

MYTH: Hives are contagious.

FACT: Hives themselves are not contagious but certain conditions related to your Hives outbreak (viruses, bacteria, or parasites) can be contagious.

FACT: Hives is commonly mistaken for other types of skin rashes, such a Poison Ivy or heat rash.

MYTH: Stress causes Hives.

FACT: Although it is never the direct cause, anxiety can perpetuate a Hives outbreak. For that reason, relaxation techniques like yoga or simple breathing exercise may prove helpful in controlling your symptoms.

FACT: About 50% of children who experience Hives will outgrow the condition within a year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is at risk of developing Hives?
It is believed that every 1 in 6 people will experience a Hives outbreak at some point in their life. If you have a family history of Hives, you are also at higher risk. In addition, although the reason is unknown, girls tend to be more susceptible to developing Hives than boys.

Where can I go for Information on Hives?
The internet is a great source for information on Hives but why spend hours searching when DermaTechRx™ can provide you with all the same information? Our informational eGuide is full of answers, suggestions and tips that we've collected from books, articles, customers and numerous other sources. If you sign up to receive our Free Hives Reports, we'll send all this information directly to your inbox. Still have questions? Call our customer service department and our professionals will do their very best to find the answers that you need. We’re here to help you!

How can Hives be prevented?
Hives may be prevented by correctly identifying the cause and avoiding it. It has also been suggested that, after a flare-up of Hives, you do not wear tight-fitting clothing and avoid immersing yourself in hot water since these things can cause the Hives to reappear.

Can stress cause Hives?
Stress doesn't actually cause Hives but it can trigger a flare-up, or make an existing condition worse. Feelings, like anger and frustration, can also aggravate Hives. Since emotional stress can aggravate the condition, patients with Hives may find that techniques in stress management and relaxation can decrease their chances of having flare-ups.

Is Hives contagious?
No.

What research is being done?
The Clinical Research Center at UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Brunswick (http://rwjms.umdnj.edu/research/index.htm) is currently conducting a study on Chronic Hives. The study will last approximately 5-6 weeks and include volunteer participants 12 years and older who have been diagnosed with chronic idiopathic urticaria. Results are forthcoming.

Also, a new once-daily antihistamine has been approved by the FDA for treatment of chronic Hives in people 6 years and older (view). Clinical testing of the drug Xyzal showed that it reduced the severity of itching and minimized blotchiness but carries side effects like drowsiness and nasal inflammation. Moreover, people with impaired kidney function are advised not to take this drug.

Are your products safe?
YES, our All Stop™ ProEcza™ is NON–TOXIC. It is a topical cream that works to deeply penetrate your skin for fast relief.

Why do you sell Antimicrobials with ProEcza™?
The bacteria Staphylococcus Aureus can be found on most people’s skin. These bacteria seem to bind more readily to skin that is inflamed. This can cause the inflammation to worsen because the bacteria secrete substances called super antigens. These allergy-inducing substances activate the immune cells in the skin, causing them to release substances that further increase inflammation. Controlling the number of these bacteria on the skin can help to control the Hives rash greatly. By removing the bacteria, the rash is much easier to treat.

How long does it take for your products to start working?
ProEcza™ begins working immediately to soothe the itching and heal the rash caused by Hives.

How long should I use the antimicrobial gel and ProEcza™ for?
The course prescribed to treat an infection may last from five days up to two weeks. It is important that you finish the course of anti microbial even if it seems that your Hives have cleared up. Stopping the course early increases the chance that the rash will come back. We recommend that you continue to shower with our All Stop™ Medicated Body Wash as a daily maintenance regimen once you have your Hives under control.

Can your products be used for similar ailments?
Yes, ProEcza can be used to treat a variety of skin compromising ailments, including but not limited to Eczema-Dermatitis, Ringworm, Acne, and Scabies.

If you are having a problem searching for a Hives treatment, DermaTechRx™ Research Center has posted a proven All Stop™ Hives remedy above for children and adults. You can search for All Stop™ or AllStop™ or by going directly to AllStop.com when wanting more information on the name brand.

DermaTechRx™ Research Center took on a large challenge when we made the decision there was a need for a safe non-toxic solution to treat Hives. We dedicated our resources and succeeded a few years ago when we discovered the number-one formula that proved was highly effective for mild to medium Hives AND severe Hives.

More Informational Sites on Hives
http://www.allergycapital.com.au/Pages/urticaria.html

http://www.medicinenet.com/Hives/article.htm

http://dermatology.about.com/cs/Hives/a/Hivescause_2.htm