Hives News

Swine Flu Facts-V2

Chronic Urticaria is a type of hives that is also called nettle rash.  It unfortunately lasts for more than six weeks. Shorter bouts of hives are considered acute urticaria, and are treated differently.

Urticaria can be a manifestation of many conditions and illnesses, rather than one illness. Current research has shown that up to half of all CU is autoimmune, which means your body is making antibodies against itself, resulting in activation of basophils and mast cells. When these cells are activated, they release many different chemicals, including histamine, which results in hives, and in some people other allergy-like symptoms as well.
Source: http://www.chronichives.com/

CIU stands for chronic idiopathic urticaria. The term idiopathic simply means ‘of unknown cause’. The diagnosis is often made by ruling out known causes, but some causes, like mastocytosis, cannot absolutely be ruled out. You will need to work with your doctor to rule out the things which can be ruled out, to find patterns by keeping a diary, and to find the medicine ‘cocktail’ which works most effectively for you.

Currently about 30-50% of Chronic Hives Sufferers are autoimmune.

Chances of your Chronic Hives being autoimmune:

If you experience any of these, they be signs that your chronic urticaria is autoimmune:

1. You have a personal history of other autoimmune disease
2. Your family has a history of autoimmune disease (not necessarily chronic urticaria)
3. Your mother had endometriosis, and/or if you are a woman, you have had endometriosis
4. You are female
5. You have autoimmune thyroid disease
6. Your symptoms worsen during your monthly cycle (women only)
7. Your symptoms lessen or go into remission during pregnancy
8. You have experienced remissions in the past
9. Symptoms began following an ‘event’ that triggered the immune system, such as accident, illness, surgery, infection, allergic reaction
10. Prior to developing CU you would describe yourself as someone who was rarely ill; and even now you seldom catch colds and flu, even if everyone around you is coughing and sniffling

Source: http://www.chronichives.com/

We wanted to share some important information with you that will aid you in understanding this condition.

“FDA Approves XYZAL(R) (Levocetirizine Dihydrochloride) Tablets For The Relief Of Seasonal And Year Round Allergies, And Chronic Hives”
Article Date: 30 May 2007 – 0:00 PDT

“The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved XYZAL(R) (levocetirizine dihydrochloride), a new once-daily prescription antihistamine that delivers a rapid and long-lasting effect for the relief of symptoms associated with seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis and uncomplicated skin manifestations of chronic idiopathic urticaria in adults and children six years of age and older.” To read more about this new drug, click here.

Yours Truly,

Joseph Marquardt
President, Q-Based Healthcare TM
The Makers of All StopTM Products
Info@qbased.com
Toll Free 1.866.314.8917

Anyone can develop Hives. In fact, it is believed that every 1 in 6 people will experience a Hives outbreak at some point in their life. If you have previously had Hives, have allergies or a family history of Hives, you are at higher risk of developing them. In addition, although the reason is unknown, girls tend to be more susceptible to developing Hives than boys.

Yours Truly,

Joseph Marquardt
President, Q-Based Healthcare TM
The Makers of All StopTM Products
Info@qbased.com
Toll Free 1.866.314.8917

We hope that you are not still suffering from Hives; however, if you are, we wanted to share some important information with you that will aid you in understanding this condition.

Hives have a few key features that may distinguish them from a number of other reactions. The most common identifying characteristics of Hives are:

A well-defined area of swelling, round or flat in formation, but always raised above the surrounding skin
Varying in size from 1-inch to many inches in diameter
Itching
Hives tend to come and go in crops and commonly last for about 24 hours. You may monitor your Hives by circling a spot and then look at it a day later to take note of any changes in size or shape. An occurrence of Hives may clear in a day but can last for much longer. 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.

Yours Truly,

Joseph Marquardt
President, Q-Based Healthcare TM
The Makers of All StopTM Products
Info@qbased.com
Toll Free 1.866.314.8917

There are no instant cures for hives. People generally try various medications until they find a combination that works for them. According to the National Library of Medicine, there are a few things that you can do to reduce discomfort while waiting for your hives to heal:

An over-the-counter antihistamine will help to relieve itching. Your doctor may also prescribe an antihistamine or give you a shot.

Dab calamine lotion on the rash. This will help your skin feel cooler, less irritated, and reduce the itch.

Place a cool compress over your skin to soothe pain, itchiness, and swelling. Try taking a cool oatmeal bath, especially if the hives cover a large portion of your body. Don’t take a hot bath or shower – the hot water may only irritate the skin further.

Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing.

Yours Truly,

Joseph Marquardt
President, Q-Based Healthcare TM
The Makers of All StopTM Products
Info@qbased.com
Toll Free 1.866.314.8917

The best way to prevent Hives is to identify the cause and avoid it, but this is easier said than done since most causes remain unknown. One reason that it is difficult to pinpoint an exact source is because hives are commonly triggered by a combination of factors. One preventive measure that you can take is to keep an antihistamine on-hand and take it the first signs of hives or itching. However, please note that older adults and people with heart disease should check with their doctor before taking any antihistamines.

A few things you can generally avoid to prevent a hives outbreak are:
-Extreme temperature changes (hot showers, cooling down after a workout)
-Alcohol
-Medications like aspirin and other over-the-counter pain medications (Acetaminophen – Tylenol or generic – is usually fine.)
-Stress
-Poor sleep
-Drastic changes in diet (rich restaurant meals, very spicy foods)

Yours Truly,

Joseph Marquardt
President, Q-Based Healthcare TM
The Makers of All StopTM Products
Info@qbased.com
Toll Free 1.866.314.8917

We wanted to share some important information with you that will aid you in understanding this condition.

Hives are often misdiagnosed because they can be caused by an underlying condition or medications. The underlying conditions that may cause hives include food, drug allergies, stress, heat/cold sensitivity, and sweating. As for medications in particular, the most common culprits are aspirin and antibiotics. Side effects of medications, exposure to toxins, chemicals, or other substances may also provoke development of hives. Consequently, they become possible underlying causes of hives but are often misdiagnosed or overlooked as a cause.

For a comprehensive list of medications that can cause hives, click here (http://cureresearch.com/intro/medic.htm)

Yours Truly,

Joseph Marquardt
President, Q-Based Healthcare TM
The Makers of All StopTM Products
Info@qbased.com
Toll Free 1.866.314.8917

The most common prescription antihistamines used to treat Acute Hives are Allegra and Claritin, and both medications carry possible side effects. Allegra may cause nausea, vomiting, weakness, and sleepiness, while Claritin may trigger an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing, closing of the throat, swelling of the lips/tongue/face, or hives), an irregular heartbeat, and seizures. It is interesting to note the irony in the fact that Claritin, which is prescribed to treat Hives, lists Hives as a possible side effect.

As disconcerting as that fact may be, even worse are the side effects associated with the most popular oral corticosteroid, Prednisone. Below is the list of symptoms that you should tell your doctor about it they are severe or do not subside:

• Headache
• Dizziness
• Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
• Inappropriate happiness
• Extreme changes in mood
• Changes in personality
• Bulging eyes
• Acne
• Thin, fragile skin
• Red or purple blotches or lines under the skin
• Slowed healing of cuts and bruises
• Increased hair growth
• Changes in the way fat is spread around the body
• Extreme tiredness
• Weak muscles
• Irregular or absent menstrual periods
• Decreased sexual desire
• Heartburn
• Increased sweating

In addition to the above side effects, you should call your doctor immediately if, while taking Prednisone, you experience:

• Vision problems
• Eye pain, redness, or tearing
• Sore throat, fever, chills, cough, or other signs of infection
• Seizures
• Depression
• Loss of contact with reality
• Confusion
• Muscle twitching or tightening
• Shaking of the hands that you cannot control
• Numbness, burning, or tingling in the face, arms, legs, feet, or hands
• Upset stomach
• Vomiting
• Lightheadedness
• Irregular heartbeat
• Sudden weight gain
• Shortness of breath, especially during the night
• Dry, hacking cough
• Swelling or pain in the stomach
• Swelling of the eyes, face, lips, tongue, throat, arms, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
• Difficulty breathing or swallowing
• Rash
• Hives
• Itching

Prednisone may also slow growth and development in children, increase your risk of developing osteoporosis, or contribute to your risk of developing a type of cancer called Kaposi’s sarcoma.

Yours Truly,

Joseph Marquardt
President, Q-Based Healthcare TM
The Makers of All StopTM Products
Info@qbased.com
Toll Free 1.866.314.8917