Things You Need To Know About Hives, Rash & Red Patches

 

Table of contents:

1. Symptoms of hives 
2. What causes hives, rash & red patches 
3. DOs when you have hives 
4. Natural hives treatment at home
5. Hives FAQs
6. My baby has hives. What’s happening? 
7. Why does my child get rashes after a fever?
8. Fortifying your skin with “3 Steps For Healthy Skin” 

 

Anyone can get hives. 

It can hit you out of the blue after a delicious meal. Suddenly, you see a raised bump on your face! 

You are happily riding your bicycle over a bumpy road and your palms start to itch. You wonder why? 

Sometimes it itches, other times it turns from pink to red and seems to spread from a small spot to a red patch that resembles an ‘island’. 

If you are a seasoned sufferer of hives, you can feel it coming and you kind of expect it. 

But if you have never had hives, the red patch that feels like a rash can cause some distress especially if it appears on visible parts of the body such as red patches on your face. 

This writer gets small red patches under the eye(s) whenever an allergic reaction is triggered by the food that he consumes. The spot of red patch on his face can ‘grow’, if it is severe at times, such that the whole eye(s) looks swollen. And yes, the writer himself can feel it as it happens. 

Is it a rash? Is it eczema? It is Hives! 

Symptoms of Hives 

Hives, also called Urticaria or nettle rash, is the immune system’s response to allergens. A protein called histamine is released into the bloodstream.   

The tiny blood capillaries swell and leak plasma resulting in red, itchy skin with bumps of different shapes and sizes.  

Hives vary in appearance depending on the cause, and it differs from person to person. 

When the rash enlarges and connects, welts are formed. Sometimes the welts merge to form plaques which can be the size of a plate! ‘Blanching’ is a process whereby the pink or red looking rash turns white when pressed.  

Hives can suddenly appear as skin-colored, pink, or red itchy skin with bumps and disappear in a matter of minutes, hours or days. 

What causes hives, rashes & red patches 

1.  Food triggers
Peanuts, other nuts
Eggs
Shellfish
Fruits eg. Bananas, Chestnuts, Kiwis, Mangoes
Spices
Some Vitamins & Supplements

2. Additives
Colorings
Preservatives
Perfumes

3. Chemicals in skincare and body care products 

4. A sudden change of temperature of the environment from hot to cold or vice-versa.  

5. Ultraviolet light in sunshine or tanning beds 

6. Vibrations  

7. Adrenalin caused by stress or exercise 

8. Pressure on skin eg. Tight-fitting clothes, or straps of bags 

9. Physical contact with a plant, animal or materials of wearables eg. Cat fur & dander, latex gloves 

10. Illnesses eg. infections of the throat, stomach, urinary tract & common cold in kids 

DOs when you have hives 

• Be alert and sensitive to your body’s reactions
• Track the happenings 2-3 hours before the hives flare-up
• Take photos of the hives symptoms in case you need to see the dermatologist
• Stay calm and try to soothe the child’s itch and discomfort
• Reduce stress levels and adopt healthy lifestyle habits
• Follow through with your hives treatment plan
• Consult a dermatologist to rule out disease, infection or allergic reactions from medication

 

Natural hives treatment at home 

• Avoid overheating during winter or in the shower
• Wear loose clothing made of cotton
• Moisturise skin with a moisturizer made with natural ingredients that are hypoallergenic. Eg. Pure Emu Oil from Emu Tracks
• Apply a cold compress on the itchy skin, provided cold is not the trigger
• Eat healthy, natural whole foods as much as possible. Keep away from inflammatory FREDG foods
• Supplement to fortify and support healthy skin eg. Pure Emu Oil Capsules containing Omega 3, 6 & 9, and vitamins A, D, E & F.

 

Hives FAQs 

Why does my child get rashes after a fever? 

Hives are not contagious and it cannot spread by touching someone with hives. However, the cause of the hives could be bacterial, parasites or viral rash in adults 

Will hives spread if a person scratches? 

Try not to scratch as it may cause the inflammation to spread. 

Are hives life-threatening? 

Adults often think of hives as a nuisance and delay treatment.  

Hives are generally not serious to be life-threatening unless accompanied by breathing difficulty and a drop in blood pressure. Also, if the rash is accompanied by fever it could be an indication of possible life-threatening conditions. Adult rash with fever may be an emergency situation. 

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/10/151005121429.htm 

Can stress cause hives? 

Yes, they are also called stress rashes. Anxiety, emotional tension, and sleep deprivation can trigger or worsen the condition of hives. 

How do I know if I have chronic hives? 

Urticaria is considered acute if it lasts for less than 6 weeks and chronic if more than 6 weeks. Episodic urticaria is one that occurs intermittently over months or years. 

If it persists, you should consult a doctor or allergy specialist to identify the triggers 

What are the side effects of conventional hives medication? 

Antihistamines like diphenhydramine may cause drowsiness, dizziness, dry mouth/nose & throat, weight gain, stomach upset, increased appetite, changes in vision, and thickened mucus. 

Prescribed steroids may cause acne, impaired vision, sleeping difficulties, increased blood pressure & weight, reduced immunity to infections, muscle weakness, irritable stomach, bleeding, mood swings, water retention, and swelling. 

Find out how you can treat hives naturally next. 

Is it possible to cure hives naturally? 

Most of the conditions of mild hives will go off after a few hours or fade away after a few days.  

Still, it can be quite distressing if the red patches are highly visible and uncomfortable if it itches badly.  

Besides, the loss of sleep and concentration due to the discomfort can disrupt a person’s daily life. 

While some triggers and causes can be avoided, some are unknown to even doctors. It may take a lot of time, patience, and testing to investigate hives causes. 

The above points are helpful tips to soothe the symptoms of hives most of the time, even from unknown causes and triggers. Try the “Emu Oil 3-Steps To Healthy Skin” at the end of this article. 

However, do seek medical advice for hives treatment if it persists for long periods.

 

My baby has hives. What’s happening? 

Hives on babies are quite common unless accompanied by breathlessness which is a sign of something more serious that needs urgent medical intervention.

● Baby skin is delicate and sensitive to allergens, here are some things to check for:
● Most cases of hives on babies are triggered by an infection eg. flu or cold.
● reaction to a medication
● an insect bite
● food triggers eg. milk, eggs, soy or wheat. Read about FREDG foods here.
● other allergies eg. fur, latex, or certain types of plants
● a physical reaction to UV light and cold known as Solar urticaria and Cold urticaria

Hives can very quickly progress to a severe allergic reaction, called anaphylaxis, which can be fatal. Here’s what to look out for:

● wheezing
● difficulty breathing
● swelling of the lips, tongue, mouth, or throat
● a racing heart rate
● skin that feels cold
● loss of consciousness

If these symptoms are present, it is a medical emergency and an early response can save lives.

Why does my child get rashes after a fever?

Roseola is common among kids 6 months to 3 years old. It is a viral illness characterized by several days of a high fever that breaks suddenly on the 6th or 7th day. When the fever breaks, a rash that starts from the trunk will spread to the arms, neck, and face. The rash does not itch or hurt and fades after a few days.

Scarlet fever shows up as a rash that starts from the neck and face and spreads to the rest of the body. The rash may itch, so it is advisable to trim a child’s fingernails to prevent scratching.

Other symptoms of scarlet fever are fever, sore throat, swollen tonsils, or glands at the back of the throat, body aches, nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite.

Taking lots of fluids, nutritious soups and cool drinks will help soothe the child’s throat and loss of appetite.

Consult a doctor for a diagnosis, because scarlet fever is contagious. So proper care must be taken to prevent the spreading of the bacterial infection.

You can also learn from Rachel, a registered nurse’s experience to eczema freedom and be encouraged.

Fortifying your skin with “3 Steps For Healthy Skin”

STEP 1:

纯鸸鹋油

Apply Emu Tracks Pure Emu Oil on affected areas 3-5 times daily.

Emu Oil can be used whenever and as often as needed to soothe skin that is dry/sensitive/irritated.

It is beneficial to apply Emu Oil as a body moisturizer twice daily to nourish and moisturize.

 

STEP 2:

鸸鹋油洗液

Use Emu Tracks Liquid Wash for face, body & hands. It helps to calm and soothe skin and does not strip it of its natural oil during washing.

Formulated with Pure Emu Oil and plant extracts.

100% natural & free from soap & harsh chemicals.

 

STEP 3:

鸸鹋油胶囊

Take Emu Oil Capsules Orally.

It is a great source of Omega 3,6,7,9 & K2.

Take 3 capsules a day for daily maintenance.

For young children, it is beneficial to cut the capsules and squeeze the emu oil contents into their food or beverages.