Medical Portal Mediway.com

Medical Specializations, Medical Dictionary


  Molecules
  Diseases
  Books
  Medical Products
  First aid
  Medical Specializations
  Doctors' Listing
  Hospitals
  Pharma/Drug Companies
  Manufacturers of Surgical
  Instruments

  Medical Colleges
  Medical Associations
  Medical Dictionary
  Conferences & Exhibitions
  Image Gallery
  Video Library
  Home
  Contact Us

Medical Specializations


Paediatrics => Allergy => Hives


Hives


Hives, allergic disorder of the skin, characterized by sudden evanescent or repeated appearance of wheals, irregular, round skin lesions accompanied by inflammation and itching. Hives, technically known as urticaria, commonly appear on covered areas of the skin, but rarely on the palms, soles, or scalp. The disease, often appearing in conjunction with hay fever or asthma, is attributed to an allergic reaction, which occurs rapidly after ingestion, inhalation, injection, or contact with an offending antigen.

Agents responsible for acute urticaria include many foods, such as fish, shellfish, nuts, and berries. Of the wide variety of drugs that may cause it, the most prominent are penicillin, serums, insulin, and biological preparations that contain protein. Insect bites may be responsible. Chronic urticaria is often attributable to materials such as wool, metal, furs, or silk; to focal infections of the teeth, tonsils, or sinuses; to infestations of scabies, lice, bed bugs, and worms; or to allergic reactions to light or extremes of temperature. In many chronic cases emotional stress may be involved.

Itching may be relieved by ointments or lotions such as calamine. Because the antigen-antibody reaction characteristic of acute urticaria is believed to involve release of body histamine, injections of an antihistamine may afford symptomatic relief.

Back