What would cause an annual outbreak of hives?

Can alcohol cause hives?

• My mom has been getting hives for the past month. She went to the DR. and got blood work done and the tests revealed she is not allergic to anything on the panels. She usually gets the hives in the middle of the night when she wakes up she notices them. She gets them on her legs, arms, stomach and even her head. Last Sunday morning she woke up with them again and one was on her eye. So she went to Urgent Care after our DR didn't give her another perscription for the hives. The Urgent Care DR gave her a steriod to treat them and she hasn't had them since. Except last night she consumed alcohol and had cigarettes and she woke up with hives again this morning. I'm beginning to think it's alcohol. She has been drinking for years, can a sudden onset be the cause of hives from alcohol? Our DR. wants to send her to a dermatologist. What do you think??

• Answer:

  Hives (urticaria) is a harmless type of rash or skin allergy that is usually caused by an allergy. The rash consists of circular, raised welts on the skin that are usually itchy and occur in batches. Hives can vary in size, from a few millimeters to several centimeters in diameter. Urticaria usually affects the throat, arms, legs, and trunk. About 16% of the population will experience this rash at some time in their lives. Hives can be caused by medication, foods, and insect bites. When the rash lasts less than six weeks, it’s called “acute urticaria", when lasting more than six weeks it’s referred to as “chronic urticaria.” With chronic urticaria, it is more difficult to identify the offending allergen than it is with acute cases. In about 80% of chronic cases of urticaria, the offending allergen responsible is unknown. common triggers that cause hives The most common skin allergy triggers that cause hives include: • Medication such as antibiotics, codeine, penicillin, sulfa, anticonvulsant drugs, phenobarbital, and aspirin • Foods like shellfish, nuts, tomatoes, soy, chocolate, and berries • Pollen • Cat dander • Insect bites such as bee ans wasp stings Other causes of hives include: emotional stress, bacterial - viral - fungal infections, hepatitis B, parasitic worms, food additives, plants, cold temperatures, heat, sweating, and dermatographism (irritation from pressure or tight fitting clothes). symptoms of hives Symptoms of urticaria are caused by histamine release from mast cells that exist deep within the skin. Common symptoms include: • Sudden onset • Red or skin colored welts that resemble mosquito bites • Welts change quickly re: size, shape, & location • Itching • Welts commonly last about 24 hours • Angioedema - swelling of lips, face, and tongue treatment of hives If the substance or allergy responsible for your urticaria can not be found, the symptoms of urticaria will need to be treated. Antihistamines are the primary medications used to control hives and stop the itching: • Antihistamines such as Atarax, Benedryl, Seldane, and Tagamet • Corticosteroids - used in more severe cases • Injections of epinephrine - used in cases that involve life-threatening episodes • Avoidance of known allergens See how energy-based allergy treatment can eliminate allergies that cause hives Even though I was initially skeptical about this treatment, I later found-out how quickly and easily this energy-based method eliminates allergies. If you'd like to review the top vitamins, minerals, and herbs for allergies, allergies causing hives can be treated naturally tips for controlling hives There are some general measures you can take to ease the symptoms associated with urticaria: • Avoid heat; keep the temperature of the skin cool • Stay away from alcohol, as it causes flushing of the skin • Try not to scratch affected areas • Wear loose clothes that will not put pressure on the skin Something else that may be something to look into is did your Mother recently change something in her wash> A different soap of fabric softener? If this comes in the night it could be that she is having a reaction to the sheets/pillow. One way to help this is to stop using fabric softener and add vinegar to the rinse water. It is a far better way to rinse clothes and get rid of all soap and with continued use will even brighten the clothes.