The body exhibits several natural reactions to different health conditions and issues. Hives are one of the body’s natural responses to a reaction of some kind. Typically occurring as a raised, red, itchy patch of welts or swellings, hives often range in size and appear as small spots or even large blotches. Either way, the individual welts that appear typically surface and fade as the reaction progresses. A related issue, angioedema are welts or swelling that affect the deeper layers of the skin.
Hives can appear in several different varieties and present a wide array of additional symptoms. Typically, hives appear as raised red or white swellings or wheals of different sizes. Generally, the hives “move” over the skin fading and appearing as the reaction moves throughout the body. Additionally, hives by may itch, bur or sting. While not common, additional symptoms include fever, fatigue and muscle soreness.
Hives are caused by any number of triggers that causes the skin or tissue to have a reaction and to release histamine or chemicals into the bloodstream. While it is sometimes difficult to pinpoint the causal factor of an outbreak of hives, many allergic reactions are common. Typical allergens include food, medicine, other allergens, environmental issues and dermatographia.
While the cause of hives is often difficult to identify, many natural hives treatments work no matter the cause. One particularly effective hives treatment is activated charcoal. Taken on an empty stomach, activated charcoal absorbs any toxins or allergens in the system and clears the outbreak in as little as one day. Additional treatment options include apple cider vinegar, iodine, licorice extract and oil pulling. Almond, lavender and tea tree oils applied topically also sooth and heal hives from the outside in.
