Hives: identical symptoms, different causes
The disease is named after a very useful plant to cleanse the body, but very tedious to collect: the nettle. The peculiarity of this plant is to release an acidic substance which is what causes inflammation in the skin.
It is common in people predisposed to this condition; the hives are present accompanied by angioedema, which is a deeper accumulation of fluid in comparison to the hives. No color or itching, but the swelling is more pronounced, especially at the mucosa.
The hives-angioedema syndrome may be acute, in this case they go away in six weeks and they do not return again, or may be chronic when it lasts more than six weeks and their presence is recurrent.
In a small percentage the cause of chronic hives is idiopathic (unknown cause). If there is an identified cause, it is necessary to avoid contact with certain substances. If the rash does not disappear, the patient must follow a therapy with antihistamines, steroids or nonsteroidal anti-leukotrienes (fatty acids involved in the inflammation process).
The manifestation of allergic hives is related to substances of different nature, which, in susceptible individuals are to appear rash and itching.
The allergy can be caused by antibiotics, food or insect bites. The reactions vary according to each individual and must be very careful because people with allergies there is a risk of anaphylactic shock.
