Hives are also called urticaria and they are pink swellings (welts) on any part of the skin.
Hives are itchy and unpleasant.
They usually disappear within a few weeks or less, but unfortunately for some people, they stay longer or reappear often.
Such hives are called chronic hives.
Definition of chronic hives is hives that stay longer than six weeks, or hives that recur frequently.
It is usually difficult to identify the cause of chronic hives.
Sometimes the cause is related to an underlying autoimmune disorder - when the body becomes allergic to itself.
Sometimes hives is caused by health problems like lupus or thyroid disease.
It can be also caused by some bacteria or viruses.
Ordinary hives can be caused by allergic reaction to many things.
Foods like nuts, chocolate, fish, tomatoes, eggs, fresh berries and milk often cause hives.
Hives can be caused also by medications and insect stings.
Although the cause of the chronic hives may not be identified, the symptoms can be cured.
For most of the people with hives problem a combination of antihistamine medications brings relief.
The problem with antihistamines is that they often are the cause of drowsiness.
Antihistamines could not work if: -The used antihistamine is not strong enough -The dose is not high enough -The antihistamines treatment is not continued long enough.
One of the most popular and well tolerated medications for chronic hives is Zyrtec, but it can sometimes cause sedation for some people.
Claritin is usually not sedating and it works well.
If Zyrtec or Claritin don't eliminate the hives, a sedating-type of antihistamine like hydroxyzine, cyproheptadine or doxepin is added at night.
High doses may be needed and this will cause sedation.
Luckily, most patients will become less affected by sedation after they have taken the drug regularly for a while.
More and more people are avoiding antihistamines and they are using natural and homeopathic medications to treat hives with success.