What is Hives?
Hives or urticaria is a disease of skin infections that influenced by interference immunity.

The symptoms of this skin infection is characterized by pale, appeared slightly swollen (wheals) that surrounds the redness. In other side, there is also known as Angioedema, that is swelling of the larger tissue under the skin, sometimes on the face and throat.

Causes of Hives

If the Hives and Angioedema occur simultaneously, the condition is more severe.
Common triggers are medications, insect bites, allergies injection (allergen immunotherapy), and allergies to certain foods (such as eggs, shellfish, beans, and fruits).

In the patients who have allergies to certain foods above, the onset of hives or angioedema can be occur suddenly with small amount of consumption, except with strawberries that reaction can occur after consuming a lot.

Hives or angioedema can be chronic, recurrent, and lasted more than a week or month.
In most cases, no specific cause can be identified. The causes was possibly related to habits, intake of harmful substances without realizing it (such as food dyes or preservatives).
In some people, antibodies to thyroid hormone might be the cause. Use of certain drugs like aspirin and NSAIDs can also cause chronic hives or angioedema.
Chronic angioedema that occurs without hives is likely decreasing angioedema.

Decreased angioedema is not allergic.
Decreased angioedema is a genetic disorder associated with C1 inhibitor deficiency or damage.
C1 inhibitor s part of the complement system, which is part of immune system.
In this disorder, an injury, viral infection, or stress (such as dealing to anticipated dental procedures or surgery) could trigger an attack in the form of swelling (angioedema).

Hives Symptoms

Hives usually begin with itching. Then the spheres formed immediately. The spheres usually remain small (less than 1/2 inches across).
For larger spheres (up to 4 inches across) could look like rings of redness with pale color in the center.

Typically, a collection of hives come and go. One spot may remain for several hours, then disappears, and the the others can appear anywhere.
Once the hives disappeared, the skin usually looks completely normal.

Diagnosis

In children, when hives occurs suddenly, disappear quickly, and no recurrence, an examination by a doctor is usually not necessary because the cause is usually caused by viral infection.
If the hives caused by bee sting, it is advisable to see the doctor.
A person can obtain advice about treatment if another bee sting occurs.
When angioedema or hives recur without an obvious cause, an examination by a physician is recommended.

Hives Treatments

Usually, if hives appear suddenly, they subside without treatment within days and sometimes within minutes. However, if the cause is unclear, the person must stop using all drug that are not important until the hives reduced.

For mild hives or angioedema, use of histamines often prescribed in reducing itching and swelling. The use of corticosteroids are usually prescribed only for severe symptoms when all other treatments are ineffective, and they were given for the shortest possible time due to potential adverse event may occur.

When taken by mouth for more than 3 to 4 weeks, they can cause various side effects, and sometimes serious adverse events.

Some people with chronic hives, the disease can disappear without treatment within 2 years and some of adults can be prescribed with strong antihistamine to help reducing chronic hives with all the risks of side effects that must be anticipated by patients and doctors.

If severe angioedema results in difficulty swallowing or breathing, or fainting, then emergency treatment needed.
Those affected individual should always carry a syringe epinephrine that injected by themselves and antihistamine tablets to be used immediately if a reaction occurs.

In the literature of homeopathic remedies, arnica montana is a substance that effectively deal with hives.
It contains derivatives of thymol from its roots, which have anti-inflammatory properties and useful as fungicides. In clinical as well this substance also effective used as vasolidators of subcutaneous blood capillaries.

Arnica now has used in a liniment and ointment preparations for strains, sprains, and bruises feeling that can accompany in hives outbreak.

One of homeopathic remedies with those ingredient is Oxyhives.

Oxyhives is not only contain arnica montana extract, but also other homeopathic ingredients that beneficial in relieving hives.

Other homeopathic substances that effectively fight hives, including shingles rashes and all types of itchi eruption is Rhus Toxicodendron that has also anti-inflammatory.

Detail about Oxyhives can be found here.

Besides of hives treatments above, you can also use home remedies such as oatmeal bath, chickweed that crushed or chopped then used as poultice directly to the skin or added to bath water, and vitamins B12 and C to help the healing process.