Hives and Stress

Hives and stress are interrelated because research now proves that stress can trigger the onset of hives. Hives are skin allergic reactions that appear as raised skin welts and bumps that also resemble mosquito bites. These hives can appear as clusters which are usually located on the arms, torso, legs and the back. They are also found to be changing shape and location as well. These hives are very itchy and may also cause burning sensation to the patient. After a vigorous rubbing or scratching, the condition of hives does not reduce but gets aggravated. Hives may disappear after some time on their own, but have a peculiar tendency to reappear in some other parts of the body.

Hives caused by stress

Medical studies have confirmed that stress produces hormonal imbalances in the body which trigger the production of histamines in the body. With histamine overdrive, there is an onset of hives on the skin.

But, how does stress cause hives?

When a person is stressed out, he/she produces adrenalin, cortisol and a gastrointestinal hormone called vasoactive intestinal peptide, VIP. Continuous stressed-out situations often result in elevated levels of VIP. Higher VIP in the blood stream can damage important tissues in the blood at a very rapid rate. Researchers Fjellner and Hagermark performed an important study in 1981 which explained the direct correlation between stress and hives. These researchers injected VIP under the epidermal layers of the skin. It was soon found that the there was indeed a production of histamines in the blood stream which triggered hives rash on the skin. It was found that continued higher levels of cortisol as a result of stress causes VIP to be produced in larger doses. This in turn causes hives reaction. Thus, emotional stress and agony can be really detrimental and result in hives.

It is often found that patients suffering from stress hives have elevated levels of stress in the body because of the debilitating effects of hives in itself. Hives appear as itchy, burning or stinging areas. They may also cause the swelling of certain facial tissues which may disfigure the person a great deal. This elevates the mental agony and related stress factors in the blood stream which further aggravate the condition of hives. Apart from this factor, hives rash is severely itchy when a patient attempts to sleep. Lack of proper sleep elevates stress-related hormones yet again and there is persistence of hives rash as a result. Thus, it has been medically proven that stress can result in hives.

Treatment of hives caused by stress

Since, it has been proven that stress is also an important factor that can trigger the onset of hives and also its persistence, the question is about treating hives stress. The general approach of a doctor while tackling hives is to eliminate the source of allergen that might have triggered the hives-like allergy reaction. Usually the patient is questioned about the lifestyle, food habits, about pets etc. If the patient feels that the condition of hives could have been triggered as a result of stress and emotional depression, then the medical practitioner is likely to advise the patient to take some nerve-calming herbal teas. This is a popular natural home-remedy where sipping tea made from boiling rosemary leaves, thyme or chamomile or Red Alder is found to be an effective method of de-stressing.

Apart from these, doctors prescribe anti-histamine drugs such as Benadryl and Claritin that reduce the allergic reaction on the skin. If the hives condition is persistent and lasting for more than 6 weeks, then it could be chronic or severe hives. While treating chronic hives, medical practitioners may administer oral or injectible steroids or corticosterols to the patient. They are known to reduce histamine levels in the blood stream and thus control the allergic reaction in the body. In cases of very severe debilitating conditions of angioedema where the patient's face, tongue and facial tissues are swollen and may constrict the food pipe as well. The person may find it very difficult to breathe and even may choke a great deal. In such cases, doctors would inject epinephrine solutions in the body.

However, any anti-histamine drug is ineffective if the hives has been caused by stress as long as the levels of cortisol and VIP are not reduced in the blood stream. Thus, while treating stress induced hives the right approach for the patient would be to first calm down immensely and be less anxious.

If you are suffering from hives which could have been caused by stress, remember that worrying and anxiety has no positive impact on the body. In fact, anxiety neither benefits a person nor is able to solve the problem which might have caused it. You can enroll in de-stressing programs, practice breathing techniques and even yoga postures can be a great help. The aim is to reduce the levels of cortisol and all the other stress hormones that are circulating in the blood stream. With lowered levels of cortisol, you would find that hives on the skin are disappearing at a faster rate.

Hives are also known to occur in children too. The reason may be as simple as an allergic reaction to a wasp sting, insect bite, cat dander etc. however, it is increasingly found that teenagers have more stress related problems owing to peer pressure, self-image troubles etc. Certain cases of hives hence have also been attributed to stress and mental depression among teenagers. They need to be advised on the proper manner of handling the various life-related