Helping to prevent hives
by Anonymous

Question : MY 13-month-old daughter has been getting hives for the past six months. It can appear and disappear within the day. I really have no idea what triggers it. I have sought advice from a paediatrician but he advised me to wait for another two months or so. He doesnt like to prescribe drugs to babies unless absolutely necessary. I dont like the idea of giving drugs to a small child because they may only suppress the symptoms but not treat the root of the problem. I would like to know whether theres any natural cure for hives. Of course the best treatment is to find the cause of the allergen!

Answer : HIVES are very common, especially in people who have experienced other allergic reactions like hay fever, and are sometimes hereditary. When you, have an allergic reaction to any substance, histamine and other chemicals are released into your bloodstream. These chemicals cause itching, swelling, hives and other symptoms. When swelling or welts occur around the face, especially the lips and eyes, it is called angioedema; swelling from angioedema can also occur around your hands, feet, and throat.

Many substances can trigger an allergic response, resulting in hives, such as medications, certain types of foods such as berries, shellfish, fish, nuts, eggs and milk, pollen and even animal dander or insect bites. Hives may also develop from an infection (like mononucleosis) or illness (including lupus and other autoimmune diseases, leukaemia and others), emotional stress, extreme cold or sun exposure and excessive perspiration.

I would advise that you supplement her diet with probiotics. These beneficial bacteria have been known to reduce the severity and extent of the allergy. Probiotics help modulate the immune system to combat allergies. If the allergen is of dairy origin, go for the probiotics supplement without any milk components. I would also recommend two capsules of evening primrose oil 500mg to be taken twice daily, after meals. You may puncture the capsules and squeeze out the oil into juice or water. Alternatively, topical application may also help relieve the itch and inflammation.

Avoiding the allergens will help prevent further attacks. Discuss with your doctor on tests available to help determine causative agents.

• The Overuse of Allergy Tests: They Could Do More Harm Than Good
  
  Because false positives and false negatives are common, it's recommended that children only undergo allergy tests when absolutely needed.
  


• Ora Executives to Present at Allergy Drug Discovery & Development Conference in San Diego
  
  SAN DIEGO, CA-- - Leading allergy experts from Ora, Inc. will present at the GTC Bio Allergy Drug Discovery & Development Conference in San Diego. The meeting, taking place January 30-31st at the Paradise ...
  


• AllergyEats Informs Food Allergy Community About Important Changes To Fast Food Restaurants' Menus
  
  In many instances change is good, but as restaurants update their menus in an effort to stay competitive, these changes can be dangerous for the food allergy community. When restau
  


• Allergy & Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics Fills Cupid's Quiver with 10 Valentine Tips
  
  WASHINGTON, Feb. 6, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Planning to celebrate the most romantic day of the year with your food-allergic sweetheart? Or is it the pollen, pet or mold allergies that have you worried about asthma symptoms flaring? Allergy & Asthma Network Mothers of...
  


• Asthma, allergy support
  
  The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America New England Chapter and ShoreSide Asthma and Allergy Educational Support Group will hold a roundtable discussion titled “Meeting the Challenges of Food Allergies in 2012” at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 9, at Wingate - The Inn at Silver Lake, 21 Chipman Way, Kingston.