Chronic hives (urticaria)

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Prevention

By Mayo Clinic staff

The following precautions may help prevent hives and angioedema:

  • Avoid known triggers. These may include certain foods or food additives, alcohol, medications or situations such as temperature extremes, tight clothing or emotional stress.
  • Keep a diary. Track all of your activities, when and where hives occur, and what you eat. This may help you and your doctor identify triggers.
  • Avoid medications that may trigger hives. These include aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), codeine or any other medication that you've noticed can trigger your hives.
References
  1. Kaplan AP. Urticaria and angioedema. In: Wolff K, et al. Fitzpatrick's Dermatology in General Medicine. 7th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2958607. Accessed May 2, 2009.
  2. Urticaria. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/print/sec10/ch109/ch109e.html. Accessed May 2, 2009.
  3. Austen KF. Allergies, anaphylaxis, and systemic mastocytosis. In: Fauci AS, et al. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. 17th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2858746. Accessed May 2, 2009.
  4. Bingham CO. Etiology and diagnosis of urticaria. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed May 4, 2009.
  5. Urticaria. American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. http://www.acaai.org/public/advice/urtic.htm. Accessed May 2, 2009.
  6. Fromer L. Treatment options for the relief of chronic idiopathic urticaria symptoms. Southern Medical Journal. 2008;101:186.
  7. Xyzal (prescribing information). Bridgewater, N.J.: Sanofi-Aventis. 2008. http://www.xyzal.com/pdf/pi.pdf. Accessed May 4, 2009.
  8. Sicherer SH. Advances in allergic skin disease, anaphylaxis, and hypersensitivity reactions to foods, drugs, and insects in 2008. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 2009;123:319.
  9. Khan DA. Chronic urticaria: Diagnosis and management. Allergy and Asthma Proceedings. 2008;29:439.

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June 23, 2009

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