p. 7 | What to Do for Hives by J. J. BELL

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jul 20, 1911

What to Do for Hives

By J. J. BELL

J. J. BELL, M. D.

Hives, or nettle-rash, is a skin affection which is more prevalent in warm weather than cold. An evanescent eruption of whitish, pinkish, or reddish elevations, or wheals, variable in size and shape, makes its appearance on the skin. Itching is almost always present; at times a pricking, stinging, or burning sensation may be prominent.

The disease is due to a disturbance of function of the nerves supplying the blood-vessels of the skin. The attacks are almost always brought on by disturbed digestion, due to partaking of some article of diet which causes a derangement of the stomach. Occasionally some individuals have an attack when a certain kind of fruit is eaten. In some cases this may be due to the fact that the fruit is taken as an extra along with other unsuitable combinations, or the fruit may have been taken at unseasonable hours, as between meals, or just before retiring. Again, it may not have been fully ripe, or possibly it was overripe. Very likely it was not properly masticated.

Any food difficult to digest may cause an attack of hives. For this reason pastry, fried foods, condiments, and spices should be avoided. The meals should be simple, and few articles taken at a time. Hasty eating and overloading of the stomach should be avoided.

A warm bath to which has been added bicarbonate of soda often affords relief. This may be cooled, and then the skin well dried and rubbed with some soothing powder, such as talcum.

Pietermaritzburg, South Africa.