AR










HIVES.JPG

HIVES

FOODS THAT HARM

  • Yellow food color no
    5 (tartrazine)
  • Shellfish
  • Nuts
  • Berries
  • Apricots
  • Grapes
  • Dried fruits
  • Tea

    FOODS THAT HEAL

  • Poultry
  • Seafood
  • Seeds
  • Fortified and enriched cereals and breads

    WHO’S AFFECTED

  • 15 to 24% of Americans will experience acute hives or angioedema (swelling that occurs in the tissue just below the skin, especially around the lips and eyes) at some point in their lives
  • People who have Allergies such as hay fever
  • People with infections from colds or by bacteria or fungi
  • People with lupus, thyroid disease, and a type of vasculitis
    Medically known as urticaria, hives are the itchy red welts that develop as a result of reactions to foods, medications, and other provoking substances
    If hives are accompanied by swelling of the throat and difficulty breathing, speaking, or swallowing, seek immediate medical help
    These symptoms may signal anaphylaxis, a potentially fatal medical emergency

    Nutrition Connection

    Avoid trigger foods
    This is the best way to prevent a hives outbreak
    Some common causes are shellfish, nuts, and berries
    A person who is allergic to aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) should also be wary of foods that contain natural salicylates
    These include apricots, berries, grapes, raisins and other dried fruits, tea, and foods processed with vinegar
    Keep a food diary
    If you get hives repeatedly, start a food diary; once you identify the suspect foods, eliminate them from your regular diet, then reintroduce one at a time
    Eat foods that are high in niacin
    Since hives and other allergy symptoms are triggered by the release of histamines, it may be useful to increase consumption of foods that are high in niacin (vitamin B3), which is believed to inhibit histamine release
    Good sources of niacin include poultry, seafood, seeds and nuts, whole grains, and fortified and enriched cereals and breads
    However, note that some foods that are good sources of niacin are among those that tend to provoke an allergy
    Check food labels to avoid tartrazine
    Although food additives are often blamed for causing allergic reactions, only tartrazine (yellow no
    5), a common coloring agent, has been found to cause hives—and in fewer than one out of 10,000 people
    All product labels must list food colorants; people who are sensitive to tartrazine should read labels on food products, medications, and vitamin supplements

    Beyond the Diet

    Take these steps to pin down the causes of hives and to avoid future attacks: Avoid trigger situations
    Emotional stress; exposure to sunshine, heat, or cold (even ice cubes in drinks); and viral infections can all cause hives
    Take antihistamines
    These medications can block histamines that produce the symptoms of hives
    Your doctor may recommend a drug such as Claritin, Allegra, Zyrtec, or Clarinex or a combination of antihistamines and other drugs such as corticosteroids
    Apply medicated lotions
    Ask your doctor or a dermatologist about lotions to reduce itching and relieve inflammation
    Talk to your doctor
    He or she may recommend allergy testing and be able to prescribe special medications for severe outbreaks
    • Importance of well balance diet