Hives when the weather turns cold and warning signs.
Urticaria (hives) is a common dermatological condition that occurs year-round, but many cases only recur during the cold season.
According to Dr. Do Thi Thu Hien, Head of the Planning and General Affairs Department at the Central Dermatology Hospital, urticaria (hives) is a common skin disease caused by various factors, but it is very difficult to pinpoint the exact cause, such as genetics, allergies to medications, food, chemicals, insect bites, infections, and weather allergies.
According to a 2008 study in Hanoi, the prevalence of urticaria and angioedema in the population was 6.4%, with the causes being weather changes (73.5%), food (5.8%), animal fur (6.1%), medication (2.7%), cosmetics (13.6%), insect bites (30.4%), and unknown causes (14.1%).
There are two types of urticaria: recurrent urticaria (less than twice a week) and chronic urticaria (affecting 1% of the population, lasting more than 6 weeks and occurring more than twice a week without treatment).
The disease occurs year-round, however, many cases only appear in the autumn and winter. According to Dr. Hien, in these cases, the main cause of urticaria is dry skin.
The main symptoms of the disease are redness and swelling; the condition usually appears and disappears completely within one or a few hours, but no more than 24 hours at most.
The explanation is that the outermost layer of skin contains natural oils and dead skin cells that help the skin retain moisture. In cold weather, low humidity and strong winds cause this natural oil layer to disappear, leading to dry skin and increasing the risk of hives.
During winter, people with conditions such as eczema, rosacea, dermatitis, allergies, and asthma are at a significantly higher risk of developing hives compared to others.
Do not drink herbal teas or apply topical medications without consulting a doctor.
Because hives have many causes, accurate identification of the underlying cause is necessary for effective treatment. Experts advise that people should not self-medicate when experiencing hives. Abusing medications containing corticosteroids or antihistamines can cause dermatitis.
Corticosteroids, in particular, if used in high doses and for prolonged periods without supportive treatment to reduce their toxicity, can cause many dangerous complications such as adrenal insufficiency, gastrointestinal bleeding, osteoporosis, vertebral collapse, scoliosis, hyperglycemia, hypertension, muscle atrophy, mental disorders, and depression. Especially, the misuse of corticosteroids in children can slow down intellectual and mental development.
Besides Western medicine, many people with hives also share tips on using familiar plants like starfruit and perilla, rubbing their leaves on the affected area or brewing them into a tea. However, People's Physician, Senior Doctor Nguyen Xuan Huong, former President of the Vietnam Traditional Medicine Association, stated that no remedy, whether Western or traditional, has a one-size-fits-all prescription.
"Each person has different yin and yang, and different levels of cold and heat, meaning that to have an accurate prescription, a doctor must carefully examine the patient before prescribing, and the prescription must be based on each individual's constitution," Dr. Huong emphasized.
Regarding starfruit leaves specifically, Dr. Huong noted that these leaves should not be used to treat hives by drinking a decoction. Instead, people can wrap starfruit leaves in cloth, heat them, and apply them as a compress to the hives to reduce itching and help the rashes subside quickly.
When suffering from hives, it is necessary to avoid scratching to prevent infection; avoid contact with harmful chemicals; keep the body warm during weather changes; and limit foods that are likely to cause allergies.
For cases of severe hives in winter, it's necessary to apply body moisturizer; a simpler method is to use coconut oil and olive oil.
When suffering from hives, you can apply milk to the raised bumps or soak your whole body in a warm bath with added fresh milk for 10 minutes.
Most cases of winter hives will improve with lifestyle changes and home remedies, without the need for prescription treatment.
