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Hives, also known as urticaria, is a common skin condition characterised by red, itchy welts that vary in size and shape. These welts often appear suddenly and can cover large areas of the body. Common symptoms include intense itching, swelling, and a burning or stinging sensation. Hives can be triggered by various factors such as allergies, stress, infections, or certain medications. Understanding the symptoms and triggers of hives is essential for effective management, ensuring comfort for those affected.
Hives can be triggered by a range of factors. One of the most common causes is an allergic reaction to foods such as nuts, shellfish, eggs, and dairy products. Medications, including antibiotics and aspirin, can also provoke hives. Environmental factors like pollen, pet dander, insect bites, and stings are frequent culprits as well. Additionally, physical stimuli such as pressure, cold, heat, and sunlight can induce hives in sensitive individuals.
Besides this, stress and anxiety are known to aggravate the condition, highlighting the link between emotional health and skin reactions. Infections, both viral and bacterial, can also lead to outbreaks of hives.
Hives manifest in various forms, each with distinct characteristics and causes. Understanding these types can aid in better management.
The most common type of hives results from allergic reactions. These reactions can be triggered by allergens such as certain foods, pet dander, pollen, dust mites, insect bites or stings, and medications. Allergic hives are typically treated with allergy medications and by avoiding the known triggers.
Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that can cause hives. In this condition, hives are often accompanied by symptoms such as breathing difficulties, nausea, vomiting, severe swelling, and dizziness.
Chronic hives, also known as chronic urticaria, may not have an evident cause. This condition is characterised by recurring hives lasting more than six weeks, which can interfere with daily life. Tending to persist for months or even years, this condition is typically associated with underlying health issues such as autoimmune disorders, celiac disease, lupus, Type 1 Diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, and thyroid disease.
Dermatographism is a mild form of hives triggered by excessive scratching or continuous pressure on the skin. This type of hive typically goes away on its own.
Temperature changes can lead to hives in sensitive individuals. Cold-induced hives may result from exposure to cold water or air, while heat-induced hives can occur due to excessive body heat from physical activity. Additionally, solar hives can be triggered by exposure to sunlight or tanning beds.
Hives caused by viral and bacterial infections are known as infection-induced hives. Common bacterial infections include urinary tract infections and strep throat, while viral infections such as infectious mononucleosis, hepatitis, and common colds can also cause hives.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), urticaria, or hives, is seen as the result of external pathogenic factors invading the body, leading to an imbalance between the body’s defensive energy (Wei Qi) and these external influences.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers a holistic approach to hives (urticaria), focusing on reaching balance within the body and addressing the root causes. TCM employs various methods, including herbal medicine, acupuncture, dietary therapy, and lifestyle modifications to manage hives effectively.
In TCM, herbal medicine can help manage hives by targeting specific patterns of disharmony. Key herbs used include:
These herbs help reduce itchiness, inflammation, and recurrence of hives by addressing the underlying imbalances in the body.
Acupuncture is another key element of TCM care for hives. It involves inserting fine needles into specific points on the body to regulate qi (vital energy) and restore balance.
Dietary therapy in TCM focuses on strengthening the body’s immune system and reducing factors that can trigger hives.
The benefits of dietary therapy in TCM include reducing the frequency of hives outbreaks and enhancing overall health by maintaining internal balance.
Lifestyle modifications are crucial for managing hives effectively in TCM.
The Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners at ENOK TCM Clinic can help manage hives through holistic methods such as herbal medicine, acupuncture, and more based on the principles of TCM. These non-invasive techniques can be tailored to the unique needs of children and adults.
My child suffered from eczema in Feb 2023 and has seen western doctor, skin specialist at government hospital and TCM before we went to Enok Clinic. We found Enok clinic through google search and decided to give it a try. Our first visit to the clinic was 31 Jan 2024 and after seeing Dr Wang for 2.5 months, my child’s eczema is under control. Dr Wang’s medicine and cream is really effective plus following her advice to keep to a strict diet and lifestyle really helps a lot. We are glad that we made the right decision to visit Enok Clinic. The only regret we have is not discovering Enok Clinic earlier so we will not have wasted 1 year in seeing various doctors and ways to cure my child’s eczema.
First found Dr Wang via Google search back in 2019 as a desperate measure after having no luck with western medicine for months. I had a sorethroat and cough that no western medicine could fully get rid of. Having seen Dr Wang, she gave me lifestyle tips to correct contributing factors, and her medicine was very effective. Since going to her, I have never gone to see a Western doctor. Her medicine is always effective and she gives useful tips to prevent problems from recurring. It has been 5 years and she’s still my go to doctor for everything. She has treated my sprained ankle, seasonal flu, eczema and strained muscle problems. Have referred her to my friends.
The condition of my eczema improved significantly after few weeks of medication and proper diet. Condition is well under control.
I’ve suffered from Hives for more than 10yrs, snd was on daily antihistamine. (2 tabs 3x daily). My dermatologist even suggested biologics to control my condition which i declined.
Sometimes, my condition got so severe that people around me will ask what happened to my face/ body even after taking antihistamines
1month ago, my friend recommended me to Enok TCM. She shared that her teenage son has eczema and has seen improvements after seeing Dr Enoch.
I’m one who dislike the smell and taste of tcm but the condition irritated me so much that i decided to give TCM a shot
Dr Noah and Dr Esther are wonderful! They were very patient to explain my condition and share treatment plans.
As a nurse, i understand that TCM works differently from western medicine. Unlike western medicine which does more symptomatic relieve. TCM take time to see full effect where it focuses on “servicing” the overhauled body back to working condition through use of herbs.
My hives condition has improved tremendously! It’s no longer as itchy and occurrence of red, angry wheals have decreased significantly. The treatment has benefited me in other ways as well, i feel more energetic and my chronic constipation (since childhood) has also improved.
The cost of treatment is quite reasonable too. My visit to a dermatologist specialist easily cost $200 including medication which could only provide symptomatic itch relieve, but wheals remain. For the similar price, i have observed significant itch relieve and reduction of wheals occurrence.
So i highly recommend Enok for anyone who wish to seek TCM treatment.
I was having eczema for few weeks which i never had before, it was on my face, very itchy and I couldn’t sleep well. Have seen western doctor for two weeks but was not able to find the cause. Got recommended by a friend to ENOK, doctor is very friendly and nice, explained to me what might be the root cause, advise me on my diet and lifestyle. I recovered fully in three days after taking the medicine, now I’m being more careful not to take my allergy cause.
I had rashes on my face and arms that did not go away for more than one year. Steroid and tacrolimus creams that dermatologists prescribed did not resolve root problem of my rashes and itch; I often get flare ups and redness during this period. Was very thankful to have found Enok TCM clinic and Physician Liu. Besides the meds he prescribed, he also gave a lot of advices on changes that I need to make in my lifestyle. I was ‘discharged’ after 3 visits. Totally recommend people with skin/eczema issue to check them out.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) views hives as a manifestation of internal imbalances such as wind-heat or wind-cold invasions. Hence, it approaches the management of hives using methods such as herbal medicine, acupuncture, and dietary adjustments. These methods aim to balance the body's internal environment, address the underlying causes, and relieve symptoms like itching and swelling.
In TCM, hives are diagnosed through a detailed evaluation that includes the patient's medical history, pulse, and tongue examination. This holistic approach identifies internal imbalances, such as disrupted Qi flow or blood stagnation, which are believed to cause the condition. TCM practitioners aim to determine the underlying patterns of disharmony contributing to hives, similar to how they approach TCM for eczema treatment.
Acupuncture is considered effective in addressing hives by stimulating specific points on the body to regulate qi (energy flow) and dispel pathogenic factors. Acupuncture can help manage the severity and frequency of hives, itching, and skin health. It helps modulate the immune response and potentially reduce inflammation. Similarly, acupuncture is also used in TCM for migraine treatments in Singapore.
Yes, TCM can be safely combined with conventional antihistamines. This integrative approach can enhance overall effectiveness by addressing the immediate symptoms with antihistamines and the underlying imbalances with TCM methods like herbal medicine and acupuncture.
TCM care for hives is generally considered safe with minimal side effects, as herbal medicines and acupuncture focus on natural healing and balance. Some patients may experience mild side effects, such as temporary redness or slight bruising at acupuncture sites, or mild digestive issues from herbal medicines. However, do note that effects may vary from patient to patient.
