Doctor CKI Nguyen Thi Kim Dung, specialist in Dermatology – Skin Aesthetics, Tam Anh General Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, said that hives (also known as urticaria) is a very common dermatological disease, with 15-25% of the world’s population.

Hives occur when a trigger inside the body causes too much histamine and other chemical messengers to be released.

Hives can appear on all parts of the body such as: hands, feet, eyes, lips, tongue, neck, back, abdomen and even genitals.

Anyone can get hives, most common in people with sensitive skin, weak immune systems, women, and young children.

This is a benign skin reaction, mainly causing itching and rough skin.

Avoid exposure to factors that cause hives: Including insect bites, stress, sunlight, some allergic ingredients in medication (antibiotics, aspirin, ibuprofen), dust, animal hair

Keep your body cool: People who are prone to hives need to wear loose, airy clothes, made of cotton that absorbs moisture well, and do not use dry, easily damaged fabrics.

Avoid using products that cause skin irritation: Cosmetics, chemicals, perfumes, skin care products, toothpaste, coloring agents, preservatives used in food, vitamins, spices…

Mild urticaria can be treated at home by applying the following methods:

Use anti-itch solutions: People with hives often scratch a lot, easily leading to skin damage, so they need to be cleaned with anti-itch solutions such as oatmeal, baking soda, cool water baths… This method helps.

Using medicine: Patients can buy over-the-counter medicines, but need to ask a doctor for advice.

Supplement vitamins and nutrients: Supplement nutritious foods, fresh vegetables and fruits, drink plenty of water… to help increase skin resistance and limit hives.

Some patients also treat hives with folk remedies such as using ginger, perilla leaves, aloe vera, treating hives with green tea leaves, betel leaves, salt… but they may not be effective.

Hives are not contagious, not life-threatening, but affect the patient’s health and quality of life.