Hives are also known as urticaria, and they cause raised white or yellow, itchy wheals surrounded by an area of red inflammation. It is an allergic reaction of the skin, causing the body to release histamine into the effected tissues.

The size of the wheal itself varies, with the larger ones sometimes joining together in places to form an irregular rash. They usually cause severe irritation and usually appear on the limbs and trunk, but can appear anywhere.

Acute urticaria develops rapidly and usually lasts for just a few hours - it is characterized by a feverish, faint feeling and occasionally nausea. Chronic urticaria, on the other hand, can persist for a long period of time.

Common triggers include:

• Drugs such as aspirin and penicillin

• Food additives

• Food sensitivity such as milk, eggs, shellfish and nuts

• Environmental factors such as exposure to cold, heat or sunlight

• Stress and anxiety

• And bug bites and stings.

Because this problem is one that involves the immune system, it is important that your diet includes nutrients that improve immune function. One of the most important nutrients that can help with this condition is Vitamin C.

All fruits and vegetables contain some amount of Vitamin C. Foods that tend to be the highest sources of vitamin C include green peppers, citrus fruits and juices, strawberries, tomatoes, broccoli, turnip greens and other leafy greens, sweet and white potatoes, cantaloupe and spinach.

Vitamin C helps promote a healthy immune system and releases natural antihistamines. Histamine is the chemical within the blood stream that the body produces during an allergic reaction. This chemical is responsible for the uncomfortable reaction that a person has when they are experiencing an allergy. But Vitamin C isn't the only thing that helps.

Green tea has also been reported to have an antihistamine effect. Vitamin B12 has been reported to reduce the severity of acute hives, and also to reduce the frequency and severity of outbreaks in chronic cases.

Vitamin B12 is found in animal foods, fortified foods, and some fermented foods. Some healthy sources of B12 are eggs, meat, poultry, fish, dairy products, and foods made from soy. Salmon and low-fat milk are particularly good sources.

Although these natural vitamins can help with the symptoms of hives, it's also important to look at the source of your hives.

If you suffer from food allergies, it's important to keep a detailed food diary. Note what you ate when you have hives breakouts, as it may be just a simple matter of eliminating a food or several foods from your diet in order to avoid suffering from hives.

It's also a good idea to evaluate your stress levels, because this can be one of the major causes of hives. If you tend to break out in hives under certain stressful circumstances, it's important that you try to find a way to either avoid those situations or deal with them in a different way.

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