I told you yesterday that I would write a Medical Minute post about the mystery skin rash that rapper Trina appeared to have in leaked pictures from her cell phone. Although I am not a doctor and I have no knowledge of Trina’s medical history, it does look like Trina has a chronic (long term) case of urticaria, also known as hives.
Hives is an outbreak of raised, itchy, sometimes reddened patches of skin and bumps that are frequently caused by allergic reactions to food, drugs, chemicals, cold, sunlight, etc. Foods that can cause allergic hives are shellfish, nuts, peanuts, eggs, wheat, and soy.
Hives can occur anywhere on the body but are usually seen on the extremities (arms and legs). Hives can also be caused by the friction from hot, restrictive clothing such as bra straps or tight elastic bands in panties.
Hives are not contagious and can not be passed from one person to another by contact. Therefore, hives is not a sexually transmitted disease.
Although hives are frequently caused by allergic reactions, it can also be brought on by a non-allergic reaction to emotional stress or distress. Emotionally induced hives is diagnosed whenever the hives lasts longer than 6 weeks and do not respond very well to treatment. This occurs because the underlying trigger is the patient’s own emotional and mental condition, and not by an allergy.
Until the patient works on managing her stress (through antidepressants, anti-anxiety meds or therapy), the breakouts will continue unremittingly. This, in turn, can cause the patient to endure even more stress and anxiety because she feels there is something seriously wrong with her if the treatment is not working.
The more anxious you are, the more frequently the episodes of hives (and the intense itching that accompanies it) appears. Until you uncover (and resolve) the underlying cause behind your emotional issues, the hives/rash will never completely go away.
Treatment includes antihistamine creams or tablets (such as Benadryl) anti-depressants, anti-anxiety medications and therapy.
More Info On The Web
Skin Conditions: Hives – WebMD
Urticaria and Angioedema – Medicinenet
As always, any medical information published on this blog is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with your personal physician or a health care provider.
