Hives is a skin condition that results in raised, itchy skin, with patches of skin looking red and inflamed, called wheals. If it is an acute attack, which means that it lasts for less than six weeks, it may be caused by an allergic reaction to an environmental trigger, or by a particular food. However, if it lasts for longer than this, it is considered to be a chronic case, and then is thought to be an autoimmune disorder.
Autoimmune disorders occur when the immune system mistakes the body’s cells for pathogens, and tries to get rid of them by attacking them, which can lead to damage to organs as well as tissues, such as the skin. Essential Fatty Acids (EFA’s) are responsible for ensuring the optimal functioning of every single cell in your whole body, as well as producing tiny compounds called eicosanoids, which regulate both immune and inflammatory responses in the body. They are therefore the foundation of all healthy cells, including healthy skin cells.