Hives, also known as urticaria, usually starts as an itchy patch of skin that turns into swollen red welts. It can be set off by many substances or situations. The itching may be mild to severe. Scratching, alcoholic beverages, exercise and emotional stress may worsen the itching.
New Orleans Social clubs play a very large part in the Mardi Gras celebration as hosts of many of the parades on or around Mardi Gras. The two main Mardi Gras parades, Zulu and Rex, are both social club parades. Zulu is a mostly African-American club and Rex is mostly Caucasian.
Mardi Gras parades have been an annual tradition in Lafayette since 1934. Recent attendance on Mardi Gras day has been estimated as high as 250,000 by police spokespersons. The first formal Mardi Gras ball and parade in Lafayette dates back to 1869. In 1897, King Attakapas, the first Lafayette Mardi Gras king was crowned.