Urticaria

Urticaria is the medical term for hives. Hives are itchy, red, raised patches of skin. Hives can be triggered by an allergic reaction or other stressors and generally come and go and migrate across the body. Sometimes hives are also associated with angioedema, or puffiness and swelling. If hives last for another 6 weeks, the condition is considered chronic hives and your dermatologist will generally choose to pursue further testing to determine the cause.

What are common triggers?

• Medications
• Stress
• Food allergies
• Contact allergies
• Bug bites
• Recent infections or sicknesses
• Changes in body temperature

What is the treatment?

• Time: Hives usually go away on their own without treatment, but treatments can be helpful in managing symptoms.
• Topical medications: Topical corticosteroids can be prescribed to help relieve symptoms of itch on affected lesions.
• Oral medications: Antihistamines can be prescribed or recommended over the counter to help relieve itching and reduce the body’s response to an allergen. In severe cases of hives, a short course of oral steroids might be prescribed to help reduce inflammation.

If you have a severe allergic reaction and are having trouble breathing, tightness in the throat or chest, nausea and vomiting, cramps, or fainting – seek immediate medical care. If you are experiencing hives, our dermatologists can evaluate you and develop an effective treatment plan to improve your quality of life.