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Hives—also called urticaria—are a common skin reaction that causes raised, itchy welts on the skin. These welts can appear suddenly and vary in size, ranging from small spots to large patches.
At Certified Allergy & Asthma Consultants, we evaluate and treat patients who experience hives, chronic itching, or unexplained skin reactions. Identifying the underlying cause of hives is an important step in developing an effective treatment plan.
Hives are very common and affect up to 20% of people at some point in their lives.
Although hives are often uncomfortable and itchy, they are usually temporary and manageable with appropriate medical care.
Hives are swollen, itchy welts that appear on the surface of the skin due to the release of chemicals such as histamine from immune cells in the skin.
This chemical release causes fluid to leak into the skin, leading to the characteristic raised rash.
Individual hives may:
In some cases, hives may occur together with angioedema, which causes deeper swelling beneath the skin, often affecting the lips, eyelids, or throat.
The primary symptom of hives is a raised, itchy rash on the skin.
Common symptoms include:
Some individuals may also experience deeper swelling of the lips, eyelids, or hands when angioedema occurs along with hives.
Hives are generally classified based on how long the symptoms last.
Acute hives last less than six weeks and are often triggered by a specific factor such as:
Hives can occur for many different reasons. Common triggers include:
In some cases, no specific trigger can be identified.
Diagnosing hives typically begins with a detailed review of symptoms and possible triggers.
At Certified Allergy & Asthma Consultants, evaluation may include:
Your physician reviews when the hives occur, how long they last, and possible triggers.
The appearance and pattern of the rash can help guide diagnosis.
If an allergic cause is suspected, allergy testing may help identify potential triggers.
Additional evaluation may be recommended if hives persist for an extended period or occur with other symptoms.
Treatment focuses on relieving symptoms and identifying triggers that may cause flare-ups.
For patients with chronic or severe hives, additional medications or treatments may be recommended to help control symptoms.
Your physician will determine the most appropriate treatment based on symptom severity and underlying causes.
Patients trust Certified Allergy & Asthma Consultants for evaluation and treatment of hives and other allergic skin conditions.
Our specialists help patients:
With proper evaluation and treatment, many patients can successfully control hives and reduce future flare-ups.
