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“Hives – itchy red welts that seem to come out of nowhere – affect 20% of people at some time in their lives,” reports Dr. Kellie Reed, a board-certified dermatologist at Sanova Dermatology. Why do hives appear and what can you do about them? Dr. Reed explains more below.
Symptoms
Causes
Hives are caused by many factors. “Some foods, especially peanuts and shellfish, certain medications, insect bites, physical contact with latex or chemicals, pet dander, pollen, bacterial infections like strep throat and plants such as poison ivy are common causes,” Dr. Reed explains. Sometimes the trigger is obvious – you pet a cat and break out in hives within minutes. However, often the cause, especially for chronic hives, is more difficult to pinpoint.
Diagnosis and Treatment
To discover the cause of hives, your dermatologist reviews your health history, does a physical exam and may also request blood work and allergy testing. Dr. Reed states, “By exploring with you when the hives appeared in relation to your activities, your dermatologist works like a detective to determine the most likely trigger.” Focused allergy testing or a course of trigger elimination may also help clarify the specific cause.
Your dermatologist may prescribe a non-drowsy antihistamine to treat your hives. This medication blocks the effects of histamine, a chemical in the skin that causes allergy symptoms. If the trigger is obvious, your dermatologist will suggest ways to avoid or eliminate the cause – by avoiding certain foods, changing medications, staying away from pets, plants and pollen, or treating infections.
Hives are usually not life-threatening, but if your reaction includes swelling of your tongue or lips, or if you have trouble breathing, seek medical care immediately.
Contact Us
If you’re suffering from hives or if you have any concerns about skin care, the medical experts at Sanova Dermatology can help. Contact us today.