Urticaria (Hives)
What are Hives? (What is Urticaria?)
Urticaria (Hives) are raised, mostly itchy, red welts on the skin. They can be an allergic reaction to food or medicine. When you have an allergic reaction, your immune system is triggered to release histamines into the blood stream to fight off the allergen. The resulting symptoms are the itching, swelling, and bumps on the skin. Hives are common in people with other allergies, such as hay fever.
Symptoms of Hives
Almost anything can cause hives, including, but not limited to:
Severe Allergic Reaction
In severe cases of allergic reaction Anaphylaxis occurs, which causes breathing difficulty. If you experience a severe allergic reaction, get medical care immediately. Once you are treated, you can visit us and we will work to try to identify the cause of the reaction and what the best treatment options are.
Diagnosing Hives
It is important to properly diagnose any allergy, as different allergies have different complications and treatment.
Urticaria is diagnosed by obtaining a complete and thorough history, completing a physical exam, and lab work as needed.
Treating Hives (Urticaria)
Once you've been diagnosed with Urticaria we at Advancements in Allergy work closely with you to develop a strategy that works for you in treating and maintaining optimal personal health so you can feel better and therefore live better.
Urticaria (Hives) are raised, mostly itchy, red welts on the skin. They can be an allergic reaction to food or medicine. When you have an allergic reaction, your immune system is triggered to release histamines into the blood stream to fight off the allergen. The resulting symptoms are the itching, swelling, and bumps on the skin. Hives are common in people with other allergies, such as hay fever.
Symptoms of Hives
- Itchy skin
- Swelling of the skin into red welts (wheals) with defined edges. They may be white in the center.
Almost anything can cause hives, including, but not limited to:
- Stress
- Hormonal, chmical, or metabolic reactions
- Animal Dander
- Insect Bites
- Medications
- Pollen
- Viruses or other illnesses
- Shellfish, eggs, milk, and other allergy foods
Severe Allergic Reaction
In severe cases of allergic reaction Anaphylaxis occurs, which causes breathing difficulty. If you experience a severe allergic reaction, get medical care immediately. Once you are treated, you can visit us and we will work to try to identify the cause of the reaction and what the best treatment options are.
Diagnosing Hives
It is important to properly diagnose any allergy, as different allergies have different complications and treatment.
Urticaria is diagnosed by obtaining a complete and thorough history, completing a physical exam, and lab work as needed.
Treating Hives (Urticaria)
Once you've been diagnosed with Urticaria we at Advancements in Allergy work closely with you to develop a strategy that works for you in treating and maintaining optimal personal health so you can feel better and therefore live better.