Hives are common.
Relief starts here.
A dermatologist can often recognize hives by looking at your skin. Finding the cause can take more investigation, especially when symptoms keep returning.
A skin reaction with more than one cause.
When a patient has hives, a dermatologist can often make the diagnosis by looking at the skin. Finding the cause, however, can sometimes be hard. This is especially true when hives have been around for more than six weeks.
A hive often goes away in 24 hours or less, but bouts can last longer. Chronic hives can come and go for months or years.
For most people, hives are not serious. Some people develop severe swelling known as angioedema, and hives can sometimes be a sign of an internal disease. If you have hives and trouble breathing or swallowing, get emergency care right away.
Help for itching and recurring hives.
No one antihistamine works for everyone. Your dermatologist may combine medicines to control symptoms and will discuss possible side effects.
Non-sedating antihistamines
The most common treatment for mild or moderate hives is an antihistamine that does not cause drowsiness. These medicines relieve symptoms such as itching.
Daily treatment for chronic hives
Your dermatologist may prescribe an antihistamine to take every day to prevent hives from forming. Some antihistamines cause drowsiness; others do not.
Combination treatment
An antihistamine may be combined with other medicines when it does not control hives on its own.
Short-term cortisones
Cortisones may be prescribed for short-term use only because long-term use can cause side effects.
Other prescription medicines
Dapsone, an antibacterial, and other medicines that fight inflammation may be used. Ask your dermatologist about benefits and possible side effects.
Emergency treatment
Some cases of hives or angioedema require epinephrine, a shot of adrenaline. Trouble breathing or swallowing calls for emergency care, not a routine appointment.
Not sure where to start? Start with a visit.
Look beyond the rash to find the cause.
Your dermatologist will review your health history, ask questions and perform a physical examination to help find what is causing your hives.
You may need allergy tests on the skin or blood, blood work to rule out an illness or infection, or a skin biopsy. For a biopsy, a small piece of affected skin is removed and examined under a microscope.
Know what to expect, and when to get help.
Finding the cause
- Review of your health history.
- Questions and a physical examination.
- Allergy testing or blood work when needed.
- Skin biopsy in some cases.
Discuss your plan
- No one antihistamine works for everyone.
- Some medicines may make you drowsy.
- Chronic hives may need daily medicine.
- Ask about possible side effects.
When not to wait
- Hives with trouble breathing: get emergency care.
- Hives with trouble swallowing: get emergency care.
- Severe swelling can be angioedema.
- Do not wait for a routine appointment with these symptoms.
Answers are one call or one visit away.
Symptoms can come and go. Care can help.
A few people have chronic hives lasting more than six weeks. Sometimes these go away on their own, often within a year. For others, they come and go for months or years. Children may outgrow the allergies that cause their hives.
Your dermatologist can help investigate the cause and discuss treatment. For hives with difficulty breathing or swallowing, seek emergency care immediately.
Medical Dermatology
Board-certified dermatologists treating the full range of skin, hair and nail conditions across seven Hampton Roads locations.
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For evaluation of recurring hives, call (757) 622-6315 or schedule an appointment. If hives occur with trouble breathing or swallowing, get emergency care right away.
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