Tired of Suffering from Uncomfortable and Embarrassing Hives? An Allergy Specialist Can Remedy Your Breakouts

If you’re tired of feeling discomfort (or embarrassment) from a sudden breakout of hives, it’s time to book an appointment with an allergist. Those raised bumps, blotchy red spots, or an itchy patch of skin are your body’s way of telling you something is up, literally.

Hives, also known as urticaria, are red, swollen, itchy areas of skin, varying in size that cover extensive areas of your body. They form when blood plasma leaks through tiny areas between the cells that line small blood vessels in your skin and can migrate in different areas throughout the course of the reaction.

But if hives pop up on your skin periodically, you’re not alone. Acute urticaria will occur in up to 24 percent of the U.S. population at some point in their lives. Chronic urticaria lasts longer than six weeks. Urticaria is commonly caused by an allergic reaction to:

Food

The most common foods associated with hives are peanuts, tree nuts, milk, egg, and fish.

If food is a trigger, hives typically appear within 90 minutes of eating.

Medicines

Any medication can cause hives, including prescriptions as well as over-the-counter drugs, supplements, herbs, and vitamins.

An insect sting

Some people are sensitive to insect sting and may find they have localized hives for several days after a sting.

Infections

Illness or a viral infection can sometimes cause hives to occur even after obvious symptoms of your infection have been resolved.

Temperature changes

Sometimes a physical element might be to blame for your unexpected hive breakout.

• Solar uticaria is when hives appear on sun-exposed parts of your body.
• Cold urticaria occurs when hives appear on skin that’s been warmed after being in the cold.
• Colinergic urticaria is when hives result after physical activity.
• Dermatographism is a reaction that occurs after firmly stroking or scratching your skin. It can appear with other forms of hives and affects about 5 percent of the population.

Managing treatment for hives

Treatment starts with pinpointing the root cause of your body’s reaction. That’s where Allergy & Asthma Specialists ^SM can help. Their team of board-certified allergists identifies the cause of your hives, determines if they are acute or chronic, and creates a treatment plan.

First, schedule an examination with Allergy & Asthma Specialists ^SMAllergists will discuss your medical history and conduct a thorough physical exam to determine the cause of your hives. In some cases, allergy specialists will conduct a skin test that reveals the triggers of your hives.

Then, discuss your treatment options with the board-certified allergy specialists. Common treatment options are avoidance of your triggers, antihistamines, or a prescribed steroid.

For more information on how Allergy & Asthma Specialists ^SM is there to help treat your allergy symptoms when they pop up visit them online. To schedule an appointment call 1-800-86-COUGH, ext. 2, or book online by clicking here.