What Are Hives

If you have ever known people who have allergies, you have probably heard of hives but what are hives.. Hives is a skin reaction that forms raised bumps or welts on the skin. It is usually caused by an allergy. If you ever get hives, it is important to see an allergist to discover what you are allergic to and get treatment. For severe cases of hives, an emergency room visit might be necessary.

Is It An Allergy?

When you get hives, your priority is to discover the cause of those hives so that it can be avoided in the future. Although there are a few other things that can cause hives, the most common culprit is allergies. To discover if you have an allergy, you should see an allergist. They will take a medical history, ask you questions about your lifestyle, and formulate a possible list of allergens.

Once a list of allergens has been made, the allergist will use patch testing to determine if you have an allergy to them. The allergen is put into a patch that is placed on the skin for 24 hours to discover if there is a skin reaction. A very small amount of the allergen is used for testing, so that the reaction will not be severe.

Treatment

The most common treatment for a case of hives is antihistamines. Antihistamines will relieve most allergy symptoms. While these medications may not fully end the hives, it will be able to at least decrease their size and itchiness. There are some over-the-counter medications and creams that can also be used to treat hives.

The best way to deal with hives is to avoid what caused them in the first place. This is why allergy testing is so important. If you have recently had hives and you don’t know the cause, contact us today for more information or to schedule your initial appointment.