Urticaria, also known as hives, appears as swollen, pale red bumps or plaques on the skin. These hives can occur as an allergic reaction or for any other unknown reason. Hives are a common skin problem that can occur anywhere on the body, including the face, ears, lips, tongue, and throat.
While hives are common and can be treated easily at home, our team of dermatologists at Tamjidi Skin Institute can help determine what is causing your hives and recommend the best treatment option for you. If you have hives that you are concerned about, be sure to schedule an appointment with our team!
What Causes Urticaria?
It can be difficult to determine what causes hives. Often times, hives form in response to histamine, which is a chemical that is released from specialized cells along the skin’s blood vessels. When this chemical is released, blood plasma leaks out of the small blood vessels. The release of histamine can be caused by chemicals in certain foods, allergic reactions, insect stings, sunlight exposure, or medications.
There are several different types of hives, which include:
- Acute urticaria - Hives that last less than six weeks.
- Chronic urticaria - Hives that last more than six weeks.
- Physical urticaria - Hives caused by direct physical stimulation of the skin.
- Dermatographism - Hives caused by firmly scratching of stroking the skin.
Each type of hive comes with different symptoms, but if you also experience dizziness, wheezing, difficulty breathing, or swelling of the lips, tongue, or face with your hives, you should contact your doctor.
Finding the diagnosis for urticaria can be difficult, but figure out what is triggering your hives, can help make treatment and prevention simpler.
The best treatment for hives is to find and remove the trigger, however, this can be a tricky task. Antihistamines can be prescribed to help relieve symptoms. Oral corticosteroids, a biologic drug, an injection of epinephrine, or cortisone medication can be used to treat more severe forms of hives.
If you are unsure why you have developed hives and want to find the right treatment for you, be sure to contact Tamjidi Skin Institute in Chevy Chase or Vienna. Our skilled dermatologists will be able to help you determine what is causing your hives and the best treatment option for you.