Hives treatment by knowledgeable & experienced Doctors. Allergy & Asthma Consultants has 4 convenient locations in the Atlanta metro area for hives treatment.
Hives, (medically known as urticaria) are red, itchy, raised welts on the skin that appear in varying shapes and sizes; each one characteristically lasts no longer than six to 12 hours.
Often, they are the result of an allergic reaction. Some patients suffer from a chronic version of urticaria that occurs almost daily for months or years.
Hives can change size rapidly and move around, disappearing in one place and reappearing in other places, often in a matter of hours.
Oral H1 antihistamines (Benadryl, Zyrtec, Allegra, etc) are the most common first line of hives treatment, followed by antacids like Pepcid and Zantac which are H2 antihistamine, followed by Singulair an antileukotriene, and the if necessary oral steroids. In severe intractable cases the powerful Biologic drug Xolair may be required for effective hives treatment.
Hives may be triggered by allergic reactions to medications, foods or other substances, or by viral infections, water, sun, physical exercise or temperature extremes as well as a long list of other possible causes that our doctors will go over with you. Sometimes no cause is found, and the hives are labeled as chronic idiopathic urticaria. Fortunately, Xolair will work for this condition.
For more information, see our skin allergies page.
