Hives in Brick and Wall, NJ, are an allergic reaction to something your body doesn’t like. They can be acute or chronic. Dr. Chirag Patel and Dr. Edward Fernandez of Ocean Allergy can help you treat your hives. About 20% of people will have hives at least once in their lives.
Hives are also known as urticaria. They can be red or flesh-colored bumps. If the hive is pressed, the center will turn white, which can help you identify if what you are seeing is actually hives.
Acute Hives
Acute hives come on quite suddenly and usually last less than six weeks. The welts are usually gone within minutes or hours. They may appear alone or with angioedema. Hives are generally itchy, and they may also cause a burning sensation. Acute haves can happen to people of any age and any race. It does not discriminate.
The cause is not always obvious, but it may be:
- An acute viral infection
- An acute bacterial infection
- A food allergy
- Drug-induced hives
- A reaction to a drug that’s not an immune reaction
- Bee or wasp sting
- A vaccination
- Contact hives
A severe reaction can lead to anaphylaxis, and this is life-threatening. Get medical help immediately. A second-generation antihistamine is usually the normal course of action for acute hives and should provide relief rather quickly. It is important to determine the cause of the reaction, and your allergist should undertake this.
Chronic hives
Chronic hives in Brick and Wall, NJ, are usually idiopathic, meaning the cause is unknown. They must occur daily for more than six weeks to be chronic.
Chronic hives have been connected to H. pylori, chronic autoimmune diseases, and lymphoma. They may be aggravated by tight-fitting clothing, heat, and drug or food allergies.
Some people who suffer from chronic hives also report other symptoms including:
- Headaches
- Fatigue
- Joint pain
- Flushing
- Palpitation
- Wheezing
- Gastrointestinal symptoms
The treatment for chronic hives is pretty much the same as for acute hives: second-generation antihistamines. If the initial dosage doesn’t produce results, it may need to be increased. It would be best to avoid known triggers.
Finding the cause is essential but not always easy. The most common treatments are treating H. pylori if it is present and determining what foods may cause it.
Overcome Hives Today
Dr. Patel and Dr. Fernandez of Ocean Allergy can help identify and treat acute or chronic hives in Brick and Wall, NJ.
To schedule an appointment, call the office you want to visit:
Brick, NJ: (732) 458-2000
Wall, NJ: (732) 681-8700