Hives Treatment in Washington, DC

What Are Hives?

Hives, medically known as urticaria, are raised areas of the skin that often cause itching. They can vary in size and shape and may appear as individual welts or larger areas that join together.

Hives can appear suddenly and may disappear within hours, although new areas may develop as others fade.

Hives can affect people of all ages and skin tones.

What Do Hives Look Like?

Hives may appear as:

• Raised welts or bumps
• Pink, red, or skin-colored areas
• Areas that change in size or shape
• Individual spots or larger patches
• Itchy or burning areas of skin

The appearance of hives can vary depending on a person's skin tone. On darker skin, changes in color may be less noticeable, while the raised texture and itching may be more apparent.

What Causes Hives?

Hives can develop for many different reasons. Possible triggers include:

• Certain foods
• Medications
• Infections
• Insect bites or stings
• Physical pressure or friction
• Heat or cold
• Exercise
• Stress
• Other environmental triggers

In some cases, no specific trigger can be identified.

Because many different factors can cause hives, identifying possible triggers and understanding the pattern of symptoms can be helpful during a dermatologic evaluation.

Acute vs. Chronic Hives

Hives may be classified based on how long they continue to occur.

Acute hives generally occur for a limited period and may develop in response to an identifiable trigger, infection, medication, food, or another event.

Chronic hives continue to recur over a longer period. In many cases, a specific trigger may not be identified.

The evaluation and treatment approach may vary depending on how frequently hives occur and how long symptoms have been present.

Hives and Skin of Color

Hives can affect people of every skin tone. On darker skin, the redness associated with hives may be less noticeable, which can sometimes make the condition more difficult to recognize.

Dr. Holmes considers the patient's skin tone, symptoms, skin texture, and individual characteristics when evaluating hives and other inflammatory skin conditions.

Learn more about Dermatology for Skin of Color in Washington, DC →

When Should You See a Dermatologist for Hives?

Consider scheduling a dermatology evaluation if you experience:

• Hives that keep coming back
• Persistent or worsening itching
• Hives without an obvious cause
• Symptoms that interfere with sleep or daily activities
• Reactions that occur repeatedly after certain exposures
• Hives that do not improve with appropriate treatment
• Swelling associated with recurring hives

A dermatologist can help evaluate the pattern of your symptoms and determine whether additional evaluation or treatment may be appropriate.

Seek emergency medical care if hives occur with difficulty breathing, difficulty swallowing, or significant swelling of the lips, tongue, or throat.

How Are Hives Diagnosed?

Hives are generally diagnosed through a dermatologic examination and discussion of your symptoms and medical history.

Dr. Holmes may consider:

• When the hives first appeared
• How long individual welts last
• Where they appear
• Whether they move from one area to another
• Possible food, medication, environmental, or physical triggers
• Other symptoms that occur with the hives
• Your medical and skin history

Additional evaluation may sometimes be recommended depending on the pattern of symptoms and suspected cause.

Hives Treatment Options

Treatment for hives depends on the severity, frequency, duration, and suspected cause of the symptoms.

Depending on your individual situation, treatment may include:

• Antihistamine medications
• Trigger identification and avoidance
• Prescription medications when appropriate
• Strategies to reduce skin irritation
• Additional treatment for persistent or recurrent hives

Dr. Holmes will evaluate your symptoms and recommend an individualized treatment approach based on your needs.

How Can Hives Be Managed?

Managing hives may involve identifying and avoiding known triggers when possible.

Your dermatologist may also recommend:

• Keeping track of possible triggers
• Avoiding known irritants
• Wearing comfortable clothing
• Avoiding excessive heat when it worsens symptoms
• Using treatments as directed
• Following up if hives continue to recur

Because triggers can vary from person to person, keeping a record of when hives occur may help identify patterns.

Hives vs. Other Skin Conditions

Hives can sometimes be confused with other types of rashes or skin conditions.

Unlike many rashes, individual hives typically appear and fade relatively quickly, although new welts may develop in other areas.

Other conditions, including dermatitis, allergic reactions, insect bites, and other inflammatory skin conditions, may cause similar symptoms.

If you're unsure whether your symptoms are hives, a dermatologic evaluation can help determine the likely cause.

Learn more about Rash Treatment →

Frequently Asked Questions About Hives

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Why Choose Dr. Holmes for Hives Treatment

Meet Dr. Yolanda C. Holmes

Dr. Yolanda C. Holmes is a board-certified dermatologist with more than 34 years of experience serving patients in Washington, DC.

She provides individualized evaluation and treatment for hives and other skin conditions. Dr. Holmes considers each patient's symptoms, possible triggers, skin characteristics, and medical history when developing a treatment plan.

With a focus on skin of color, Dr. Holmes considers how inflammatory skin conditions may appear across different skin tones.

Learn more about Dr. Holmes →