Hives, also known as urticaria, are itchy, raised, red welts that occur when your body reacts to an allergen. Hives can vary in size, shape, and can occur anywhere on your body. Hives usually last less than 24 hours, also new hives can appear as old ones fade. Typically, breakouts of hives last for a few days. However, if you hives that last longer than 6 weeks, you may have chronic hives.
Common Causes and Triggers for Hives
Some of the common triggers for hives include:
- Foods such as milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, and shellfish
- Insect bites and stings
- Animal dancer
- Pollen
- Latex
- Chemicals
- Medication
- Stress
- Exercise
- Sun exposure
Hives Testing and Treatment
Our team of specialists at Columbia Allergy offers comprehensive allergy testing to determine the cause of your hives. This may include skin prick tests, patch tests, intradermal tests, and food challenges.
Your provider at Columbia Allergy will create a customized plan to reduce or prevent future breakouts of hives. This plan may include medications, injectable biologics, oral immunotherapy (OIT), sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT), or subcutaneous immunotherapy (allergy shots). You may even be a candidate for ultrasound-guided intralymphatic immunotherapy (ILIT) at our office in Fremont, CA!
If you are suffering from hives, call your nearest location or schedule an appointment online today!