Hives (Urticaria)
This page covers hives, also called urticaria — Asthma & Allergy Care, P.C. treats both adults and children across our New Jersey offices.
What Hives Are
Hives are raised, itchy welts on the skin. They can appear anywhere on the body and often move around, fading in one place and appearing in another.
Hives can come and go over hours, days or weeks. Ongoing or recurring hives are worth having evaluated.
Asthma & Allergy Care, P.C. evaluates and treats hives in adults and children across our New Jersey offices.
Symptoms to Watch For
These are common signs of hives. If you notice any of these, it's worth having them evaluated.
Raised welts that may be pale or red
Itching, sometimes severe
Welts that fade in one place and appear in another
Welts that come and go over days or weeks
Swelling beneath the skin alongside the welts
Symptoms that are worse at night
How We Evaluate It
Evaluating hives starts with understanding you as an individual. We use these methods:
A Full History
We start by talking with you about your symptoms, when they appear, and anything you may have been exposed to.
A Physical Examination
A hands-on exam helps us understand your symptoms and rule out other causes.
Allergy Skin Testing, Where Relevant
If an allergy may be involved, we may recommend allergy skin testing to identify triggers.
Blood Testing, Where Appropriate
In some cases, blood testing can help us understand what may be contributing to your symptoms.
How We Treat It
Our approach to treating hives includes:
Managing Medication
We help you manage medication to reduce your symptoms and keep flares under control.
Identifying and Avoiding Triggers
We work with you to identify the trigger or triggers involved and how to avoid them.
Allergy Shots, Where Appropriate
When appropriate, allergy shots, given as injections, may be part of your treatment plan.
An Individual Treatment Plan
We build a treatment plan specific to you and review it with you over time.
What to Expect at Your First Visit
A little preparation makes your first visit go smoothly.
Plan for a Longer Visit
Your first appointment takes longer than a routine visit, so we can take a full history and get to know you.
Bring Your Insurance Card
Please bring your insurance card, along with any referral your plan requires.
Bring a Medication List
A list of the medications you currently take helps us understand your full picture.
Complete Forms in Advance
You can save time by completing your forms in advance from our Patient Forms page. Visit Patient Forms