When a person has hives, their skin begins to develop welts that are itchy. These welts are caused by an allergic reaction. The welts that a person develops will appear, fade, and reappear as the condition runs its course. The condition is considered to be chronic if the welts appear, disappear, and reappear for more than six weeks. When a person is dealing with a chronic form of this condition, it can be a challenge for a dermatologist to identify the trigger for it.
Chronic hives can make it difficult for you to sleep and go about your daily activities. In some cases, itch medications and over-the-counter antihistamines provide some relief. However, if you want to get real pinpointed treatment for your condition, you should have your skin looked at by a dermatologist. They are going to be able to identify what it is that is affecting you and provide treatments based on scientific results, not just guessing.
How Do I Know if I Have Hives?
The best way to know for sure is to have a dermatologist or other skin care professional look at your skin. However, there are some symptoms that this condition frequently produces. Hives may be accompanied by swelling of your lips, swelling inside your throat, or swelling of your eyelids. It is likely that they will produce severe itching.
There may be certain things that trigger hives. For example, exercising, being in the heat, or being under severe stress are triggers for most people. Some just have one outbreak and that’s it. Other people seem to have recurrent outbreaks that happen at unpredictable times and that can last for just a few days or may last for years.
When Should I See a Dermatologist?
It may be difficult for you to determine on your own whether or not you have hives. You should see a dermatologist if your hives last for a number of days. In most cases, this condition does not put you at risk of having a serious allergic reaction. However, if you start to experience symptoms like dizziness, difficulty breathing or swelling in your eyelids, lips, or tongue, then you want to seek emergency care.
If your hives do not accompany a severe allergic reaction, a visit to a skin care professional may be a good way to identify what is triggering the condition and identify certain steps you can take to minimize the frequency of outbreaks.
Hives are not enjoyable. They rob you of your sleep, they can affect your self-esteem, and they can make life miserable. Are you interested in learning about the dermatologists at Dermatology Consultants of South Florida who can help you to address this condition? If so, please visit one of our locations in either Sunrise or Coral Springs, FL. Contact us today to schedule your consultation!