You know those small, red bumps that appear all of a sudden on your skin and make your skin feel rough? Those are what you call skin hives, or medically, urticaria, as the condition is known in medicine. Skin hives could happen as a response to your body’s reaction against external pollutants toxins or increased cortisol levels. If you don’t know the exact reason of your skin hives and are unable to detect the causing factors, maybe it’s time for you to contact a Dermatologist in Southlake, TX for accurate diagnosis and treatment. Whether you need to visit a dermatologist immediately for skin hives shall be covered later in this article. Here’s what you should know about urticaria.
How does it affect me?
You would notice red bumps on certain parts of the skin, depending on the part that was exposed to an external cause and that could cause burning or itching. Hives can appear anywhere on your body – your face, hands, throat, and even your tongue or lips. Ouch! You know when it gets extremely uncomfortable and you are unable to eat, you should contact a Dermatologist in Southlake, TX as soon as possible.
You may discover hives in different sizes and colors. The color could change as the condition progresses or heals. They form plaques if they join together and the entire lifecycle could last for hours or one day before the healing process begins.
Skin hives result when small blood vessels cause blood plasma to leak out and release histamine chemical. There are various factors that could cause histamine to be activated, such as prolonged sun exposure, insect bites, food allergies or certain types of foods and medications. Given the range of factors that could result in skin hives, it is a tricky task to single out a factor for skin hives.
How long do they last?
- The ones that result from certain types of foods, insect bites, diseases, or infections could take up to six weeks to heal. The type of foods that you should be careful about include chocolate, nuts, and milk. This is NOT to say that you should stop taking these foods altogether as they have certain health benefits. Contact a Dermatologist in Southlake, TX for an accurate examination of your condition and what you should avoid. Some medicines like pain killers, blood pressure control and aspirin may also cause hives. Visit a Dermatologist in Southlake, TX to determine how you can fix the condition, what you should do next and what needs to be avoided.
- If your condition lasts more than six weeks, that’s when it becomes hard to detect the causing factor. In some cases, it could be a result of an internal disease or cancer. Therefore, rather than just taking it into your own hands and using home remedies, visit a Dermatologist in Southlake, TX for accurate examination.
- Skin hive could also appear on your skin due to exposure to heat, sun, cold or pressure.
How is it diagnosed?
You should make an appointment with a Dermatologist in Southlake, TX for diagnosis of your condition. The dermatologist would ask several questions to detect the possible cause of your skin hives. There are no tests for hives. The diagnosis depends on your medical history and a comprehensive examination. Your dermatologist may also perform skin tests to detect what you are allergic to. Blood tests could be used to determine whether you have a disease.
The dermatologist would identify the cause and guide you to abstain from it. You may be given temporary medication for relief but it is best to take them regularly to prevent hives from appearing on your skin. The dosage of course should be discussed with your dermatologist, especially if you are taking other drugs or are suffering from any illnesses.
When should you contact a dermatologist?
Look out for these signs and symptoms to contact Dermatologist in Southlake, TX:
- Swollen face, tongue or lips
- Breathing difficulties
- Wheezing
- Chest tightness
- Light-headedness
You should contact the doctor immediately if the symptoms last more than a few days, leave painful bruises, become worse over time, disrupt your daily activities, cause you to feel dizzy or when you face difficulties in breathing. Hives may develop into more severe condition – angioedema – which is internal swelling rather than inflammation that appears on the skin’s surface. Dermatologist in Southlake, TX can prescribe medication for relief. If you keep getting hives, you need to contact the doctor for permanent relief as hives can prevent you from carrying on in daily activities, make you feel stressed and lead to depression. If it is affecting your quality of life, contact Compassion Dermatology in Southlake, TX.
What could cause it?
- Increased cortisol levels indicate that you are stressed out. It lowers your immunity system, making you prone to hives. Strong emotions could lead to skin disorders. Stress hives may not last long but if they do, contact a dermatologist in Southlake, TX.
- Hives could also result from sweating, particularly if you have been exercising, exposed to heat for hours, and in a hot bath for too long. If this happens every time, contact a doctor.
- If you had been exposed to allergic substances, you may experience itching or burning on your skin. If there is no quick relief, contact a dermatologist in Southlake, TX.
- You may get an allergic reaction from certain foods or food additives. Even fuzzy, carbonated drinks are known to cause hives. Consult a dermatologist about your issues so that you can get a clear idea of how you should eat and what you should avoid.
- If you are wearing tight clothes, shift to slightly airy and lose clothes with light colors. Tight clothes cause you to sweat that clings on to your skin until you remove them. You would develop hives in places where there is more pressure from tight clothes. If you get them and they get worse over time, contact the doctor.