Hives for Metro Detroit, Farmington Hills, MI | Allergy & Asthma Institute of Southeast Michigan | Pediatric and Adult Allergists & Allergy and Immunology

Hives services offered in Metro Detroit, Farmington Hills, MI

Hives appear in response to allergies, irritants, pressure on your skin, and numerous health conditions, causing extremely itchy welts that may come and go for years. At Allergy & Asthma Institute of Southeast Michigan Chad W. Mayer, DO, FAAAAI, FAAP provides the care you need to get relief from the itching and prevent regular flare-ups. If you need symptom relief or advanced care for chronic hives, call the office in Farmington Hills, Michigan, or request an appointment online today.

What are hives?

Hives (urticaria) are itchy welts that appear on your skin. The red or pink, swollen areas suddenly develop anywhere on your body. The welts can be any size, from a single, round, small hive to many welts that run together and cover large areas of the body.

What symptoms do hives cause?

Hives have one primary symptom: extreme itching. Though hives seldom cause pain, they often appear alongside a painful condition: angioedema. Angioedema occurs when fluids build up under the skin, causing swollen, red skin and pain.

What causes hives?

Many people develop hives during an allergic reaction. The allergens that often cause hives include:

Pollen
Food
Poison ivy
Insect venom
Medications
Latex

Hives can also develop in response to health conditions and other triggers.

Acute hives often develop due to:

Viral infections
Food allergies
Drug allergies
Adverse drug reactions

Chronic hives may occur without a known reason. However, they’re also caused by:

Thyroid disease
Chronic stress
Mast cell disorders
Autoimmune conditions
Changes in body temperature
Exposure to sunlight
Contact and pressure

Some people end up with hives through direct skin stimulation — contact and pressure — such as using an ice pack, wearing a tight belt, or clapping their hands. You could also develop hives after scratching your skin; a condition called dermographism.

How are hives treated?

If your provider suspects allergies trigger your hives, they run allergy testing and recommend treatment based on the type of allergy and the severity of your symptoms.

A mild, acute case of hives may only need medication or a topical lotion to control the itching while they run their course. Chronic hives need more intensive treatment.

Your provider may prescribe antihistamines or anti-inflammatory medications to reduce inflammation and stop itching caused by chronic hives. If those medications don’t help, you may be a good candidate for Xolair®, a self-injectable medication for treating chronic hives.

If you need relief from the itching caused by hives, call Allergy & Asthma Institute of Southeast Michigan, or book online today.

We offer treatment for food allergies, including Oral immunotherapy (OIT) and Xolair treatment. Dr. Mayer has been practicing these treatments for over 20 years. Call us to book your appointment today.

We offer fully customizable treatment for food allergies, including Oral Immunotherapy (OIT) and Sublingual Immunotherapy (SLIT) exclusively or in tandem with Xolair. Dr. Mayer has been treating food allergies for over 20 years and was one of the first providers to incorporate Xolair into successful food allergy treatments. Call us to book your appointment today.