Hives look like bright swellings in the skin surrounded by a reddish inflammation and it itches. The challenge with hives is that it is often difficult to find the cause. It can be caused by an allergen, but it doesn't have to be this.
Our dermatologists can now help you with hives through an image consultation.
Our dermatologists can assist you with urticaria through a remote image consultation.
Photo consultation 495,–Urticaria, also known as hives, is a skin reaction that can occur due to infection, allergies, physical irritants, heat, cold, insect bites, medications, or dietary supplements. The rash can appear on small areas of the skin or spread all over the body. It develops quickly, causes intense itching, and often moves around.
Urticaria, or hives, is classified into acute urticaria, which lasts for less than 6 weeks, and chronic urticaria, characterized by at least two outbreaks per week for more than 6 weeks. Approximately 15-20% of the population will experience urticaria at some point in their lives, most commonly before the age of 30.
The symptoms vary from person to person and from episode to episode. Generally, the following can be experienced:
The most common treatment for hives is to make sure that the medication, food or anything else you have taken is the background for the outbreak.
After this, tablets with antihistamines are given. There are different types and the doctor will make sure to give you the right one.
For severe or recurrent hives, especially if it causes a deeper inflammation called angioedema, there is more powerful medicine. You can ask your doctor about immunosuppressive drugs or the newer biological drugs.
If you experience a rash as described above, it is advisable to consult a doctor for an examination. The doctor will conduct a thorough interview with you to try to determine the underlying cause of the rash. This can be challenging, and the cause of urticaria is not always found.
The doctor will also examine the rash, and in most cases, this is sufficient to make a diagnosis. Additional tests are rarely necessary for the examination of urticaria. If it seems that the rash was caused by an allergic reaction, there may be an indication to undergo allergy testing, including a blood test and a skin prick test, to determine what you reacted to.
In the case of chronic urticaria, further blood tests may be conducted to investigate if there is another underlying condition triggering the skin reaction.
At Dr.Dropin you can come to experienced dermatologists who can diagnose and treat all skin disorders. Dr.Dropin is committed to offering good skin services at a fixed and predictable price, and with a short waiting time.
For assessment and treatment of hives, you can book an appointment for a physical consultation, or get help through a video or image consultation.
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Hives, also known as urticaria, are a skin reaction that causes itchy, red welts or hives on the skin. These can appear anywhere on the body and can move around.
Hives, also known as urticaria, are a skin reaction that causes itchy, red welts or hives on the skin. These can appear anywhere on the body and can move around.
Generally, hives (urticaria) are not dangerous. They are simply a reaction in the top layer of the skin to something that irritated the body at that moment. The itching can be extremely bothersome, but it is not dangerous.
However, in some cases, swelling of the mucous membranes in the mouth, throat, genital area, abdomen, and intestines may occur. This can potentially be dangerous if it causes airway obstruction. This is very rare. If this happens, it is important to call emergency services immediately (in Norway, dial 113) for prompt assistance.
Generally, hives (urticaria) are not dangerous. They are simply a reaction in the top layer of the skin to something that irritated the body at that moment. The itching can be extremely bothersome, but it is not dangerous.
However, in some cases, swelling of the mucous membranes in the mouth, throat, genital area, abdomen, and intestines may occur. This can potentially be dangerous if it causes airway obstruction. This is very rare. If this happens, it is important to call emergency services immediately (in Norway, dial 113) for prompt assistance.
Yes, it is possible to get hives again if you have had them before. It is often triggered by the same cause, so if you had hives after eating apples, being bitten by a mosquito, or having a streptococcal throat infection, for example, it is likely that you may develop a rash if exposed to the same trigger again. Therefore, it is advisable to try to avoid it if possible.
Yes, it is possible to get hives again if you have had them before. It is often triggered by the same cause, so if you had hives after eating apples, being bitten by a mosquito, or having a streptococcal throat infection, for example, it is likely that you may develop a rash if exposed to the same trigger again. Therefore, it is advisable to try to avoid it if possible.
Generally, no. Urticaria is often triggered by factors such as heat, cold, infection, or food, for which there is no vaccine. However, if you have developed hives after contact with grass, for example, it may be possible to receive a vaccine for grass allergy.
Generally, no. Urticaria is often triggered by factors such as heat, cold, infection, or food, for which there is no vaccine. However, if you have developed hives after contact with grass, for example, it may be possible to receive a vaccine for grass allergy.
In most cases, hives resolve on their own, but the intense itching leads people to seek medical help to find relief.
In most cases, hives resolve on their own, but the intense itching leads people to seek medical help to find relief.
A person who has had hives often has slightly more sensitive skin, which can be inherited. However, just because a parent has had hives does not necessarily mean their child will have the same condition.
A person who has had hives often has slightly more sensitive skin, which can be inherited. However, just because a parent has had hives does not necessarily mean their child will have the same condition.
Hives can be triggered by a variety of factors, including:
Allergies (food, medication, insect stings)
Infections
Heat or cold
Stress
Physical irritation
Underlying medical conditions
Hives can be triggered by a variety of factors, including:
Allergies (food, medication, insect stings)
Infections
Heat or cold
Stress
Physical irritation
Underlying medical conditions
Hives can last from a few hours to several weeks. Acute urticaria lasts less than 6 weeks, while chronic urticaria can last for months or years.
Hives can last from a few hours to several weeks. Acute urticaria lasts less than 6 weeks, while chronic urticaria can last for months or years.
See a doctor if:
✔️ The hives are severe or persist for more than a few days
✔️ You have swelling in your face or neck
✔️ You have breathing difficulties
See a doctor if:
✔️ The hives are severe or persist for more than a few days
✔️ You have swelling in your face or neck
✔️ You have breathing difficulties
Andersen, K.E., Lomholt, H. B., Thestrup-Pedersen, K., Wulf, H.C., (2018), Klinisk dermatologi og venerologi, Oslo: Gyldendal Norsk Forlag AS, side 77-79.
Hunskår, S., (2017), Allmennmedisin, Oslo: Gyldendal Norsk Forlag AS, side 582-584
Norsk Elektronisk Legehåndbok, (2019), Urtikaria og angioødem, (online), tilgjengelig fra: https://legehandboka.no/handboken/kliniske-kapitler/hud/tilstander-og-sykdommer/erytemer/urtikaria-og-angioodem/, hentet: 24.06.2020.