Hives

One minute your skin is clear. The next, itchy welts seem to appear out of nowhere.

Hives (also called urticaria) are raised, itchy welts that can develop anywhere on the body. They often appear suddenly and may disappear within hours, only to show up somewhere else. While hives can be alarming, they are usually temporary and often respond well to treatment.

Why Did I Suddenly Break Out in Hives?

One of the most common questions we hear is, “What caused this?” Unfortunately, there isn’t always a simple answer.

Hives can be triggered by:

Foods
Medications
Viral illnesses or infections
Insect stings or bites
Heat, cold, or pressure on the skin
Exercise
Stress

Sometimes, despite a careful evaluation, no specific trigger is ever identified.

What Do Hives Look Like?

Hives are raised, itchy welts that can vary in size and shape. They may appear anywhere on the body and often seem to move, fading in one area while new welts develop somewhere else.

Individual hives usually disappear within 24 hours, although new ones may continue to appear for several days or longer.

How Are Hives Treated?

The good news is that most patients experience significant relief with the right treatment plan. Treatment depends on what’s causing your hives, how severe they are, and how long they’ve been present. Our goal is to relieve the itching, reduce inflammation, and help prevent future flare-ups.

Treatment options may include:

Oral antihistamines to help control itching and reduce hives
Prescription-strength topical corticosteroids for localized inflammation
Oral corticosteroids, such as prednisone, for more severe outbreaks
Prescription medications to help relieve persistent itching
Identifying and avoiding potential triggers whenever possible

If a medication, food, or underlying medical condition is suspected, additional evaluation or an elimination strategy may be recommended. In some cases, this requires coordination with your primary care provider or another specialist to safely identify the cause.

For patients with chronic or recurring hives, treatment often focuses on controlling symptoms, improving quality of life, and reducing future outbreaks.

When Should You See a Dermatologist?

Schedule an evaluation if:

Your hives last longer than six weeks.
They keep coming back.
Over-the-counter medications aren’t helping.
You’re unsure what’s causing them.
The itching is interfering with your daily activities or sleep.

Schedule an Appointment

Hives can be frustrating and unpredictable, but you don’t have to manage them alone. Our providers can help determine possible causes, recommend effective treatment, and develop a plan to help control future outbreaks.

Call (402) 933-0800 or book an appointment online today.

Patient Portal

Book Your Appointment