Hives, also known as urticaria, are raised, itchy areas of skin that can appear suddenly. They can be little bumps, bigger swollen areas or welts and can change shape, move around the body or appear in different places.
We offer private consultations for hives, recurrent rashes or suspected allergic skin reactions. Your clinician will review your symptoms, identify possible triggers and determine the best treatment or next step to take.
Hives can vary in size and appearance. They may be red, pink or skin-coloured, and redness can be harder to see on darker skin tones. The rash is often very itchy and may feel warm, raised or swollen.
Some people have hives for a short time after a clear trigger, while others experience repeated episodes without an obvious cause. Your clinician can help review the pattern and decide whether further investigation is needed.
Hives are the result of the body dumping chemicals, such as histamine, into the skin. This may be due to allergies, infections, heat, cold, pressure on the skin, stress, exercise, certain foods, alcohol or medication.
Sometimes the trigger is easy to find, but often it is not clear. Your clinician will ask about recent illness, new foods, medicines, supplements, skincare products, insect bites, travel, stress and any previous allergic reactions.
A private consultation for hives may be useful if the rash is uncomfortable, keeps returning or is hard to control with pharmacy treatments, and it will be especially useful if you have:
A visit may help determine if the rash is more likely to be hives or if another skin condition should be considered.
Some hives are short-lived and settle within days. Others may return repeatedly or continue for several weeks. Recurrent hives can be frustrating because the rash may appear suddenly and disappear before the appointment.
Photos of the rash can be very helpful if the skin looks normal by the time you are seen. Your clinician may also ask how long each patch lasts, whether it leaves bruising or marks, and whether there are any symptoms elsewhere in the body.
Not every case of hives is caused by an allergy. However, if symptoms appear soon after eating a particular food, taking a medicine, being stung, using a product or being exposed to a known trigger, allergy may need to be considered.
Your clinician will review your medical history carefully and decide whether allergy testing, medication review or referral is appropriate. The aim is to avoid unnecessary restrictions while still taking genuine allergy concerns seriously. We offer Allergy Testing in our Cobham Clinic in Surrey.
Hives can sometimes happen with deeper swelling, known as angioedema. This may affect the lips, eyelids, tongue, throat or other areas.
If you have swelling of the tongue or throat, difficulty breathing, wheezing, dizziness, collapse, confusion or feel you may be having a severe allergic reaction, seek emergency medical help immediately. These symptoms should not wait for a routine appointment.
Avoid scratching during a flare-up to prevent further irritation. Cool compresses, loose clothing and avoiding heat might be helpful for some patients.
Keeping a symptom diary may also be useful, especially if the hives return regularly. Keeping a record of food, medication, stress, exercise, infections, menstrual cycle, alcohol and environmental exposure may help to identify a pattern over time.
Hives can feel worrying because they often appear suddenly and can be difficult to explain. A medical review can help you understand what may be happening and whether treatment, monitoring or referral is needed.
We provide private hives consultations in a calm and supportive setting. Your clinician will help you manage symptoms safely and guide you on when further medical attention may be needed.
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