Hives Center - Cambridge, MA
Cambridge Dermatologist Doctors for HivesType of Physician: Dermatologist What is a Dermatologist? A certification by the Board of Dermatology; practitioners treat pediatric and adult patients with disorders of the skin, mouth, hair and nails as well as a number of sexually transmitted diseases. They also have expertise in the care of normal skin, the prevention of skin diseases and cancers, and in the management of cosmetic disorders of the skin such as hair loss and scars. Specialty: Dermatology Common Name: Skin Doctor Dermatologist Doctors in Cambridge * Boston University Medical Center Dermatology  Boston University Medical Center Dermatology  Boston University Medical Center Dermatology  Boston University Medical Center Dermatology  Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates Dermatology  Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates Dermatology  Rockoff Center  Beth Israel Deaconess Dermatology Dept  Children's Hospital Boston Allergy Immunology Dermatology Rheumatology  Beth Israel Deaconess Dermatology Dept  Beth Israel Deaconess Dermatology Dept  Dermatology Associates of Southern New Hampshire  Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Dermatologic Surgery Department  Children's Hospital Boston Allergy Immunology Dermatology Rheumatology  Children's Hospital Boston Allergy Immunology Dermatology Rheumatology  Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Dermatologic Surgery Department  Children's Hospital Boston Allergy Immunology Dermatology Rheumatology  Beth Israel Deaconess Dermatology Dept  Children's Hospital Boston Allergy Immunology Dermatology Rheumatology  Beth Israel Deaconess Dermatology Dept  Beth Israel Deaconess Dermatology Dept  Beth Israel Deaconess Dermatology Dept  Thomas S Kupper MD  Boston Center for Ambulatory Surgery  Harvard Institutes of Medicine Dermatology  Brigham Dermatology Associates  Brigham Dermatology Associates  Brigham Dermatology Associates  Oon Tian Tan MD  A Razzaque Ahmed MD  Canton Dermatology  Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates Dermatology  Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates Dermatology  Brookline Village Dermatology PC  MGH Dermatology  Dermatology Associates of Concord  Dermatology Associates of Concord  Dermatology Associates of Concord  Dermatology Associates of Concord  Dermatology Associates of Concord  Dermatology Associates of Concord  Dermatology Associates of Concord  Dermatology Associates of Concord  Dermatology Group  Dermatology Associates of MGH  Dermatology Associates of MGH  Associates In Dermatology  Dermatology Associates of MGH  Joseph C Kvedar MD  Dermatology Associates of MGH  Dermatology Associates of MGH  MGH Dermatology Surgical Unit  Dermatology Associates of MGH  Dermatology Associates of MGH  Stephen O Kovacs MD  Brookline Dermatology Associates  Dermatology Associates  Tufts Medical Center Dermatology  Boston University Medical Center Dermatology  Dermatology Associates  Tufts Medical Center Dermatology  Tufts Medical Center Dermatology  Boston University Medical Center Dermatology  Tufts Medical Center Dermatology  South Shore Skin Surgeons PC  Boston University Medical Center Dermatology  Tufts Medical Center Dermatology  Boston University Medical Center Dermatology  Boston University Medical Center Dermatology  South Shore Skin Surgeons PC  Tufts Medical Center Dermatology  Tufts Medical Center Dermatology  Boston University Medical Center Dermatology  Tufts Medical Center Dermatology  Tufts Medical Center Dermatology  Richard Brown MD  Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates Dermatology Allergy & Immunology  Mystic Valley Dermatology Associates PC  Mystic Valley Dermatology Associates PC  Mystic Valley Dermatology Associates PC  Mystic Valley Dermatology Associates PC  Associates In Dermatology  Boston Family Dermatology  Barry Paul MD  Barry Paul MD  Skincare Physicians  Skincare Physicians  Skincare Physicians  Skincare Physicians  Skincare Physicians  Skincare Physicians  The Dermatology & Laser Center  Kathleen M Greco MD  Associates of South Shore Dermatology  Associates of South Shore Dermatology  Centre Dermatology & Aesthetic Medicine  Centre Dermatology & Aesthetic Medicine  Centre Dermatology & Aesthetic Medicine  Marilyn R Capek MD  Robert J O'Brien Jr. MD & Associates Cambridge, MassachusettsUpcoming Local Events2012-06-10
2012-06-10
2012-06-16
2012-07-03
2012-07-28
2012-08-19
2012-09-22
2012-09-30
2012-10-21
2012-11-11
HivesWhat are hives (urticaria)?Hives (medically known as urticaria) are red, itchy, raised areas of skin that appear in varying shapes and sizes. They range in size from a few millimeters to several inches in diameter. Hives can be round, or they can form rings or large patches. Wheals (welts), red lesions with a red "flare" at the borders, are another manifestation of hives. Hives can occur anywhere on the body, such as the trunk, arms, and legs. It is estimated that 5% of all people will develop urticaria at some point in their lives. Hives are more common in women than in men. Of those with chronic hives (those lasting six weeks or more), some 80% are idiopathic, the medical term which means that no cause, allergic or otherwise, can be found. One hallmark of hives is their tendency to change size rapidly and to move around, disappearing in one place and reappearing in other places, often in a matter of hours. Individual hives usually last two to 24 hours. An outbreak that looks impressive, even alarming, first thing in the morning can be completely gone by noon, only to be back in full force later in the day. Very few, if any other skin diseases occur and then resolve so rapidly. Therefore, even if you have no evidence of hives to show the doctor when you get to the office for examination, he or she can often establish the diagnosis based upon the history of your symptoms. Because hives fluctuate so much and so fast, it is helpful to bring along a photograph of what the outbreak looked like at its worst. Swelling deeper in the skin that may accompany hives is called angioedema. This may be seen on the hands and feet as well as on mucous membranes (with swelling of the lips or eyes that can be as dramatic as it is brief.)
What causes hives?Hives are produced by histamine and other compounds released from cells called mast cells, which are a... Recommended Reading Related to HivesEczema facts
Other Related Hives ArticlesEmergency Contact for Cambridge
Nearby Cambridge Hospitals *Cambridge Hospital Youville Hospital and Rehabilitation Center M I T Medical Arbour HRI Hospital Mount Auburn Hospital Somerville Hospital Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Massachusetts Eye & Ear Infirmary Massachusetts General Hospital Children's Hospital Boston Dana Farber Cancer Institute Shriners Hospitals for Children Boston Burn Hospital Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital Brigham & Women's Hospital Franciscan Hospital for Children Kindred Hospital Boston Caritas St Elizabeth's Medical Center New England Baptist Hospital Tufts New England Medical Center Boston Medical Center VA Boston Healthcare System Jamaica Plain Campus Radius Specialty Hospital Boston Arbour Hospital Lawrence Memorial Hospital Whidden Memorial Hospital Lawrence F Quigley Memorial Hospital Lemuel Shattuck Hospital Faulkner Hospital Massachusetts Mental Health Center Hebrew Rehabilitation Center for the Aged McLean Hospital Bournewood Hospital Caritas Carney Hospital Melrose Wakefield Hospital Winchester Hospital VA Boston Healthcare System West Roxbury Campus HEALTHSOUTH New England Rehabilitation Hospital Newton Wellesley Hospital Milton Hospital Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital Needham Quincy Medical Center Lahey Clinic Medical Center North Shore Medical Center Braintree Rehabilitation Hospital Westwood Lodge Hospital Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital Kindred Specialty Hospital Natick MetroWest Medical Center Leonard Morse Hospital Massachusetts Hospital School Caritas Norwood Hospital Kindred Hospital Boston North Shore Salem Hospital & the Birthplace North Shore Children's Hospital Emerson Hospital Shaughnessy-Kaplan Rehabilitation Hospital Kindred Specialty Hospital Braintree New England Sinai Hospital & Rehabilitation Center South Shore Hospital MetroWest Medical Center Framingham Union Hospital Tewksbury Hospital Beverly Hospital Kindred Specialty Hospital Stoughton Caritas Good Samaritan Medical Center Isham Health Center Signature Healthcare Brockton Hospital Boston VA Healthcare System Brockton Saints Medical Center Lowell General Hospital HC Solomon Mental Health Center UMass Memorial Marlborough Hospital Lawrence General Hospital Baldpate Hospital Whittier Rehabilitation Hospital Westborough Caritas Holy Family Hospital and Medical Center Pembroke Hospital Featured Articles*Provider Directory Terms of Use: The WebMD 'Provider Directory' is provided by WebMD for use by the general public as a quick reference of information about Providers. The Provider Directory is not intended as a tool for verifying the credentials, qualifications, or abilities of any Provider contained therein. Inclusion in the Provider Directory does not imply recommendation or endorsement nor does omission in the Provider Directory imply WebMD disapproval. |
Suggested Reading on Hives by Our Doctors
-
Related Diseases & Conditions
10 articles-
Atopic Dermatitis
- Eczema is a general term for many types dermatitis (skin inflammation). Atopic dermatitis is the most common of the many types of eczema. Other types of eczema include: contact eczema, allergic contact eczema, seborrheic eczema, nummular eczema, stasis dermatitis, and. dyshidrotic eczema.
-
Rash
- The word "rash" means an outbreak of red bumps on the body. The way people use this term, "a rash" can refer to many different skin conditions. The most common of these are scaly patches of skin and red, itchy bumps or patches all over the place.
-
Allergy
- An allergy refers to a misguided reaction by our immune system in response to bodily contact with certain foreign substances. When these allergens come in contact with the body, it causes the immune system to develop an allergic reaction in people who are allergic to it. It is estimated that 50 million North Americans are affected by allergic conditions. The parts of the body that are prone to react to allergies include the eyes, nose, lungs, skin, and stomach. Common allergic disorders include hay fever, asthma, allergic eyes, allergic eczema, hives, and allergic shock.
-
Food Allergy
- The most common food allergies are to eggs, nuts, milk, peanuts, fish, shellfish, strawberries and tomatoes. Symptoms and signs include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, itching, hives, eczema, asthma, lightheadedness, and anaphylaxis. Allergy skin tests, RAST, and ELISA tests may be used to diagnose a food allergy. Though dietary avoidance may be sufficient treatment for mild allergies, the use of an Epipen may be necessary for severe food allergies.
-
Anaphylaxis
- Anaphylaxis is a serious allergic reaction that affects a number of different areas of the body at one time, and can be fatal. Causes of anaphylaxis can be food allergy, latex allergy, allergy to insect or but stings/bites, asthma, or other materials or conditions. Symptoms include flushing, itching, hives, anxiety, rapid or irregular pulse. Severe symptoms may be throat and tongue swelling, swallowing, and difficulty breathing. Some disorders appear similar to anaphylaxis such as fainting, panic attacks, blood clots in the lungs, heart attacks, and septic shock. If you think that you may be having an anaphylactic reaction, seek emergency care or call 911 immedately.
-
Itching
- Itching can be a common problem. Itches can be localized or generalized. There are many causes of itching to include: infection (jock itch, vaginal itch), disease (hyperthyroidism, liver or kidney), reactions to drugs, and skin infestations (pubic or body lice). Treatment for itching varies depending on the cause of the itch.
-
Eczema
- Eczema, also known as dermatitis, is a general term for many types of skin inflammation. The most common form of eczema is atopic dermatitis. The other forms of eczema include: contact eczema, seborrheic eczema, Nummular eczema, Neurodermatitis, stasis dermatitis, and dyshidrotic eczema. Symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of eczema may vary from person to person and may depend on the type of eczema.
-
Drug Allergies
- Drug allergies are cause when the immune system mistakenly creates an immune response to a medication. Symptoms of a drug allergic reaction include hives, rash, itchy skin or eyes, dizziness, nausea, diarrhea, fainting and anxiety. The most common drug allergy is penicillin. Treatment may involve antihistamines or corticosteroids. An Epipen may be used for life-threatening anaphylactic symptoms.
-
Bug Bites and Stings
- Bug bites and stings have been known to transmit insect-borne illnesses such as West Nile virus, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and Lyme disease. Though most reactions to insect bites and stings are mild, some reactions may be life-threatening. Preventing bug bites and stings with insect repellant, wearing the proper protective attire, and not wearing heavily scented perfumes when in grassy, wooded, and brushy areas is key.
-
Black Eye
- The most common cause of a black eye is due to an injury to the face or head. Most black eye injuries are minor and heal on their own, however, some may lead to significant injury. In addition to trauma to the face, cosmetic surgery can cause a black eye(s) as a side effect. People should be aware of the situations in which medical care should be sought immediately for a black eye.
-
Atopic Dermatitis
-
Medications
37 articles -
Procedures & Tests
2 articles -
Pictures, Images & Quizzes
9 articles -
Doctor's & Expert's Views
4 articles -
Health News
19 articles -
Health Features
2 articles
