Hives Center - Chicopee, MA
Chicopee 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 Chicopee * Dermatology & Laser Center  Robert Letteney MD  New England Dermatology & Laser Center  New England Dermatology & Laser Center  New England Dermatology & Laser Center  New England Dermatology & Laser Center  New England Dermatology & Laser Center  Peter T Demos MD  New England Dermatology & Laser Center  New England Dermatology & Laser Center  New England Dermatology & Laser Center  New England Dermatology & Laser Center  James H Ratner MD  Hampshire Dermatology and Skin Health Center  Nicholas Greco MD  Pioneer Valley Dermatology PC  Northampton Dermatology Associates PC  County Dermatology  Joel P Gordon MD  Fallon Meidcal Center Dermatology  Daniel E Viders MD PC  Advanced Dermatology  Gerald C Gladstone MD  UMass Memorial Medical Center Dermatology  UMass Memorial Medical Center Dermatology  UMass Memorial Medical Center Dermatology  UMass Memorial Medical Center Dermatology  UMass Memorial Medical Center Dermatology  UMass Memorial Medical Center Dermatology  Kuchnir Dermatology & Dermatologic Surgery  Fred E Mensch MD  Behzad Parhizgar MD  Dermatology Associates of Worcester County  Dermatology Center In The Berkshires PC  Skin Clinic  Karen Rothman MD  J Lawrence Dohan MD  Adult & Pediatric Dermatology  Adult & Pediatric Dermatology  Kuchnir Dermatology & Dermatologic Surgery  Ayer & Westford Dermatology  Peter Muz MD  Monika Berg MD  Vicki A Chavin MD  David Rosenthal MD  Metro-West Dermatology  Linda M Ameri MD  Lawrence E Yellen MD  Dermatology Associates  Dermatology Associates of Concord  Dawn X Ding MD PC  Jay Goldstein MD  North Attleboro Medical Center  Skin & Laser Surgery Center of New England  Michael T Rosenbaum MD  Dermatology and Skin Care Associates  Steven P Smith MD  Dermatology Specialists of Wellesley  Stephen V Tang MD  Dermatology and Skin Care Associates  Chelmsford Dermatology PC  Chelmsford Dermatology PC  Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates  Krauss Dermatology  Krauss Dermatology  Krauss Dermatology  Attleboro Dermatology  Hines Dermatology Associates Inc  Hines Dermatology Associates Inc  Hines Dermatology Associates Inc  Lexington Waltham Dermatology Group PC  Newton-Wellesley Dermatology Associates  Newton-Wellesley Dermatology Associates  Dermatology Partners  Newton-Wellesley Dermatology Associates  Dermatology Partners  Dermatology Partners  Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates  Paul Birnbaum MD  Jay L Cohen MD  Francis Renna MD  Dermatology Associates of Waltham  Advanced Dermatology of Melrose  Lisa Cohen MD  Dermatology Associates  Dermatology Associates  Dermatology Associates  Dermatology Associates  Dermatology Associates  Medical Centers of Greater Lowell  Dedham Medical Associates  Dedham Medical Associates  Dedham Medical Associates  Lexington Waltham Dermatology Group PC  Lexington Waltham Dermatology Group PC  Lexington Waltham Dermatology Group PC  Integrative Dermatology  Women's Health Associates  Women's Health Associates  Women's Health Associates Chicopee, MassachusettsUpcoming Local Events2012-06-03
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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 Chicopee
Nearby Chicopee Hospitals *HEALTHSOUTH Rehabilitation Hospital of Western Massachusetts Kindred Hospital Park View Shriners Hospital for Children Mercy Medical Center Weldon Rehabilitation Hospital Baystate Medical Center Providence Hospital Holyoke Medical Center Wing Memorial Hospital & Medical Center Western Massachusetts Hospital Cooley Dickinson Hospital Noble Hospital Baystate Mary Lane Hospital Johnson Memorial Hospital Northampton VA Medical Center Rockville General Hospital Harrington Memorial Hospital Manchester Memorial Hospital Mount Sinai Rehabilitation Hospital St Francis Care Hospital Mount Sinai Campus The Hospital at Hebrew Healthcare St Francis Hospital & Medical Center Franklin Medical Center Connecticut Children's Medical Center Hartford Hospital Institute of Living Hartford Hospital Athol Memorial Hospital Natchaug Hospital University of Connecticut Health Center John Dempsey Cedarcrest Hospital VA Connecticut Healthcare System Newington Campus Hungerford Emergency & Medical Care Windham Community Memorial Hospital Hubbard Regional Hospital Fairlawn Rehabilitation Hospital Day Kimball 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
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Related Diseases & Conditions
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Atopic Dermatitis
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