Hives Center - Houston, TX
Houston 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 Houston * Pauline Raymond-Martimbeau MD  Mark A Price MD  Samuel F Bean MD  Mark A Price MD  Gil A Micheletti MD  J Brad Bowden MD  Affiliated Dermatologists of Houston  Dermatology Associates  Dermatology Associates  Houston Dermatology Associates PA  Houston Dermatology Associates PA  Houston Dermatology Associates PA  UT Health Science Center Dermatology Clinic  UT Health Science Center Dermatology Clinic  Baylor College of Medicine Dermatology  Baylor College of Medicine Dermatology  UT Health Science Center Dermatology Clinic  Baylor College of Medicine Dermatology  UT Health Science Center Dermatology Clinic  Dermatological Association of Texas  Baylor College of Medicine Dermatology  Baylor College of Medicine Dermatology  UT Health Science Center Dermatology Clinic  Baylor College of Medicine Dermatology  Baylor College of Medicine Dermatology  UT Health Science Center Dermatology Clinic  Bruce R Nelson MD  Texas Childrens Hospital Dermatology  Texas Childrens Hospital Dermatology  Medical Center Dermatology  Rabin-Greenberg Dermatology  Derm Surgery Associates PA  Derm Surgery Associates PA  Rabin-Greenberg Dermatology  Medical Center Dermatology  Derm Surgery Associates PA  Derm Surgery Associates PA  Rabin-Greenberg Dermatology  Rabin-Greenberg Dermatology  Kelsey-Seybold Main Campus Dermatology  Kelsey-Seybold Main Campus Dermatology  Carl B Rountree MD & Associates  C William Doubleday MD  Laborde Dermatology  Laborde Dermatology, P.A.  Chernosky Dermatological Associates PA  Bellaire Dermatology Associates  Bellaire Dermatology Associates  Bellaire Dermatology Associates  Bellaire Dermatology Associates  Bellaire Dermatology Associates  Proctor Clinic  Milton D Moore MD RPH  Center for Medical Dermatology  Center for Medical Dermatology  Linda Barrows MD  Kelsey-Seybold Clinic West  Kelsey-Seybold Clinic West  Jerry E Dickson MD  Jeannette M Greer MD  Iris S Polinger MD PHD PA  Esta Kronberg MD  Jon K Stern MD  Benjamin Edery MD PA  Norman D Guzick MD  Advanced Dermatology  Memorial City Dermatology Clinic  Angela M Davis MD  Memorial Dermatology  Memorial Dermatology  J F Fuerst MD  Max E Reddick MD  Jan M Schwartz MD  Robert S Totz MD  Concentra Medical Center  Robert S Tausend MD  Advanced Dermatology  Advanced Dermatology  Aaron K Joseph MD  Southeast Dermatology PA  Southeast Dermatology PA  Southeast Dermatology PA  Southeast Dermatology PA  Southeast Dermatology PA  Southeast Dermatology PA  Southeast Dermatology PA  Southeast Dermatology PA  Memorial Clinical Associates  Memorial Clinical Associates  Airport Dermatology Clinic  Jimmy Schmidt MD PA  Northwest Diagnostic Clinic  Tricia J Brown MD PA  Solomon Sam Brickman MD  Scott D McMenemy MD  William Waidhofer MD  Kelsey-Seybold Clinic  Kelsey-Seybold Clinic  Bay Area Dermatology  Bay Area Dermatology Houston, TexasRated as a beta world city, Houston's economy has a broad industrial base in the energy, manufacturing, aeronautics, transportation, and health care sectors and is a leading center for building oilfield equipment; only New York City is home to more Fortune 500 headquarters in the city limits. The Port of Houston ranks first in the United States in international waterborne tonnage handled and second in total cargo tonnage handled. The city has a population from various ethnic and religious backgrounds and a large and growing international community. It is home to many cultural institutions and exhibits - attracting more than 7 million visitors a year to the Houston Museum District. Houston has an active visual and performing arts scene in the Theater District and is one of few U.S. cities that offer year-round resident companies in all major performing arts. Upcoming Local Events2012-05-26
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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 HivesHow Often Are Allergy Shots Given?Allergy shots are given regularly (in the upper arm), with gradually increasing doses. When starting immunotherapy, you will need to go to your healthcare provider once or twice a week for several months. The dose is increased each time until the maintenance dose is reached. If the shots are effective, you will go to your healthcare provider every 2 to 4 weeks for 2 to 5 more years. You may become less sensitive to allergens during this time, and your allergy symptoms will become milder and may even go away completely.
How Should I Prepare for Allergy Shots?For two hours before and after your appointment, do not exercise or engage in vigorous activity. Exercise may stimulate increased blood flow to the tissues and promote faster release of antigens into the bloodstream. Tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking. Some medications, such as beta blockers, can int... Other Related Hives ArticlesEmergency Contact for Houston
Nearby Houston Hospitals *Dubuis Hospital of Houston St Joseph Medical Center Triumph Hospital Houston Central Riverside General Hospital HEALTHSOUTH Hospital for Specialized Surgery Park Plaza Hospital and Medical Center Plaza Specialty Hospital University of Texas Harris County Psychiatric Center Harris Quentin Mease Community Hospital Memorial Hermann Hospital Ben Taub General Hospital Select Specialty Hospital Houston Heights Kindred Hospital Houston Select Specialty Hospital Houston Medical Center Memorial Herman The Institute for Rehabilitation & Research The Methodist Hospital Michael E DeBakey VA Medical Center Texas Children's Hospital St Luke's Episcopal Hospital University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Shriners Hospitals for Children Texas Orthopedic Hospital University General Hospital The Woman's Hospital of Texas IntraCare Medical Center Hospital Lyndon B Johnson General Hospital Memorial Hermann Northwest Hospital Harris County Hospital District Texas Specialty Hospital Doctors Hospital of Tidwell Doctors Hospital Parkway Cornerstone Hospital of Houston at Bellaire Renaissance Hospital Houston Triumph Hospital North Houston Twelve Oaks Medical Center River Oaks Campus West Oaks Hospital Spring Branch Medical Center Select Specialty Hospital Houston West Riveroaks Medical Center Sharpstown Campus Memorial Hermann Southwest Hospital Memorial Hermann Memorial City Hospital Kindred Hospital Bay Area East Houston Regional Medical Center Triumph Hospital Town & Country Healthbridge Children's Hospital of Houston Bayshore Medical Center Triumph Hospital East Houston Vista Medical Center Hospital of America West Houston Medical Center Memorial Hermann Southeast Hospital HEALTHSOUTH Humble Rehabilitation Hospital Memorial Hermann Northeast Cypress Fairbanks Medical Center Hospital Houston Northwest Medical Center Methodist Willowbrook Hospital TOPS Surgical Specialty Hospital Kindred Hospital Northwest IntraCare North Hospital Cypress Creek Hospital Triumph Hospital Northwest HEALTHSOUTH Hospital of Houston North Cypress Medical Center Triumph Hospital Southwest CHRISTUS St Catherine Hospital Methodist Sugar Land Hospital Triumph Hospital Clear Lake Clear Lake Regional Medical Center Clear Lake Rehabilitation Hospital Cornerstone Hospital of Houston at Clearlake Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Hospital Kingwood Medical Center CHRISTUS St John Hospital San Jacinto Methodist Hospital Garth Rd Memorial Hermann Katy Hospital San Jacinto Methodist Hospital Alexander Campus 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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