Hives Center - Lawrence, MA
Lawrence 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 Lawrence * North Andover Dermatology  North Andover Dermatology  Northeast Dermatology  Northeast Dermatology  Northeast Dermatology  Northeast Dermatology  Northeast Dermatology  Northeast Dermatology  Northeast Dermatology  Northeast Dermatology  Northeast Dermatology  Northeast Dermatology  Rockoff Center  John M Tomich MD  Medical Centers of Greater Lowell  Lexington Waltham Dermatology Group PC  Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates  Philip S Ellerin MD  Chelmsford Dermatology PC  Chelmsford Dermatology PC  Skin & Laser Surgery Center of New England  Michael T Rosenbaum MD  Lahey Burlington Dermatology  Lahey Burlington Dermatology  Lahey Burlington Dermatology  Lahey Burlington Dermatology  Lahey Burlington Dermatology  Lahey Burlington Dermatology  Lahey Burlington Dermatology  Lahey Burlington Dermatology  Lahey Burlington Dermatology  Lahey Burlington Dermatology  Mystic Valley Dermatology Associates PC  Mystic Valley Dermatology Associates PC  Marilyn R Capek MD  Robert J O'Brien Jr. MD & Associates  Robert J O'Brien Jr. MD & Associates  Robert J O'Brien Jr. MD & Associates  Robert J O'Brien Jr. MD & Associates  Kathleen M Greco MD  Lexington Waltham Dermatology Group PC  Lexington Waltham Dermatology Group PC  Advanced Dermatology of Melrose  Lexington Waltham Dermatology Group PC  Dermatology Associates of North Shore  Adult & Pediatric Dermatology  Adult & Pediatric Dermatology  Ayer & Westford Dermatology  Charles A Swanson MD  Barry Paul MD  Barry Paul MD  Richard Brown MD  Mystic Valley Dermatology Associates PC  Mystic Valley Dermatology Associates PC  Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates Dermatology  Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates Dermatology  VonWeiss Dermatology Center  Dermatology Associates of Concord  Dermatology Associates of Concord  Dermatology Associates of Concord  Dermatology Associates of Concord  Dermatology Associates of Concord  Dermatology Associates of Concord  Peter Muz MD  Dermatology Associates of Concord  Dermatology Associates of Concord  Howard S Goldberg MD  Associates In Dermatology  Associates In Dermatology  Dermatology Associates of Waltham  MGH Dermatology  Stephen O Kovacs MD  Mark A Lewis MD  Dermatology Group  Dermatology Associates of MGH  Boston University Medical Center Dermatology  Boston University Medical Center Dermatology  Dermatology Associates of MGH  Dermatology Associates of MGH  Boston University Medical Center Dermatology  Joseph C Kvedar MD  Dermatology Associates of MGH  Dermatology Associates of MGH  MGH Dermatology Surgical Unit  Boston University Medical Center Dermatology  Dermatology Associates of MGH  Dermatology Associates of MGH  Dermatology Associates  Dermatology Associates  Oon Tian Tan MD  Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates Dermatology  Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates Dermatology Allergy & Immunology  Boston Center for Ambulatory Surgery  Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates Dermatology  Tufts Medical Center Dermatology  Tufts Medical Center Dermatology  Tufts Medical Center Dermatology  Tufts Medical Center Dermatology  South Shore Skin Surgeons PC  Tufts Medical Center Dermatology Lawrence, MassachusettsUpcoming 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 Lawrence
Nearby Lawrence Hospitals *Lawrence General Hospital Caritas Holy Family Hospital and Medical Center Northeast Rehabilitation Health Network Isham Health Center Whittier Rehabilitation Hospital Haverhill Merrimack Valley Hospital Tewksbury Hospital Baldpate Hospital Saints Medical Center Lowell General Hospital HC Solomon Mental Health Center Hampstead Hospital Parkland Medical Center Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital Anna Jaques Hospital Southern New Hampshire Medical Center Lahey Clinic Medical Center St Joseph Hospital Kindred Hospital Boston North Shore Winchester Hospital North Shore Medical Center HEALTHSOUTH New England Rehabilitation Hospital Beverly Hospital Melrose Wakefield Hospital North Shore Children's Hospital Salem Hospital & the Birthplace Shaughnessy-Kaplan Rehabilitation Hospital Emerson Hospital Lawrence Memorial Hospital Whidden Memorial Hospital McLean Hospital Exeter Hospital Somerville Hospital Lawrence F Quigley Memorial Hospital Nashoba Valley Medical Center Mount Auburn Hospital Elliot Hospital Youville Hospital and Rehabilitation Center Cambridge Hospital Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital M I T Medical Massachusetts General Hospital Shriners Hospitals for Children Boston Burn Hospital Massachusetts Eye & Ear Infirmary Arbour HRI Hospital Caritas St Elizabeth's Medical Center Franciscan Hospital for Children Kindred Hospital Boston Manchester VA Medical Center Addison Gilbert Hospital Catholic Medical Center Tufts New England Medical Center Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Children's Hospital Boston Dana Farber Cancer Institute Brigham & Women's Hospital Boston Medical Center New England Baptist Hospital VA Boston Healthcare System Jamaica Plain Campus Newton Wellesley Hospital Arbour Hospital Radius Specialty Hospital Boston Faulkner Hospital Bournewood Hospital Hebrew Rehabilitation Center for the Aged Lemuel Shattuck Hospital Massachusetts Mental Health Center VA Boston Healthcare System West Roxbury Campus Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital Needham Caritas Carney Hospital Kindred Specialty Hospital Natick MetroWest Medical Center Leonard Morse Hospital Portsmouth Regional Hospital UMass Memorial Marlborough Hospital Milton 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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