Hives Center - Providence, RI
Providence 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 Providence * University Dermatology Inc  University Dermatology Inc  University Dermatology Inc  University Dermatology Inc  University Dermatology Inc  University Dermatology Inc  University Dermatology Inc  Hines Dermatology Associates Inc  Rhode Island Dermatology & Laser Medicine  Marla C Angermeier MD  B Allen Flaxman MD  Dermatology Care Specialists Inc  Surgical & Cosmetic Dermatology of Rhode Island LLC  University Medical Group  University Medical Group  University Medical Group  Ocean State Dermatology Associates  Ocean State Dermatology Associates  University Dermatology Inc  Ellen H Frankel MD & Michael A Bharier MDs  Ellen H Frankel MD & Michael A Bharier MDs  Pomerantz & Toback MDs  Pomerantz & Toback MDs  Pomerantz & Toback MDs  Seth Feder MD  Paul T Zaydon MD  Ami B Muehlberg DO  University Medical Group  Frank A Veltri MD  Lydia L Klufas MD  University Medical Group  Louis A Fragola Jr. MD  University Dermatology Inc  Daniel E Viders MD PC  University Dermatology Inc  Eugene Schoenfeld MD  University Dermatology Inc  Medical Associates Of Rhode Island  University Medical Group  University Medical Group  West Bay Dermatology LTD  Dermatology Professionals Inc  Dermatology Professionals Inc  Dermatology Professionals Inc  Dermatology Professionals Inc  Dermatology Professionals Inc  West Bay Dermatology LTD  Woonsocket Medical Center  Newport Dermatology  James K Herstoff MD  Louis V Colavecchio MD Providence, Rhode IslandUpcoming Local Events2012-06-10
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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
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Nearby Providence Hospitals *Hasbro Children's Hospital Rhode Island Hospital Women & Infants Hospital of Rhode Island Southern New England Rehabilitation Center St Joseph Health Services Providence VA Medical Center Roger Williams Medical Center Butler Hospital The Miriam Hospital Bradley Hospital Our Lady of Fatima Hospital Memorial Hospital of Rhode Island Eleanor Slater Hospital Pastore Center Arbour-Fuller Hospital Kent Hospital Sturdy Memorial Hospital Rehabilitation Hospital of Rhode Island Landmark Medical Center Saint Anne's Hospital Charlton Memorial Hospital Taunton State Hospital Morton Hospital & Medical Center Eleanor Slater Hospital Zambarano Unit Milford Regional Medical Center Newport Hospital Boston VA Healthcare System Brockton New Bedford Rehabilitation Hospital Kindred Specialty Hospital Stoughton Caritas Good Samaritan Medical Center Day Kimball Hospital Hubbard Regional Hospital New England Sinai Hospital & Rehabilitation Center South County Hospital Caritas Norwood Hospital St Luke's Hospital Signature Healthcare Brockton Hospital Westwood Lodge Hospital Massachusetts Hospital School Kindred Specialty Hospital Braintree Kindred Specialty Hospital Natick MetroWest Medical Center Framingham Union Hospital MetroWest Medical Center Leonard Morse Hospital Whittier Rehabilitation Hospital Westborough Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital Needham Braintree Rehabilitation Hospital VA Boston Healthcare System West Roxbury Campus South Shore Hospital Milton Hospital Westborough State 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. |
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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
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Black Eye
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