Hives Center - Santa Barbara, CA
Santa Barbara 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 Santa Barbara * Aloe Dermatology  Sansum Clinic Dermatology  Novatt & Hurvitz MDs  Sansum Clinic Dermatology  Sansum Clinic Dermatology  Novatt & Hurvitz MDs  Kevin C Osburn MD  Louise H Stewart MD  William K Brokken MD  William K Brokken MD  Samson Santa Barbara Med Clinic Dermatology  Samson Santa Barbara Med Clinic Dermatology  VanMeter Hammond Benzian & Miller MDs  VanMeter Hammond Benzian & Miller MDs  VanMeter Hammond Benzian & Miller MDs  Central Coast Pathology Consultants  VanMeter Hammond Benzian & Miller MDs  David G Balter MD  Ventura Dermatology Medical Clinic Inc  Robert R Jordan MD  Peter L Karlsberg MD  Dermatology Medical Group of Oxnard & Camarillo  Dermatology Medical Group of Oxnard & Camarillo  Dermatology Medical Group of Oxnard & Camarillo  Dermatology Medical Group of Oxnard & Camarillo  Dermatology Medical Group of Oxnard & Camarillo  Coastal Dermatology  Affiliated Dermatologists  Affiliated Dermatologists  Affiliated Dermatologists  Comron Maleki MD  Conejo Dermatology Medical Group  Conejo Dermatology Medical Group  Center For Dermatology Care  Center For Dermatology Care  Center For Dermatology Care  Center For Dermatology Care  Tri-Valley Dermatology and Laser Cdenter  Michael W Moats MD  Dermatology Associates of Westlake Village  Dermatology Associates of Westlake Village  Dermatology Associates of Westlake Village  Judith S Feldman MD  Dermatology Associates of Westlake Village  Dermatology Associates of Westlake Village  James S Weintraub MD  Dermaspa Med  West Lake Eye & Skin Associates Inc  Valley Dermatology  Valley Dermatology  Lisa N Oki MD  Bente H Berman MD  Advanced Dermatology Care of Southern California  Mary Lee Amerian MD  James H Sternberg MD  West Hills Dermatology Group  Kranson Cosmetic Laser Institute  Pacific Surgical & Laser Institute  Robert M Miller MD  Robert DeStefano MD  Douglas Hamilton MD  Douglas Hamilton MD  Michael McCray MD  Ana A Cardenas MD  Southern CA Permanente  Diane M Reisinger MD  Southern CA Permanente  Dermatology Surgical Medical  Advanced Dermatology Center & Cosmetic Care  Bakersfield Dermatology  Bakersfield Dermatology  Bakersfield Dermatology  Bakersfield Dermatology  Michael T Lin MD  James R Kunkel MD  David J Elbaum MD  Susan Luu MD  Northridge Dermatology Associates  Northridge Dermatology Associates  Kern Dermatology  Northridge Dermatology Associates  Lawrence Osman MD  Norman E Levan MD  Dermatology Group  Milton Kaplan MD  Valley Dermatology  Valley Dermatology  Valley Dermatology  Michael E Borok MD  Steven Naltsas MD  Castle Dermatology  Robert M Hartman MD  Norman H Nelson MD  Evelyn Jankowski MD  Ileana E Zapatero MD  Palisades Dermatology  Skin Cancer Medical Center  MacKenzie Dermatology  Facey Medical Foundation Mission Hills  Indianer Lask & Rosenzweig Dermatology Group Santa Barbara, CaliforniaUpcoming Local Events2012-06-02
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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 Santa Barbara
Nearby Santa Barbara Hospitals *Cottage Rehabilitation Institute Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital Ojai Valley Community Hospital Aurora Vista Del Mar Hospital Community Memorial Hospital Ventura County Medical Center Santa Ynez Valley Cottage Hospital St John's Regional Medical Center 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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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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