Managing Hives In Murray & West Jordan, UT
Hives and swelling, two symptoms that often stem from allergic reactions, can cause extreme irritation, itching, and pain. At Allergy Associates of Utah in Murray and West Jordan, Utah, Andrew Smith, MD, MS, and Tara Sarin, MD, specialize in treating hives and swelling using antihistamines, epinephrine, allergy shots, and other approaches. To relieve your hives, swelling, or both, call the nearest office, or book an appointment online today.
What are hives?
Hives typically take the form of red dots on your skin that are itchy and irritable. They come from an allergic reaction, which stimulates an immune system response. In some cases, they appear consistently from an autoimmune or systemic condition.
Hives vary greatly in size: They can be as small as a pinprick or span across a large section of skin. In most cases, however, they fade after about 24 hours.
What is swelling?
Swelling, also called angioedema, is a symptom that frequently appears with hives. Though it can be related to hives, you can also experience swelling by itself in response to an allergen. Swelling usually affects the deep tissues of your face, particularly the areas around your eyes and lips.
In certain instances, swelling affects other areas of your body. You might experience swelling in your throat, which can be life-threatening because it can block your airway. You can also experience swelling in your hands, feet, genitals, intestines, and other regions. These swollen areas might feel itchy or painful, even if there are no hives present.
What causes hives and swelling?
Many different conditions and circumstances, including infections, hormones, and chronic diseases, can cause hives and swelling. At Allergy Associates of Utah, Dr. Smith and Dr. Sarin specialize in treating hives and swelling associated with:
Allergic reactions
Allergies to food, medication, pollen, pet dander, and chemicals can potentially cause hives, swelling, or both.
Mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS)
MCAS is a very severe and often unpredictable disease. Mast cells are the cells responsible for immediate allergic reactions. With MCAS, you might experience anaphylactic symptoms frequently. Hives and swelling are two of many possible symptoms. Patients come from multiple states for MCAS treatment at Allergy Associates of Utah.
Hereditary angioedema
Dr. Smith is a nationally-published expert on hereditary angioedema, which is a genetic condition causing chronic swelling under the skin and in the gut and lungs. This condition doesn’t include hives, but the swelling alone can be severe enough to be life-threatening at times.
How can I manage hives and swelling?
Your course of treatment for hives and swelling depends largely on their underlying cause and their severity. At Allergy Associates of Utah, Dr. Smith and Dr. Sarin treat hives and swelling using:
- Antihistamines
- Allergy shots
- Epinephrine
- Oral corticosteroids
In addition to pharmaceuticals, you can soothe hives and swelling with gentle home care. Dr. Smith and Dr. Sarin recommend cold baths or showers, cold compresses, and loose-fitting clothing.
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