Hives and Angioedema Diagnosis and Treatments

Acute and chronic urticaria/hives and angioedema

Acute and chronic hives associated with skin itching can be quite bothersome but also, at times, result in debilitating and chronic condition. In Premier Allergy and Asthma Centers in Germantown, MD and Manassas, VA we have doctors with unique expertise needed to properly evaluate your hives and angioedema symptoms and offer correct management and treatment. 

Hives is probably the most common allergic skin condition and is characterized by a skin rash notable for pale red, raised and intensely itchy bumps. Hives is frequently caused by allergic reactions; however, there are many non-allergic causes. Most cases of hives lasting less than six weeks (acute urticaria) are the result of an exposure to allergen (e.g. food, medication). Acute viral infection and/or fever are another common cause of acute urticaria (viral exanthem). Less common causes of hives include friction, pressure, temperature extremes, exercise, water exposure and sunlight.

Hives caused by stroking the skin (often linear in appearance) are due to a benign condition called dermographism and may have a form of quickly appearing red "blotches" on torso, face or upper arms. While acute hives can be frequently prevented by careful diagnosis and identification of triggering allergen, chronic urticaria can be debilitating disease. Chronic urticaria (hives lasting longer than six weeks) is rarely due to an allergy. The majority of the patients with chronic hives have idiopathic form (an unknown cause). However, as many as 30 – 40% of those patients may, in fact, have an autoimmune disorder causing their hives.

Dr. Bocek has a special interest in diagnosis and management of chronic urticarial conditions and developed several expert treatment protocols for these disorders.

Our treatments include the recent advancement and the most efficacious therapy of Xolair (Omalizumab) injections which can resolve chronic hives and itching within days.