Hives or skin allergy refers to small bumps that appear on the skin as a result of the body’s reaction to an allergen or other unknown cause. Hives cause itching on the surface of the skin thus making you uncomfortable. If you are having the condition, you should consult an allergist as soon as possible in order to have your normal life back.

Causes of skin allergy

According to allergy specialists, hives form due to the release of histamine. This is a chemical that is released when the body interacts with an allergen such as pollen and dust. When histamine is released, small blood vessels pop out of the surface of the skin resulting to the condition.

Diagnosis of hives

It’s good to note that there aren’t specific tests for hives. When you visit the doctor’s office, he/she relies on the information that you provide to try and figure out the cause of the condition. To give your doctor an easy time, give accurate information.

Treatment of hives

The medication given to you depends on the nature of your condition. If the condition is minor, the doctor may prescribe antihistamines to aid in bringing down the level of histamine in the bloodstream. If you have severe allergy, the doctor may inject you with epinephrine. In addition to the medications, the doctor will also require you to take good care of the affected area for it to heal properly. Some of the things that you should do to take good care of the areas include:

• Conduct daily activities in a cool environment. This calls for you to avoid high-temperature environments.
• Place a wet cloth or towel on the affected regions.
• Avoid covering the affected area. If covering the affected area is inevitable, cover it with a light material.

Conclusion

Studies show that many people don’t visit allergy doctors when they have skin allergy and hives. The main reason for this is because the hives tend to disappear after sometime. While failing to visit an allergy doctor may save you some money, you might be incubating a ticking time bomb. To avoid the condition from getting worse, it’s wise that you visit a doctor so that he/she can find the root cause of your condition. The professional will also give you medications and advice that will prevent the condition from occurring again.