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Suggest Treatment For Recurrent Hives

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Posted on Sat, 31 Dec 2016
Question: I have had a recurrence of hives and don't know the cause. Can you advise on what to do to find out cause and also to treat.
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Answered by Dr. Michelle Gibson James (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
would need allergy testing

Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic

Allergy testing , either by a blood test or skin prick testing, can find out the source of an allergic response.
The blood test can be requested by your general doctor but the skin prick testing would need to be done by a allergist or dermatologist.

If neither of these is an option, then you would need to consider a food or general diary (to record foods or other substances that you come in contact with) . This may be more difficult than the testing.

An allergic response can occur in response to food , spices, drink, pollen, animal dander, dust, medications (traditional or herbal), soaps, lotions, detergents. It can be anything.

In terms of treatment, the use of the benadryl is appropriate. Any anti histamine can be used eg claritine, zyrtec, allegra.
If there is no or a slow response then a short course oral steroids (for 3 to 5 days ), may be needed

I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Michelle Gibson James

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 16808 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Recurrent Hives

Brief Answer: would need allergy testing Detailed Answer: HI, thanks for using healthcare magic Allergy testing , either by a blood test or skin prick testing, can find out the source of an allergic response. The blood test can be requested by your general doctor but the skin prick testing would need to be done by a allergist or dermatologist. If neither of these is an option, then you would need to consider a food or general diary (to record foods or other substances that you come in contact with) . This may be more difficult than the testing. An allergic response can occur in response to food , spices, drink, pollen, animal dander, dust, medications (traditional or herbal), soaps, lotions, detergents. It can be anything. In terms of treatment, the use of the benadryl is appropriate. Any anti histamine can be used eg claritine, zyrtec, allegra. If there is no or a slow response then a short course oral steroids (for 3 to 5 days ), may be needed I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions