Urticaria treatment
in Chennai.
Urticaria, commonly called hives, causes raised itchy welts that can appear suddenly and change location over hours.
At Ram Skin Clinic, evaluation focuses on the pattern and duration of symptoms, possible triggers, associated swelling and whether further investigation is appropriate.
What is urticaria?
Urticaria is a skin reaction characterised by transient raised, itchy swellings or wheals. Individual wheals usually fade while new ones may appear elsewhere. Episodes lasting less than six weeks are generally described as acute urticaria; symptoms recurring for six weeks or longer are classified as chronic urticaria.
Some people also develop deeper swelling called angioedema, often involving the lips, eyelids, hands or feet.
Possible triggers and causes
Infections, medicines, foods or other exposures can sometimes be associated with acute hives, although a specific trigger is not always identified.
Long-lasting recurrent hives frequently occur without an identifiable external allergen. Evaluation is guided by the history rather than indiscriminate allergy testing.
Heat, cold, pressure, exercise, sunlight or scratching can provoke inducible urticaria in some people.
A medication review and relevant medical history can help identify factors that may be contributing.
How a dermatologist evaluates hives
The diagnosis is often clinical. Your dermatologist may ask when lesions appear, how long individual welts last, whether there is angioedema, recent infections or medicines, physical triggers and other symptoms. Photographs taken during a flare can be useful when the rash is absent at the appointment.
Tests are not automatically required for every case. They may be selected when the history or examination suggests a specific underlying cause or an alternative diagnosis.
Treatment approach
Treatment depends on whether urticaria is acute, chronic spontaneous or inducible and on symptom severity. Non-sedating second-generation antihistamines are commonly used under medical guidance. Persistent or difficult chronic urticaria may require a stepwise specialist treatment plan.
Avoid starting, stopping or repeatedly changing prescription medicines solely because hives appear; discuss suspected medication reactions with a doctor. If a specific reproducible trigger is identified, avoiding or reducing exposure may help.
When hives need urgent medical attention
Seek emergency medical care immediately if hives occur with breathing difficulty, wheezing, throat tightness, faintness, rapidly progressive tongue/throat swelling or other features of a severe allergic reaction. Urticaria limited to the skin is different from anaphylaxis, but the two can occur together.
Frequently asked questions
No. Urticaria itself is not contagious, although an infection that triggers an episode may sometimes be transmissible.
No. Chronic spontaneous urticaria often has no identifiable external allergen, so testing is guided by clinical history.
Typical urticaria lesions are transient. One wheal may disappear while another develops elsewhere.
Assessment is useful when hives recur, persist, interfere with daily life, are associated with swelling, or the diagnosis is uncertain.
Related skin care
Some rashes can resemble hives. If the diagnosis is uncertain, a dermatologist can distinguish urticaria from eczema, infections and other inflammatory conditions. See our Eczema Treatment and Skin Infection Treatment pages for related information.
Recurring hives or unexplained swelling?
Book a dermatology consultation at Ram Skin Clinic in OMR for assessment of recurrent urticaria, possible triggers and an appropriate treatment plan.
Medical information on this page is general and does not replace an in-person diagnosis. Treatment choice depends on examination and individual clinical factors.
