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The 411 on Hives

September 27, 2018

 

Hives, also known as urticaria, is an allergic reaction to allergens, which causes the skin to break out in pale red, swollen, itchy bumps or plaques. An allergic reaction is a negative immune response caused by a substance, or allergen, that the body has become hypersensitive to. Allergies can come in all shapes and sizes, and so can their reactions.

Seasonal allergies, however, is the reaction you may experiences during changing seasons, specifically fall and spring. This is when pollen levels are higher and causes your body stress while you react and cope with the changing levels. These aren’t necessarily allergies but cause the same reaction. Allergies are specific substances, or allergens, that your body has an adverse reaction to at any time. If you suffer from allergies, it is important to understand what hives are, their symptoms and how to treat them.

What are Hives?

Hives is an allergic reaction to allergens. Temperature extremes, stress, infection and illness can also cause hives, but is less likely. They can cause itching, stinging or even burning. They appear on the skin, or anywhere on the body, including the face, hands and tongue. Hives normally appear in three different shapes: tiny bumps, blotches or large connected raised sites, also known as plaques. Diagnosing hives can be difficult; so, make sure to take special note of your symptoms and even consider taking photos of the irritated site. There is no test to diagnose hives so a thorough skin test or blood test may need to be performed.

Know the types

  • Individual Hives: These hives last from around a few hours to up to a week. Individual hives are more common than any other type and the least severe. This can appear from any stressor mentioned above, like an allergen to extreme temperatures.
  • Acute Hives: Acute hives last from about a week to six weeks. Commonly, acute hives are a reaction to foods, medications or insects that you may be allergic to. If you experience acute hives, it’s important to see a dermatologist or allergist to get tested and see what you may be allergic to.
  • Chronic Hives: This includes hives lasting more than six weeks. It is extremely hard to diagnose but many believe it stems from more serious illnesses like cancer or hepatitis. If you are struggling from a disease or illness and experience hives lasting more than six weeks, talk to your doctor about specific ways to safely treat them.

Goodbye Hives

  • Antihistamines: These can be store bought in a cream or prescribed by a doctor or dermatologist as a pill. Store bought antihistamine cream works to soothe affected skin and relieve the itch. If prescribed by a doctor or dermatologist, antihistamines may be taken regularly to stop hives from appearing in the first place.
  • Cool Compress: Soak a towel in cold water or wrap an ice pack in a towel and apply it firmly to the inflamed area. This will calm the inflammation of the skin, lowering the raised areas of the skin and calming the itchier ones.
  • Visit a Dermatologist: If you experience hives, especially acute or chronic, visit your dermatologist. There, they can ask you questions on symptoms and family history, as well as performing an allergy test. This can help you understand why you get hives and ways to avoid the allergens that trigger the reaction.

Treating and diagnosing hives can be difficult. While there are a number of home remedies to treat hives, it is still important to take careful note of your reaction and seek medical attention if your condition worsens or becomes a regular occurrence. At Knoxville Dermatology Group, the professional staff can help treat your hives, so you can live life more comfortably. To make an appointment, visit our website or call us at (865) 690-9467.

Ticked Off with the Lone Star Tick

June 29, 2018

Imagine having a summer barbeque in your backyard—one you’ve had many times before. A few hours or so after consuming a big juicy steak, you start to feel a weird sensation. Your eyes begin to itch, and hives appear on your body. It feels like an allergic reaction, but it can’t be because you’re aware of all your allergies. A visit to the doctor and a few tests tell you that you’ve developed an alpha-gal allergy, which causes a reaction to mammalian meat. This can come as a shock, especially if you’ve been eating red meat regularly your whole life. But a single bite from the Lone Star tick, can turn your immune system and your world upside down.

The Lone Star Tick and Alpha-Gal

This anomaly is a relatively new condition appearing mostly in the southeastern states. Alpha-gal is short for galactose-alpha-1, 3-galactose, a carbohydrate molecule that is found in red meats and other foods. If a Lone Star tick, named for the Texas-shaped mark in its back, happens to be carrying this molecule at the time it bites you, it can activate your allergy immune system. Your body will then be wired to create antibodies that will fight off the alpha-gal molecules. There is no cure for this allergy, but medical professionals do have treatments that help manage symptoms.

Pest Control:

As the virus is starting to spread to northern states and other parts of the country, doctors are urging patients to use proper protection when outdoors. Warm weather allows people to spend more time outside, but also makes the allergy easier to catch. Therefore, the allergy is primarily in the southern states. Using insecticide and avoiding grassy, woody trails can reduce the risk of tick bites.

Tick Check:

Checking your body and bathing with soap and hot water after outdoor activities is the best way to avoid diseases transmitted by a tick bite. Begin your check by taking all your clothes off and washing them immediately. Starting at the scalp, check thoroughly for any small bumps. Continue down behind your ears, to your neck and armpits. Keep moving down your body and use a mirror to catch any hard to see places like the back.  Ticks are especially attracted to dark areas, so be sure to examine your arms, the back of knees, ankles and groin area extra carefully. Continue checking your body and scalp the next few days in case anything was missed.

Looking to control your allergies and their reactions? At Knoxville Dermatology Group, we offer allergic reaction support for anyone struggling with abnormal allergy conditions. Call today to make an appointment, or visit our website online.

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  • About Us
    • Our Team
    • Employment
  • Services
    • Our Services
    • Patient Resources
    • Patient Portal
    • Glossary
  • Meridiem DermSpa
    • Meridiem DermSpa
    • Online Store
  • Contact Us
  • Physician Referral
    • General Derm Referral
    • Mohs Surgery Referral
  • Patient Portal
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  • Pay Online
West Knoxville123 Fox Road
Knoxville, TN 37922
Sevierville 657 Middle Creek Road
Sevierville, TN 37862
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