What is Urticaria or Hives?

Urticaria, also known as hives, is a common allergic disorder in which a red, itchy, lumpy skin rash appears out of the blue. These skin lumps, which are known as weals, can develop anywhere on the body, including the palms and soles. The weals, which have pale centers and red margins, can spread out and join up to form large irregular patches. They are usually about 1cm to 5cm across. These weals can rapidly change shape and come and go over a period of minutes or hours. Urticarial rash can be acute onset (in which the cause is often known and the disorder settles within 6 weeks) or chronic (where it lasts longer).

WHAT CAUSES URTICARIA OR HIVES?

Urticaria is a type of allergy resulting from a release of a chemical called histamine. The cause of this histamine release is often unknown, but common causes are foods, drugs and infestations. Sometimes the cause is very obvious, such as when urticarial rash appears minutes after eating.

CHECKLIST OF POSSIBLE HIVE CAUSES :

Foods: eggs, nuts, shellfish, other fish, cheese, oranges, chocolate, caffeine, strawberries and others
Food colourings
Drugs: penicillin, sulpha antibiotics, aspirin, codeine, vaccines and others
Insect bites: bees, wasps, sandflies, fleas, mosquitoes and others
Azo dyes
Plants: nettles, poison ivy and others
Animals: cats, horses and others
Infection: viral, bacterial or fungal
Infestation: parasites
Exposure to heat and cold
Exposure to sunlight
Underlying chronic disease (e.g. lupus, lymphoma)
Last trimester of pregnancy

NOTE THAT TENSION AND STRESS USUALLY MAKE URTICARIA / HIVES WORSE.

WHAT IS ANGIO-OEDEMA?

This is a serious form of urticaria in which the face, especially the lips and skin around the eyes, suddenly swells. It can be serious if the throat swells up. You should contact your doctor immediately if this develops.

HOW IS THE CAUSE OF URTICARIA FOUND?

You may be asked to keep a food diary and note any associations. You may have to undergo patch testing of your skin to find out what you may be allergic to.

A Comprehensive Allergy Test can be done at our medical clinic. Please make an appointment for a consultation with Dr Don Lau at Tel: 6694 1661.

Comprehensive Allergies Test for up to 101 allergens:
* Food Allergy eg Seafood, Nuts, Eggs, Fish, Meat, Fruits, Seeds or Vegetables
* Dust/Mold Allergy
* Insect Sting Allergy
* Pet/Cockroach Allergy
* Eye or Skin Allergy
* Sinus Infection/Allergic Rhinitis
* Drug/Latex Allergy

WHAT IS THE TREATMENT FOR URTICARIA / HIVES?

Antihistamines, usually take by mouth, are used to relieve rash and itching. Avoid taking aspirin or other drugs not prescribed for you
Itching can be relieved by daubing with calamine lotion
Cold water compresses such as soaking a towel in cold water can also relieve itching. Avoid hot baths or showers during the acute phase - keep it cool!
Decrease your activity during the acute phase. It is better not to get hot and sweaty
Avoid alcohol and caffeine-containing drinks, especially is there is a possibility of these being a trigger factor

Skin Problems - Treatment for Allergies, Dermatitis, Eczema & Urticaria/Hives

Allergy in your Baby

Treatment for Contact Dermatitis

Treatment for Atopic Ezcema

What is Urticaria or Hives?

Eczema & Dermatitis non-steroid Treatment for Allergy with Excimer Laser

Excimer laser is a novel mode of phototherapy with verified efficacy in treating skin conditions such as vitiligo, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, alopecia areata, allergic rhinitis, folliculitis, granuloma annulare, lichen planus, mycosis fungoides, palmoplantar pustulosis, pityriasis alba, CD30+ lympho proliferative disorder, leukoderma, prurigo nodularis, localized scleroderma and genital lichen sclerosus.

- Different applications of monochromatic excimer light in skin diseases - PubMed (nih.gov)

Contact Dermatitis Common Allergens

Please seek Medical attention as soon as possible if you are unsure of you or your family's health condition.

Dermatology Treatments for Skin
& other Medical Conditions

Learn about the Diagnosis, Treatment and/or Removal of the following skin problems:

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Dermoscopy - Non-invasive detection of skin cancers (Carcinomas & Melanomas), Pubic lice & Scabies mites
Minor Surgical Procedures
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Dermatology Problems - Treatment of Acne, Dry Skin, Warts, Corns & Calluses on Feet

How to Get Rid of Acne

Dry Skin Care Tips

What are Warts?

Treatment for Corns, Calluses & Warts on Feet

The Proven and Unexpected Way to Fix Allergies

In this video, Dr. Mike VanDerschelden explains the true cause of allergies and how to easily fix over 80% of the cases for allergies that the doctors are not telling you.

Health Assessment & Screening Packages

Health Assessment

Health Screening Packages

Sinopharm COVID-19 & Latest Influenza Vaccines (Protects against Flu and H1N1 Viruses) / PCR COVID Testing / Serology Tests for Travellers & Serology Testing to Certify Vaccination status. Make your Appointment at Tel: 6694 1661

Latest Influenza Vaccine

Asymptomatic patients may display no symptoms of illness. Vulnerable people should get vaccinated against Influenza which protects susceptible people from, as well as exclude the Flu and H1N1 viruses should they start to show URTI or ARI symptoms.

a. Vaccination decreases the risk of co-infection with COVID-19.

b. Vaccination reduces the burden of respiratory illnesses in the healthcare system.

The latest Influenza Vaccine is now available. It protects against the Flu and H1N1 Viruses. Ministry of Health Safety protocols are adhered to at all times for the safe vaccination of you and your family.

* Importance of Keeping your Vaccinations Up-to-date

Up to $400 per Medisave Account per year can be used for Vaccinations under the National Adult & Childhood Immunisation Schedule - Influenza, Pneumococcal (PCV13/PPSV), Human Papillomavirus (HPV2/HPV4), Hepatitis B, Tetanus, Diphtheria & Pertussis (Tdap), Measles, Mumps & Rubella (MMR) and Chickenpox (Varicella)

Part of the National Influenza Sentinel Surveillance programme with MOH. If you have a fever of > 38 degrees with a cough, our clinic is able to test for COVID-19. For children below 12 years old with clinical diagnosis of HFMD (eg fever, oral ulcers, rash), our clinic can test for Hand Foot & Mouth Disease (The tests are for surveillance purposes only).

MD Int'l (SG) Home page

MD International Medical Centre Services

Obesity - How to Lose Weight Safely

Identifying Insect Bites

MD International Medical Centre

Medical Services available:

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The information provided in this website is for knowledge purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice.

Should you encounter any medical problem that you are unsure of, always consult your doctor or health care provider for assistance and medical advice.

MD International Medical Centre / MD International (Singapore) Pte Ltd

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