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.

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

Contact Dermatitis Common Allergens

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

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

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

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

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

Flu Subsidy Scheme eligible for Singaporeans & PRs (Pay subsidized rate of $10 for Consultation and Treatment) & Merdeka Generation /Pioneer Generation seniors (Pay subsidized $5) for patients with Acute Respiratory Infections (ARIs).

Dermatology Problems - Acne, Dry Skin, Warts, Corns & Calluses 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

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 MOH's Swab & Go Home programme. Our clinic can carry out the COVID-19 Swab test for anyone who meets the MOH medical criteria. All individuals aged 13 and above, diagnosed with ARI will be COVID Swab-tested. Cost of Swab test to be borne by Ministry of Health Singapore.

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).

Risk Factors of COVID-19 Complications

Source : Observer Research Foundation

Lung, Neurological, Liver & Kidney Diseases

Public Health Preparedness Clinic

National University Health System Primary Care Network

Singapore Ministry of Health Chronic Disease Management Programme (CDMP)

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 (Singapore) Pte Ltd

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9 Taman Serasi #01-11, Botanic Gardens View

Tel : 65-6694-1661  Fax : 65-6694 1771

Email : contact@mdimc.sg

Clinic hours:

Monday to Friday: 9am-12.30pm / 2pm-6.30pm    Saturday: 9.30am-1pm

*Last registration is 30mins before the closing time

Closed on Sundays & Public Holidays

- Cashless service with most International Insurance companies and Insurance Medical cards are accepted

- Japanese & Mandarin-speaking Doctors and Medical staff

Please contact us at Tel: 6694 1661 to make an appointment.

OUR MEDICAL TEAM

Dr Don Lau – Medical Director

MBBS (Monash), B Med Sc (Hons) (Monash), Dip Pract Derm (Wales, UK)

Fujiwara Takanori

- Doctor of Chiropractic

The Chiropractic Association Singapore, Japan Chiropractic Register, American Chiropractic Association, California Chiropractic Association

Physiotherapy-trained NBCE The National Board of Chiropractic Examiners

Medical Conditions Treatable with Chiropractic:  

  • Head & Neck – Neckaches/ Spondylosis/ Wry Neck/ Whiplash/ Headaches/ Migraine/ Facial Palsy
  • Back – Back Strain/ Slipped Disc/ Scoliosis/ Sciatica/ Spondylosis/ Spondylolisthesis/ Spondylolysis
  • Shoulder – Frozen Shoulder/ Rotator Cuff Tear/ Impingement Syndrome
  • Elbow – Tennis Elbow/ Golf Elbow
  • Hip / Knee – Anterior Knee Pain/ Runner’s Knee/ Meniscus Injury/ Ligament Injury
  • Foot – Plantar Fasciitis/ Heel Pain/ Metatarsalgia
  • Joint – Arthritis/ Cartilage Wear & Tear/ Osteoarthritis
  • Ligament – Sprains/ ACL Laxity/ Ankle Sprain
  • Muscle – Strains/ ITB Tightness/ Hamstring Tear
  • Tendons – Tendonitis/ Repetitive Strain Injury/ Tendinopathy
  • Sports Injuries
  • Obesity – Exercise & Meal Planning 
  • Post Operation/ Hospitalization
  • Fibromyalgia

Dr Lee Sao Bing – Opthalmologist (in-house Specialist)

MBBS, MMed(Ophth), FRCSEd(Ophth), MD, FAMS

Dr Pang Yoke Teen – ENT (Visiting Consultant)

FRCS (ORL), FRCS(EDIN), (FRCSGLASG), FAMS, MBBS

MD International Medical Centre

Medical Services

Minor Surgical Procedures :

·       Injection for Supraspinatus or Bicipital Tendonitis / Epicondylitis / Trigger finger / Plantar Fasciitis

·       Tendon Sheath Injection

·       Excision of small Skin tumours / Lipomas / Nail bed / Ear lobe cysts / Meibomian cyst

·       Removal of Skin sutures / Skin tags / Sebaceous cysts / Various foreign bodies / Corneal foreign body

·       Liquid Nitrogen Therapy

·       Treatment of Plantar Warts / Calluses / Corns / Ganglions

·       Splinters under nails

·       Olecranon and Pre-patellar Bursitis

·       Ear syringing

·       Embedded earring stud

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