Hives Fact Sheet
		What are hives? Hives are itchy, bumps or patches on the skin. They often develop on the limbs and trunk but can occur anywhere on the body, and may appear for no apparent reason. Hives usually are a result of an allergic response your body has to an allergen (something you are allergic to). Allergens often include a type of food, certain drugs, animal dander, mold spores, dust and dust mites, or grass, weed, tree, and flower pollens. Hives usually last less than a day, or sometimes a week. Less commonly, they may occur for weeks or longer. How are they treated? Hives are treated in a number of ways dependent on their severity. Allergen avoidance or decreased exposure to the things you are allergic to is recommended after identifying those substances. A variation of medications can be used to treat hives and often include antihistamines and corticosteroid creams. If symptoms are really hard to control, we may recommend allergy vaccinations. This involves a series of vaccinations that can reduce your sensitivity to allergens.