Hives can show up out of nowhere. One minute your skin looks normal, and the next you have itchy, raised bumps that seem to spread or move around your body. They can be triggered by food, medication, an illness, or something your skin has come into contact with. In many cases, hives go away on their own, but sometimes they need medical attention.
So, when should you visit urgent care for hives, and when is it something more serious? AFC Urgent Care Back Bay helps patients in Back Bay, Downtown Boston, Beacon Hill, and nearby neighborhoods get care for many non-life-threatening allergic reactions.
What Do Hives Look Like and What Causes Them?
Hives typically look like raised, itchy patches or welts on the skin. They can be red, pink, or similar to your natural skin color. You might notice them on your arms or legs, across your torso, or even on your face. They can also change shape, fade in one spot, and pop up somewhere else.
There are several possible causes of hives, including:
- Food allergies: Foods like nuts, shellfish, and eggs can trigger a reaction in some people.
- Medications: Certain antibiotics and pain relievers may cause hives.
- Infections: Some viral illnesses can lead to an outbreak.
- Environmental triggers: Heat, cold, pressure, or contact with certain substances can cause hives in some people.
Try not to scratch the affected areas, even if they're really itchy. Scratching can irritate your skin further. If the hives keep coming back, spread, or aren't getting better, it's worth checking with a medical provider to find out what's going on.
When Should I Visit Urgent Care for Hives?
If your hives are uncomfortable, keep spreading, or aren't improving, urgent care may be a good place to start, as long as you aren't experiencing signs of a severe allergic reaction.
You may also want to get checked if the hives started after taking a new medication or if you're experiencing other symptoms that concern you. It's especially important to seek medical advice if the reaction keeps returning or you're unsure what's causing it.
At urgent care, a provider can look at your skin, ask about your symptoms, and discuss possible triggers. Depending on what they find, they may recommend medication to help relieve the itching or suggest additional evaluation if another condition could be causing the rash.
When Do Hives Require Emergency Care?
Hives don't always mean you're having a serious allergic reaction, but certain symptoms should never be ignored. If you develop hives along with difficulty breathing, wheezing, throat tightness, swelling of the tongue or throat, or dizziness and fainting, you may be experiencing anaphylaxis.
Call 911 immediately if you experience these symptoms. Do not drive yourself to urgent care or wait for the reaction to improve. If you have a prescribed epinephrine auto-injector, use it as directed and seek emergency medical care.
If you're experiencing hives without these emergency symptoms, AFC Urgent Care Back Bay can evaluate your symptoms and help determine whether medical treatment is needed.
Visit AFC Urgent Care Back Bay for Hives
If you're dealing with persistent hives or an itchy rash that isn't improving, AFC Urgent Care Back Bay can evaluate your skin concerns. Our clinic is located on Boylston Street in Boston, making us convenient for patients in Back Bay, Downtown Boston, Beacon Hill, Fenway-Kenmore, and surrounding neighborhoods.
We're open seven days a week from 8 AM to 8 PM. You can walk in without an appointment or save your spot online. If you're not sure what's causing your hives or they're becoming difficult to manage, call (617) 869-0500 and our team can answer any questions you may have.