If you or your child are stuck in the itch-and-scratch puzzle, you might be thinking of visiting a healthcare provider. But you can’t decide whether to visit a nearby urgent care facility or seek emergency medical services. Should you rush to urgent care for hives or just tough it out?

Feeling a bit lost? Let’s clear the fog right now. In this blog, you’re about to untangle your confusion regarding visiting an urgent care or emergency center to treat your hives. 

You’ll also find out some questions your healthcare provider can ask during your visit so you’re ready to talk to your healthcare provider right away.

Should I Go To The Doctor For Hives?

Mild hives presenting with rash, itchiness, and redness don’t require a trip to a doctor’s office as the symptoms might wear off on their own. 

However, there are certain conditions when seeking a doctor’s advice is necessary:

• You notice full-body hives with itching, small bumps, and redness. 
• If you have any problem while swallowing solid or liquid food. 
• Feel lightheaded or dizzy. 
• Swelling in the face, lips, or tongue
• If mild hives symptoms are not wearing off within a day or two.
• If the symptoms of hives were triggered after an insect bite, animal dander, pollen or if you’ve taken any medication, seafood or any other food. 

Ignoring the symptoms of an allergic reaction and not seeking help can be dangerous as it can lead to further complications. Therefore, you must look for medical advice promptly if you notice any of these above-mentioned signs in your body. 

Before you feel confused about whether to visit an urgent care or an emergency facility! Let’s find out the right place for you if you or your child experiences symptoms of hives. 

When Should You Go To Urgent Care For An Allergic Reaction?

Urgent care centers are more convenient as they’re available even on weekends. Therefore, when you can’t reach out to your primary care physician in a short time, you can visit an urgent care facility nearer to your house. 

Here are some reasons why visiting an urgent care center for hives might be a good choice: 

• When hives cover your whole body
• You notice swelling on the eyelids, lips, mouth and throat or beneath the skin. 
• If there is redness, itchiness and pain in any part of your body.
• Your child is getting uncomfortable and irritable due to persistent swelling and itchiness. 
• You or your child have a fever.

A quick heads up! if you have tried antihistamines and still the symptoms aren’t wearing off, you must seek medical advice from your healthcare provider without delay. 

However, not all cases of hives can be treated in urgent care. Read further to find out when you should head to the emergency care facility. 

When To Go To Emergency For Hives?

If you have shortness of breath, wheezing, swelling or drowsiness in your throat along with hives, you need to contact emergency medical services or visit an ER without any delay. This could be a sign of a severe allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis. 

Here are some signs that demand prompt attention at the emergency care facility if you have hives with any of the following:

• Low blood pressure
• Pulse is weak and fast
• Tightness or swelling in the throat
• Lethargy, dizziness, drowsiness, or fainting
• A sudden full-body rash that is irritating
• If your child is not responding normally 

If you have experienced any of these symptoms before and your healthcare provider had prescribed an epinephrine auto-injector (EpiPen) in the past, you can use it to prevent anaphylaxis. However, visit an ER for proper evaluation even after you have used the auto-injector. 

What Can You Expect In Urgent Care If You Have Hives?

Once you visit an urgent care facility, your doctor will examine your skin and assess whether you have hives or other conditions like eczema, dermatitis, or cellulitis. 

Then the doctor will ask you about your medical history, symptoms, or any possible triggers of hives. Some possible questions they can ask you are:

• How often do you get hives?
• How long do the symptoms last?
• How severe have your symptoms been?
• What are the causes or triggers of hives symptoms?
• Are there any medicines that have triggered these symptoms? 

Next, a doctor will order some diagnostic tests, such as blood tests or skin biopsy to find the underlying cause of the illness. 

After examining your condition, your doctor would prescribe you antihistamines or other allergy medicines, if deemed necessary. 

If you’re looking for a quick relief from hives at home, you can also take a cool bath or shower, wear loose-fitting clothing or even apply cold compresses. 

Visit Family Urgent Care For Hives

All in all, mild hives symptoms are usually harmless and can be self-managed at home. However, in some cases, you might need to visit a healthcare provider if you notice swelling or if hives cover your entire body. 

If you’re in need of urgent care for hives, your search ends here! Family Urgent Care is here as your go-to destination for quick relief and expert attention from board-certified experts. If you live near Rogers Park, Lincoln’s Park or Schererville, you can walk into our clinic even without an appointment and get your checkup done. 

However, if you’re having severe allergy reaction symptoms like trouble breathing or swelling in the throat, call the emergency center or visit a nearby emergency facility as anaphylaxis can be life-threatening if not treated immediately.