How is the diagnosis of hives done? Let us understand some simple facts on this skin disorder. The medical term of hives is urticaria. These are often itchy and raised red coloured welts on the skin surface and can occur on any part of your body except for the palms and soles of the feet. It is a common skin disorder that can happen to anyone of any age or race at any time of the year.
Hives can be categorized as acute or chronic, depending upon the duration of the episode. A condition accompanying hives that causes a swelling deep inside the skin is termed as angioedema. This is often visible on the hands and feet as well as on the mucous membranes.
How is hives diagnosed?
Skin eruptions on the body is diagnosed clinically by making a close examination of the affected area. Once the eruptions are observed and experienced, the patients themselves can recognize urticaria too. A careful and systematic case history of the patient is done by the physician to arrive at an exact diagnosis of hives in terms of its causation. For this, it is important to have full co-operation from the patient to give full and complete information and adhering to strict guidelines as advised by the physician.
In order to make a correct diagnosis, it is important to conduct a careful case analysis and evaluation. A systematic approach is followed to evaluate the whole body system, by ruling out certain diseases such as malignancy, endocrine disorders, lupus or other allergic conditions. One may also require to undergo a hormonal study and a detailed thyroid profile.
