Medical
Hives (Urticaria)
Hives are itchy, raised welts that come and go, caused by histamine release from allergies, infections, stress or unknown triggers. Dermatologists treat acute and chronic urticaria with antihistamines and, for resistant chronic cases, omalizumab.
Overview
Acute hives last less than six weeks; chronic urticaria lasts longer and often has no identifiable trigger.
Swelling of lips or throat or difficulty breathing is an emergency.
At a glance
Treatment options
Non-sedating antihistamines (sometimes at higher doses), short steroid courses, omalizumab, cyclosporine.
Tests
Usually limited; targeted tests if a trigger is suspected.
Emergency
Call 119 in Korea for breathing difficulty.
Frequently asked questions
Are hives an allergy?
Sometimes, but chronic hives are often autoimmune or idiopathic.
Will chronic hives go away?
Most cases resolve within a few years.
Is omalizumab available in Korea?
Yes, for chronic spontaneous urticaria.
Related
Choose a specialist
See a board-certified dermatologist, not just a “skin clinic”
In Korea, only about 1 in 10 clinics that treat skin is run by a dermatology specialist (피부과 전문의). Specialists complete a four-year dermatology residency and a national exam. Our directory lists only clinics in the Association of Korean Dermatologists’ specialist search. This page is general information, not medical advice.