When Allergists Dismiss Hives: Why Antihistamines Often Don’t Work and What You Can Do
Antihistamines often fail for chronic hives because the root cause is frequently not a typical allergy managed by allergists, but rather an underlying autoimmune or inflammatory condition. When allergists dismiss your hives after basic allergy tests and antihistamines, it’s a sign to seek a second opinion from a dermatologist or an immunologist who specializes in chronic urticaria. The key implication is that persistent hives may require a completely different treatment protocol, such as targeted biologic medications, rather than just higher doses of over-the-counter allergy pills. Key Takeaways Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) is often autoimmune, not allergic, meaning standard allergy tests and treatments are frequently inadequate. Specialists like dermatologists or dedicated urticaria experts are often better equipped to diagnose and manage complex, persistent hives than general allergists. Effective treatment for antihistamine-resistant hives can include higher "off-label...