Raised, itchy patches
Urticaria causes swellings called wheals. They may change shape, join together and appear in different places. An individual wheal usually fades within 24 hours while new ones may appear elsewhere.
Dr Sadaf Sarwar · DHA Phase 5, Lahore
Skin Allergy & Urticaria Treatment in Lahore
Recurring hives, itching or skin swelling? Start with a clear diagnosis and a practical treatment plan.
Dr Sadaf Sarwar, Australian-trained Family Physician, assesses and manages urticaria and skin allergy concerns at Australian Polyclinic, with treatment and follow-up tailored to you.
Ask reception for Dr Sadaf Sarwar. Consultation availability will be confirmed.
- MBBS · FRACGP (Australia)
- Assessment before testing
- Ongoing follow-up
Family Physician · Australian Polyclinic, Lahore
Understand the rash
When hives or itching keep coming back
People often call an itchy rash “skin allergy”. Urticaria is one possible cause, but other skin conditions may look similar. An assessment helps establish what is happening and which treatment is appropriate.
Episodes over several weeks
Acute urticaria lasts less than six weeks. Episodes that continue or recur beyond six weeks are called chronic urticaria. This does not mean that one patch stays in the same place throughout.
Deeper skin swelling
Angioedema is swelling beneath the skin, sometimes affecting the eyelids or lips. It can occur with or without hives. New swelling needs prompt assessment; emergency signs are listed below.
Hives do not always mean a food allergy
Infections, medicines and specific allergic reactions can cause hives. Heat, cold, sweating, friction or pressure may trigger some forms. In chronic spontaneous urticaria, there is no consistent external trigger; immune activity can contribute. A careful history is more useful than guessing which foods to avoid.
Care with Dr Sadaf
A plan for relief, control and follow-up
The aim is to reduce itch and wheals, improve comfort and keep symptoms controlled. Your care plan depends on the pattern of the rash and your individual health needs.
Understand your symptoms
Dr Sadaf reviews the rash, possible triggers, medicines and previous treatment. Bring photographs, any reports and a medication list. Mention swelling and effects on sleep or daily activities.
Choose useful investigations
Tests are selected when they answer a relevant clinical question. Persistent or unusual symptoms may need selected blood tests or further assessment. Broad allergy panels are not routinely needed for chronic hives.
Treat and review progress
Modern, less-sedating antihistamines are usually first-line treatment. Frequent hives may need regular treatment. Follow-up helps assess symptom control and decide whether a supervised adjustment is needed.
If symptoms remain uncontrolled
Dr Sadaf can review the diagnosis, treatment response and whether specialist referral is appropriate. Some patients need additional treatment, such as omalizumab, through a suitable specialist service.
Do not increase doses or combine antihistamines yourself. Even less-sedating medicines can cause drowsiness in some people.
Avoid repeated steroid treatment
Repeated or long-term steroid tablets are generally avoided because of potential harms. A clinician may occasionally consider a short rescue course for a severe flare.
Tell the doctor if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, have other medical conditions or take other medicines, so treatment can be selected appropriately.
Testing with a purpose
Do you need a skin allergy test?
Not everyone with hives needs an allergy test. Routine food or environmental allergy panels often do not explain chronic spontaneous urticaria.
Selected skin prick or allergen-specific blood tests may help when the history suggests an immediate reaction to a particular substance. A positive result must be interpreted alongside the reaction history.
Australian Polyclinic offers skin prick testing when clinically appropriate. Your doctor can advise about an external laboratory for allergen-specific IgE blood testing if needed.
Read our allergy testing guide →Patient guides reviewed by Dr Sadaf Sarwar
Understand hives, recurring symptoms and allergy testing
Read these guides before your consultation or return to them when discussing your treatment and follow-up plan.
Urticaria: symptoms and treatment
Recognising hives, possible causes, useful tests and treatment options.
Read the complete urticaria guide →Why hives keep coming back
Understanding chronic urticaria and making follow-up more useful.
Read about recurring hives →Do hives need allergy tests?
When targeted testing can help and how results are interpreted.
Explore allergy testing for hives →Between appointments
Simple steps that may help
- Keep a short symptom and medication diary.
- Avoid overheating or tight clothing if they consistently worsen your symptoms.
- Tell your doctor if aspirin, ibuprofen or another medicine seems to trigger a flare.
- Avoid restrictive diets without a clear reason and professional guidance.
Do not stop a prescribed medicine without medical advice. Bring concerns about a possible medicine reaction to your clinician promptly.
When to seek urgent help
Sudden lip, mouth, tongue or throat swelling, difficulty breathing or swallowing, throat tightness, fainting or collapse needs emergency assessment. Use prescribed adrenaline if indicated by your emergency action plan and seek emergency help. Do not wait for a routine appointment or WhatsApp reply.
Seek prompt medical review for patches that remain fixed beyond 24 hours, are painful, leave bruising or occur with fever or joint pain.
Your questions
Urticaria and skin allergy: common questions
Which doctor should I book for skin allergy at Australian Polyclinic?
Ask for Dr Sadaf Sarwar for urticaria, recurring hives and skin allergy concerns. She provides assessment, treatment and follow-up, with referral when another specialist is needed.
Is urticaria contagious?
Urticaria itself is not contagious. An infection can sometimes trigger hives, but the hives are not something you catch from another person.
Does chronic urticaria mean I am allergic to something I eat?
Not necessarily. Chronic spontaneous urticaria often has no consistent food trigger. A history of a reproducible reaction soon after a particular food needs assessment; broad food avoidance is not a routine treatment for chronic hives.
Do I need a test before seeing Dr Sadaf?
No. Start with a consultation and bring any existing reports. Your history and examination guide whether testing is useful.
Can hives come back after treatment stops?
Yes. Symptoms can fluctuate and may recur while urticaria remains active. Review helps decide how long to continue treatment and when it is appropriate to reduce it. There is no guaranteed timetable for recovery.
Can I book if I am unsure whether the rash is an allergy?
Yes. Dr Sadaf can assess the symptoms and advise whether they fit urticaria, another skin condition or a problem needing further investigation or referral.
Meet your doctor
Dr Sadaf Sarwar
Family Physician · MBBS · FRACGP (Australia)
Dr Sadaf combines family medicine with assessment and management of urticaria and skin allergy concerns at Australian Polyclinic.
View Dr Sadaf’s qualifications and clinical profile →Care that considers your whole health
Your medicines, other conditions and everyday circumstances matter when choosing treatment. Dr Sadaf also provides broader family medicine care and can coordinate the next step when specialist input is needed.
Explore family physician care →Your next step
Book skin allergy care with Dr Sadaf
Ask for Dr Sadaf Sarwar when booking for urticaria, recurring hives or skin allergy concerns.
Prefer a form? Send an appointment enquiry
Reception will confirm Dr Sadaf’s availability, fees and appointment time.
Australian Polyclinic
First Floor, Building 19, CCA
DHA Phase 5, Lahore, Pakistan
Clinic opening hours
Monday–Saturday, 2:00 pm–9:00 pm
Sunday closed
Dr Sadaf’s consultations
Please confirm current sessions with reception.