Reddish Purple Knee Area, Had Hives. Advise?

Posted on Tue, 20 Mar 2012

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 20 Mar 2012 Answered on

Wed, 4 Jul 2012 Last reviewed on

Question : I had hives and now my legs around my knees are reddish purple. Help please?

Answered by Dr. Santosh Kondekar (5 hours later)

Hi,

Thanks for your query.

Hives is a kind of allergic reaction that causes itchy weals with erythema, that settles with steroids and antiitching medicines.
Often the diagnosis is clinical and hence no investigations may be asked, The lesions are typical, pink with raised edges and central scaling, multiple and itchy, usually over exposed parts or all over body, there may be any history of allergy in past..
The tests you may need are allergen skin test, and if it is in families serum c1q esterase .
occasionally rash may not be hives, like say typical calf rash may be confused with purpura, in such cases a complete blood count may also be helpful.

I hope this answers your query.
Wishing you a rapid recovery.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T