What exactly will a dermatologist do?

I%26#039;ve had severe hives since January. I%26#039;ve been to a specialist in Florida who did a RAST test and I got my results showing what foods are %26quot;harmful%26quot; to my body. While I still avoid those foods, I have been breaking out in bad hives again. Now my doctor wants to send me to a dermatologist in Pittsburgh. What exactly will a dermatologist do for me if I know my hives are caused from an allergic reaction? I am just hesitant because I don%26#039;t want to waste all kinds of money on a doctor who is just going to tell me %26quot;yeah you have hives, good luck finding the cause%26quot; -- What kind of tests might they run to find the problem out?|||An allergy specialist is probably a better option for you at this point (they are also M.D.s or D.O.s). If anyone is able to find out the underlying cause for your ongoing allergies, your best bet is someone that specializes in it. In addition, they might want to put you on an antihistimine to bring the allergic reaction under control. Good luck!|||Some skin conditions look like hives but arent. Your doctor probably wants to be sure specially since you already avoid the foods which you are allergic to. If it really was simple hives then you should not have the problem anymore since you already avoid the food you are allergic too|||Hives is usu caused by an allergic reaction to something. I don%26#039;t know what a RAST test is that you had. Perhaps a dermatologist can take skin scrapings to send to lab for examination under microscope? IDK but I would ask lots of questions to the physician who is referring you as to why he/she feels this is necessary.