Should i treat hives

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Measure content performance. Develop and improve products. List of Partners vendors. While many hive eruptions go away on their own without treatment, others may require medications and self-care therapies.

The choice of treatment is largely based on the underlying cause and may include over-the-counter antihistamines, corticosteroids, anti-inflammatory drugs, monoclonal antibodies, or even a simple cooling bath. Most cases of acute urticaria are allergy-related. Chronic urticaria hives lasting over six weeks or recurring over months or years is believed to be caused by an autoimmune response.

In both cases, the hives are caused by a substance or condition that the body reacts abnormally to. The reaction may be triggered by any number of things, including foods, drugs, pollen, insect stings and bites, or latex.

This photo contains content that some people may find graphic or disturbing. Simply removing yourself from the trigger may be enough to provide relief. By and large, acute hives are self-limiting and usually resolve within hours or days without treatment. If the hives are especially itchy, you can use a wet, cold compress to soothe the itch and reduce swelling.

The simplest way to do this is to soak a washcloth in a bowl of ice water and apply it directly to the skin. To further ease the discomfort, wear loose clothing either made of cotton or a smooth, lightweight synthetic like rayon.

Avoid wool, linen, denim, or any textured fabric that can irritate the skin. You should also avoid getting overheated, as this can exacerbate symptoms. And, whatever you do, do not scratch. Antihistamines are the best, first-line treatment for hives. These drugs work by suppressing histamine , a chemical produced by the immune system that instigates the symptoms of allergy. For most types of urticaria, an over-the-counter OTC antihistamine may provide ample relief.

Unlike older generation antihistamines, the newer options are typically non-drowsy and may last for as long as 24 hours. They include:. Side effects tend to be mild and include dizziness, dry mouth, nausea, constipation, and cough. Benadryl diphenhydramine , an older antihistamine, is generally avoided during the daytime due to its sedating effect, but it may help you sleep if the itchiness is keeping you up at night.

Histamine H2-receptor antagonists, also known as H2 blockers, are another class of drug sometimes used in tandem with antihistamines. Commonly prescribed to treat heartburn, H2 blockers work by narrowing blood vessels in the skin and, by doing so, relieve redness and inflammation.

They include such popular OTC brands as:. Uncommon side effects include a headache, dizziness, diarrhea, muscle ache, joint pain, and rash. Certain chronic forms may require different medications, particularly if the trigger is physical rather than allergic. Among the prescription drugs commonly used are antihistamines, corticosteroids, leukotriene modifiers, and a monoclonal antibody specifically approved to treat chronic urticaria.

Clarinex desloratadine is an antihistamine similar to Claritin and Zyrtec, but it is only available by prescription. If non-drowsy antihistamines fail to provide relief, your healthcare provider may prescribe Vistaril hydroxyzine pamoate to be taken at bedtime. It is a stronger antihistamine used to treat a wide range of skin reactions including chronic urticaria, contact dermatitis , and histamine-related itch pruritis. Hydroxyzine is sedating for most patients and can lead to falls and confusion in the elderly.

Less common side effects can include headache, stomach upset, and blurred vision. If antihistamines fail to provide relief even at higher doses or cause intolerable side effects, your healthcare provider may opt to treat you with corticosteroids to quickly bring down the swelling and itchiness. Corticosteroids are able to dampen the immune system as a whole. So whether the cause is allergic or autoimmune both of which are mediated by the immune system , these drugs can "dial down" the symptoms when other drugs can't.

Prednisone is most commonly prescribed for this and may be delivered either by injection or in pill form. Corticosteroids should only be used for short-term treatment due to the risk of serious side effects, including osteoporosis, glaucoma, and diabetes.

Leukotriene Modifiers. Leukotriene modifiers work by stopping the effects of or decreasing the production of leukotrienes, substances that can trigger the narrowing of air passages and promotes inflammation.

By tempering the latter effect, leukotriene modifiers have been noted to be useful in some cases of urticaria although the FDA has not labeled this class of medications to be used for urticaria. Montelukast is among the medications that have a black box warning on their label, due to potential neuropsychiatric side effects. This oral antihistamine can reduce the rash and other symptoms, like itching, by working from the inside out. Be sure to follow the dosage instructions on the package.

Benadryl usually kicks in within an hour, and you should see symptom reduction the same day. Benadryl may cause drowsiness.

These antihistamines typically come in or hour formulas to provide extended relief. You may need to adjust the dosage to effectively treat hives, so talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can advise you on how much to take and how often.

Talk to your doctor about your symptoms and how you can best find relief. This corticosteroid is taken orally. You should only use it for a short period of time as directed by your doctor. Corticosteroids can have side effects, especially if taken for extended periods of time. Side effects can include:. This antibiotic is available topically and as an oral medication.

This medication can treat inflammation caused by hives or other skin conditions caused by bacterial infection. This nonsteroidal treatment option is taken orally. These drugs should be used only after steroid treatment and antihistamines have been unsuccessful.

Common side effects are headache, stomach upset, cough, and a low fever. This medication must be injected under the skin. This option is only available if your hives have lasted for months or years. Common side effects are headache, dizziness, inner ear pain, and cold symptoms. If your symptoms worsen or last longer than a couple of days, see your doctor. They can identify the cause and provide you with medication to help relieve your symptoms. Understanding what caused the hives is key to preventing future outbreaks.

There are home remedy options for hives that can soothe skin and alleviate symptoms. Learn common treatments and when to seek medical attention. Hives, or urticaria, are itchy, raised welts that are found on the skin. Hives are often caused by an allergic reaction. Calamine lotion is an over-the-counter OTC medication that can help relieve mild itchiness, or pruritus. It can be used to treat a variety of skin….

You may experience hives if your body temperature rises, such as with exercise or exposure to sunlight. It is a condition also commonly known as weals, welts, or nettle rash. The medical term for hives is urticaria. While the symptoms of hives can be very irritating, there are many ways to treat, soothe, and get rid of hives.

In most cases, the rash usually settles within a few days. Hives is a type of skin condition usually resulting in a raised, itchy rash. There are several different types of hives, although the effects are mostly the same.

Acute urticaria. This rash lasts less than 6 weeks and is usually brought on by an adverse or allergic reaction to certain foods or medications. Infections and insect bites can also cause this type of rash. Chronic urticaria and angioedema. These rashes last for more than 6 weeks. The rash is may be caused by an underlying medical condition, such as thyroid disease, cancer , or hepatitis.

Chronic urticaria and angioedema is a more severe form of hives than acute urticarial, as it can spread to different areas of the body, including the lungs, muscles, and gastrointestinal tract.

Angioedema is not usually itchy but causes a deeper swelling of the skin. Physical urticaria. This is due to irritation of the skin. Extreme heat or cold, overexposure to the sun, excessive sweating , or clothes rubbing the skin during exercise can all result in an outbreak. This rash rarely spreads beyond the original location.

This condition is when hives occurs due to scratching or vigorously rubbing the skin. A hives outbreak occurs when high levels of histamine and other chemical messengers are released into the skin, causing a rash and other symptoms to surface.

The high levels of histamine cause blood vessels in the affected area to open up and start to leak. The resulting fluid in the tissues causes swelling and itchiness. Different triggers might cause a person to have an outbreak of hives.

Some common causes include:.