whatto take for hives

Dear Mary,

Hives are a very common problem in this country. Acute hives (also referred to as urticaria, which means hives) are skin eruptions, like welts, that may go and come for up to six weeks. Chronic hives generally last more than six weeks.

See: Hives (Urticaria) on this site (posted Aug 2007)

The key to treating hives is figuring out the cause, or trigger. This is not very easy in many situations. We (allergists) first consider a new food, drug or body product. High risk foods include all nuts, peanuts and shellfish. Any food may be a trigger. High risk drugs are: antibiotics, aspirin, Ibuprofen, Naproxen and similar pain relievers. There are many other possible triggers.

What drugs to take?

Patients I see for hives are fully evaluated before recommending treatment. Antihistamines are the mainstay of treatment. There are many over-the-counter (OTC) antihistamines as well as prescribed ones. I select a specific antihistamine based on information the patient provides me during the examination. If hives are very severe and involve large areas of the body, I consider prescribing multiple antihistamines and oral steroid (7-10 day course). I spend several minutes discussing possible side effects and how to avoid them. It is important to consider other drugs being taken at the same time (drug interactions need to be avoided).

I recommend you call your doctor or visit an Urgent Care to confirm your diagnosis and get advice on what to take. Fifty percent of people that have hives also have angioedema (swelling). If swelling occurs in the back of the mouth or throat immediately call 911. Throat closure is an extremely dangerous association in some situations of hives and swelling.

Good Luck Mary,

J. Thompson, MD