If your symptoms are mild, you may not need treatment. Hives and angioedema often clear up on their own. But treatment can offer relief from intense itching, serious discomfort or symptoms that persist. For a severe attack of hives or angioedema, you may need a trip to the emergency room and an emergency injection of epinephrine — a type of adrenaline. If you have had a serious attack or your attacks recur despite treatment, your doctor may have you carry a penlike device that will allow you to self-inject epinephrine in emergencies.
Explore Mayo Clinic studies testing new treatments, interventions and tests as a means to prevent, detect, treat or manage this condition. You're likely to start by seeing your primary care doctor. In some cases when you call to set up an appointment, you may be referred immediately to a skin disease specialist dermatologist or to an allergy specialist.
Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Diagnosis To diagnose hives or angioedema, your doctor will likely look at your welts or areas of swelling and ask about your medical history.
Treatment If your symptoms are mild, you may not need treatment. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Is It Hives or Angioedema? The following symptoms may indicate angioedema: Swelling in the eyes or mouth Swelling of the hands, feet or throat Difficulty breathing, stomach cramps or swelling of the lining of the eyes The best way to identify your symptoms is to talk to an allergist who can diagnose and treat both hives and angioedema.
Diagnosis In some cases, the trigger is obvious — a person eats peanuts or shrimp , and then breaks out within a short time. Management and Treatment Researchers have identified many — but not all — of the factors that can cause hives. Here are a few of the most common causes: Some food especially peanuts, eggs, nuts and shellfish Medications, such as antibiotics especially penicillin and sulfa , aspirin and ibuprofen Insect stings or bites Physical stimuli such as pressure, cold, heat, exercise or sun exposure Latex Blood transfusions Bacterial infections, including urinary tract infections and strep throat Viral infections, including the common cold, infectious mononucleosis and hepatitis Pet dander Pollen Some plants Antihistamines — available either over the counter or by prescription — are a frequently recommended treatment for hives.
Rubbing or scratching: Avoid harsh soaps. Frequent baths may reduce itching and scratching — beneficial because itching and scratching can make the hives feel worse. Constant pressure: Avoid tight clothing. Pressure hives can be relieved by wearing loose-fitting clothes. Temperature: If you develop hives when exposed to cold, do not swim alone in cold water and always carry an epinephrine auto-injector. Avoid exposure to cold air and use a scarf around your nose and mouth in cold weather.
If you must be out in the cold, wear warm clothing. Sun exposure: Wear protective clothing; apply sunblock. Medications: Notify your physician or pharmacist immediately if you suspect that a specific medication is causing your hives. Chronic hives Some cases of hives last for more than six weeks and can last months or years.
Physical urticaria In physical urticaria, the hives have a physical cause, such as exposure to heat, cold or pressure. Common triggers include: Rubbing or scratching.
This is the most frequent cause of physical urticaria. Symptoms appear within a few minutes in the place that was rubbed or scratched and typically last less than an hour. Pressure or constriction. Delayed pressure urticaria can appear as red swelling six to eight hours after pressure belts or constrictive clothing, for example has been applied. Symptoms can also occur in parts of the body under constant pressure, such as the soles of the feet.
Change in temperature. Cold urticaria is caused by exposure to low temperatures followed by re-warming. This can be severe and life-threatening if there is a general body cooling — for example, after a plunge into a swimming pool.
Higher body temperature. Sun exposure. Solar urticaria may occur within a few minutes after exposure to the sun. Submit site search Need An Allergist? What Does An Allergist Treat? Who Gets Asthma? Close Modal Close Modal. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Cookie settings Accept. Close Privacy Overview This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website.
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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. Learn about treatment and prevention for heat…. While there isn't a clear explanation for why people get chronic idiopathic urticaria, there are several triggers that can cause symptom flare-ups.
Hives can be dark red, pink, or white bumps or raised areas. They may appear for no apparent reason. Here's why they happen and what to do.
Autoimmune hives may not always have a known cause, or could be due to an underlying condition. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Medically reviewed by Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.
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