Hives, also known as urticaria, are raised red skin outbreaks that appear quickly, often in response to allergens such as certain foods or medications or due to emotional stressors. They can itch, burn, or feel painful and usually blanch upon slight pressure. A large percentage of people experience hives at some point in their lives.
Frequent Triggers of Hives
Some common triggers for hives include:
- Medications: Penicillins, sulfa, aspirin
- Foods: Peanuts, shellfish, eggs, nuts, citrus fruits
- Other Factors: Pressure, cold, heat, exercise, sun exposure
Treatment of Hives
In most cases, urticaria usually goes away by itself within 6 to 12 hours. However, in some patients, it may last for weeks or even months, with no apparent trigger found. Below are some remedies:
- Cool Washcloth: Applying a cool washcloth can lessen discomfort.
- Oatmeal Bath: An oatmeal (Aveeno) bath with baking soda, unscented soap, and lukewarm water is soothing.
- Avoid Irritants: Patients should avoid bright sunlight, perfume, and fragranced moisturizers.
- Aloe Vera: Aloe vera is soothing for the skin.
- Lotions: Help stop itching, important to eliminate scratching, which can spread the lesions.
- Calamine Lotion
- Benadryl (diphenhydramine) Cream
- Oral Over-the-Counter Antihistamines: Counteract histamine, which drives the reaction.
- Benadryl (diphenhydramine): 50 mg by mouth, repeat every 6 hours as needed.
- Allegra (fexofenadine): 180 mg by mouth, once a day with food.
- Claritin (loratadine): 25 to 50 mg by mouth every 4 to 6 hours.
- Zyrtec (cetirizine): 10 mg once or twice a day.
What is Prednisone?
Prednisone is a corticosteroid medication that reduces inflammation and suppresses the immune system.
Prednisone mimics the action of cortisol, a hormone produced by the adrenal glands that regulates inflammation and immune response. It is used to treat a variety of conditions, including allergic reactions like hives, asthma, arthritis, and autoimmune diseases.
When prescribed online for hives, prednisone helps to alleviate symptoms by reducing the inflammation and immune response that causes the red, itchy, and swollen patches on the skin. It is usually taken orally in tablet form, with the dosage varying depending on the severity of the condition and the patient’s response to the treatment.
Side Effects of Prednisone
While effective, prednisone can have side effects, especially with long-term use, so it is typically prescribed for short durations or at the lowest effective dose.
Common side effects of prednisone include:
- Increased appetite and weight gain
- Mood swings
- Insomnia
- Elevated blood pressure
- Increased blood sugar levels
Because of these potential side effects, prednisone should be taken exactly as prescribed by a healthcare provider, and patients should be monitored regularly during treatment.
When to Seek Emergency Treatment for Hives
If you have difficulty breathing or swelling of the tongue or face, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
Get Prednisone Online with QuickMD
Did you know? QuickMD can treat hives from the convenience of your home and provide you with a prescription for prednisone online. This means you can manage your hives without the hassle of visiting a doctor’s office, giving you more control over your health.
