Hives Occur In The Skin And Are Common
Up to 20% of people will develop hives at some time during their life. In most cases, hives are not due to allergy. Underneath the lining of the skin and other body organs are mast cells. Mast cells contain chemicals including histamine. When these are released into the skin they irritate nerve endings to cause local itch and irritation and make local blood vessels expand and leak fluid, triggering redness and swelling.
What Is The Prognosis For People With Hives
For most people, hives dont cause serious problems. Children often outgrow allergies that cause hives.
For some people, allergic reactions like angioedema can cause anaphylaxis severe swelling of the airways and lungs. If you have this life-threatening condition, you should carry and know when and how to use injectable epinephrine .
Causes Of Widespread Hives
- Viral Infection. The most common cause of hives all over the body is viral infections. Research has confirmed this. Other symptoms such as a fever, cough or diarrhea are also present. The hives may last 3 days. This is not an allergy.
- Bacterial Infection. Some bacterial infections can also cause hives. A common example is Strep. Hives are also seen with bladder infections.
- Drug Reaction. An example is a penicillin rash. Most rashes that start while taking an antibiotic are viral rashes. Allergy tests are normal 90% of the time. Only 10% turn out to be a drug allergy.
- Food Reaction. May be an allergy or a coincidence. If the food is a high risk one , consult an allergist. Hives from foods usually resolve in 6 hours. Hives from infections last for days. Only 3% of hives are due to a food.
- Bee Sting. Widespread hives after a sting may be part of a serious allergic reaction. Need to consult an allergist.
- Anaphylactic Reaction . The sudden onset of hives with trouble breathing or swallowing. This is a severe allergic reaction to an allergic food or drug. Most often begins within 30 minutes of swallowing the substance. Always within 2 hours of exposure.
- Unknown. Over 30% of the time, the cause of hives is not found.
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How To Take Antihistamines
Depending on your symptoms, you can take antihistamines:
- Every day, to help keep daily symptoms under control
- Only when you have symptoms
- Before being exposed to things that often cause your allergy symptoms, such as a pet or certain plants
For many people with allergies, symptoms are the worst around 4 a.m. to 6 a.m. Taking an antihistamine at bedtime may help you or your child feel better in the morning during allergy season.
What Other Drugs Will Affect Diphenhydramine
Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using this medicine if you are also using any other drugs, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Some medicines can cause unwanted or dangerous effects when used together. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.
Taking this medicine with other drugs that make you sleepy or slow your breathing can worsen these effects. Ask your doctor before taking diphenhydramine with a sleeping pill, narcotic pain medicine, muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety, depression, or seizures.
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Most People With Hives Do Not Need Tests
Tests are sometimes done when hives go on for long periods, or when unusual symptoms are occurring around the same time. This is to exclude other diseases, which may appear as hives first, and other conditions later. If hives are associated with high fever, bruising, bleeding into the skin, purple lumps that last for several days, or sore joints, a doctors appointment should be arranged promptly.
Allergy testing is performed when the history suggests an allergic cause.
Is Benadryl Used For Dogs
Benadryl is not approved for use in dogs. But in some cases, a veterinarian might recommend giving Benadryl to your dog to treat allergies. However, its important to talk with a veterinarian before using any medication for your dog. They can recommend whether Benadryl is safe for your dog and what dosage might be needed.
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What Are Benadryl’s Side Effects
The common side effects of Benadryl include sleepiness, dizziness, headache, dry mouth, dry eyes, and weakness. If these symptoms are severe or do not go away after a few days, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
Benadryl can also cause more serious side effects, such as problems with cognition , memory, fast heartbeat , and seizures. Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and seek emergency medical care for serious side effects such as seizures.
Benadryl For Sinus Pain
Over-the-counter Benadryl products arent approved to treat sinus pain. However, some oral Benadryl products contain diphenhydramine, an antihistamine, and a called phenylephrine. These products can help reduce nasal congestion and stuffiness and may also help reduce sinus pressure or pain.
These products include:
- Childrens Allergy Plus Congestion
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How Should I Take Diphenhydramine
Use diphenhydramine exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Cold or allergy medicine is usually taken only for a short time until your symptoms clear up.
Do not give diphenhydramine to a child younger than 2 years old. Always ask a doctor before giving a cough or cold medicine to a child. Death can occur from the misuse of cough and cold medicines in very young children. You should not use diphenhydramine to make a child sleepy.
Measure liquid medicine with a special dose-measuring spoon or medicine cup. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.
For motion sickness, take diphenhydramine 30 minutes before you will be in a situation that causes you motion sickness . Continue taking diphenhydramine with meals and at bedtime for the rest of the time you will be in a motion-sickness situation.
As a sleep aid, take diphenhydramine within 30 minutes before bedtime.
This medication can affect the results of allergy skin tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using diphenhydramine.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
For Itchy Skin From Insect Bites Stings Hives Allergic Reactions Or Other Causes
Adults and children from age 2+ can use the topical form of Benadryl and apply gel, cream, or spray to the affected area up to 4 times daily unless the area is widespread and the oral form is advised by a healthcare professional. Children under 2 years of age should use Benadryl topical products only if advised by a physician.
This is a general dosing guide. Some patients, for example, elderly patients, may need to take lower doses of this medication. If you have any specific questions about Benadryl dosages regarding your age and condition, you should consult your doctor or pharmacist.
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Care Advice For Hives
What Interacts With Benadryl
Foods do not interfere with the absorption or effectiveness of Benadryl.
Several OTC and prescription drugs can interact with Benadryl, and some may reduce Benadryls effectiveness. Drugs that depress or slow down the central nervous system such as tranquilizers, alcohol, or sedatives may enhance Benadryl side effects such as drowsiness, dizziness, sedation, dry mouth, and blurred vision. Always talk to a healthcare provider before combining Benadryl Allergy with central nervous system depressants or other medications.
Benadryl Allergy Plus Congestion also contains phenylephrine, a stimulant. When taken with monoamine oxidase inhibitors , a family of drugs that includes certain types of antidepressants, antibiotics, and Parkinsons medications, phenylephrine can cause a dangerous and potentially life-threatening rise in blood pressure. Benadryl should not be taken with an MAO inhibitor or within 14 days of discontinuing an MAOI inhibitor. Consult with your doctor, pharmacist, or other healthcare provider if you think a medication youre taking might be an MAO inhibitor.
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What If I Forget To Take Or Use It
If you’re taking diphenhydramine to help you sleep and you forget to take it by bedtime, skip your missed dose and start again the next evening.
If you’re taking any other medicine containing diphenhydramine and forget to take a dose, take your medicine when you next need it to ease your symptoms.
Never take 2 doses at the same time. Never take an extra dose to make up for a forgotten one.
If you forget doses often, it may help to set an alarm to remind you. You could also ask your pharmacist for advice on other ways to help you remember to take your medicine.
What Does Anxiety Rash Look Like
Anxiety rashes often look like hives which can appear anywhere on the body. They are generally red and blotchy and can either be really small or take up space on your body. Sometimes, these blotchy spots can form to create even bigger welts. This rash will most likely itch which will make it burn when you touch it.
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Memory Loss Or Dementia
Taking Benadryl may cause memory loss or dementia. Although rare, this side effect may be more common in older adults or people whove taken the drug long term. Symptoms can include:
- trouble speaking or finding the right words to say
- trouble concentrating
What might help
If youre experiencing memory loss or dementia while taking Benadryl, talk with your doctor. Theyll likely suggest that you stop taking Benadryl. Theyll also look for the cause of your memory loss or dementia so that they can recommend the right treatment for you.
Common Questions About Acrivastine
Acrivastine is a type of medicine called an antihistamine.
When you come into contact with something you’re allergic to, such as pollen, animal hair or if you’re bitten or stung by an insect, your body produces a chemical called histamine.
Usually histamine is a useful substance, but in an allergic reaction it causes unpleasant symptoms including itchy, watery eyes, a running or blocked nose, sneezing and skin rashes.
Acrivastine blocks the effects of histamine and reduces these symptoms.
You should start to feel better within 1 to 2 hours of taking acrivastine.
It depends on why you’re taking acrivastine.
You may only need to take it as a one-off dose or for 1 or 2 days for example, if you have a reaction to an insect bite.
You may need to take acrivastine for longer if you’re taking it to prevent symptoms for example, to stop hay fever when the pollen count is high.
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you’re unsure how long you need to take acrivastine for.
Acrivastine is unlikely to do you any harm if you take it for a long time. But it’s best to take it only for as long as you need to.
It’s best not to drink alcohol while you’re taking acrivastine as it can make you feel sleepy.
Do not drink grapefruit juice when you’re taking acrivastine. It might make you more likely to have side effects.
Acrivastine is classed as a non-drowsy antihistamine, but it’s still possible to feel sleepy after taking it.
Speak to your doctor if you’re having difficulty sleeping.
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Fexofenadine Loratadine And Cetirizine
These antihistamines typically come in 12- or 24-hour formulas to provide extended relief. Theyre also less likely to cause drowsiness than diphenhydramine.
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.
If youre experiencing severe or chronic hives, prescription medication may be necessary. Talk to your doctor about your symptoms and how you can best find relief.
Common prescription options include:
Side Effects Of Antihistamines
Ask your provider if antihistamines are safe for you or your child, what side effects to watch for, and how antihistamines may affect other medicines you or your child take.
- Antihistamines are thought to be safe for adults.
- Most antihistamines are also safe for children over 2 years old.
- If you are breastfeeding or pregnant, ask your provider if antihistamines are safe for you.
- Adults who take antihistamines should know how the medicine affects them before driving or using machinery.
- If your child is taking antihistamines, make sure the medicine is not affecting your child’s ability to learn.
There may be special precautions for using antihistamines if you have:
Allergic rhinitis – antihistamine Hives – antihistamine Allergic conjunctivitis – antihistamine Urticaria – antihistamine Dermatitis – antihistamine Eczema – antihistamine
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What Should I Avoid
This medication may cause blurred vision and may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert and able to see clearly.
Drinking alcohol can increase certain side effects of diphenhydramine.
Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using any other cold, cough, allergy, or sleep medicine. Antihistamines are contained in many combination medicines. Taking certain products together can cause you to get too much of this type of medicine. Check the label to see if a medicine contains an antihistamine.
What Are The Symptoms Of Chronic Hives
In many respects, chronic hives and acute hives may look alike: they can be itchy, swollen raised welts that turn lighter in the center and with pressure. However, chronic hives can:
- Shift sizes and shapes.
- Appear, disappear and then reappear at least every few days for long periods of time, even months or years.
- Happen along with heat, exercise or stress.
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How Effective Is Benadryl For Treating Hives
How effective is Benadryl for treating hives? You can treat the hives with calamine lotion as necessary. 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.
How quickly does Benadryl work on hives? While how fast does Benadryl work on hives and its results vary among individual, this antihistamine usually takes effect that lasts for 6 to 8 hours. Patients are usually advised to continue taking this diphenhydramine 4 times per day, until the hives are gone for at least 12 hours.
Does Benadryl help reduce hives? Benadryl is effective for . Its often considered a first-choice treatment for hives. But although its effective for decreasing symptoms of seasonal allergies,
How to treat hives with Benadryl? Feel free to add some uncooked oatmeal , baking soda or colloidal oatmeal, which will usually helps relieve the itchy feeling by blocking any further release of histamine. Like Benadryl , a cool bath wont make your hives go away, but at least itll calm your angry skin.
Cautions With Other Medicines
Some medicines affect how acrivastine works or can increase the chances of you having side effects.
Check with your pharmacist or doctor if you’re taking:
- ketoconazole, a medicine to treat fungal infections
- erythromycin, an antibiotic
- any medicine that makes you sleepy, gives you a dry mouth, or makes it difficult for you to pee taking acrivastine might make these side effects worse
Acrivastine mixed with pseudoephedrine affects lots of medicines. Check with your pharmacist or doctor before you take it.
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Pregnancy And Breastfeeding While Taking Benadryl
Its usually safe to take Benadryl during pregnancy. Benadryl doesnt seem to increase the risk of fetal harm.
And taking small doses of Benadryl for a short time may be safe while breastfeeding.
But Benadryl does pass into breast milk, and it can also decrease milk supply.
If youre breastfeeding and you take high doses of Benadryl, it may increase your childs risk of side effects. This is also the case if you take the drug long term.
High doses or long-term use of Benadryl may also reduce your supply of breast milk.
If youre pregnant or planning to become pregnant, talk with your doctor about the safety of Benadryl treatment during pregnancy. Also talk with your doctor about this if youre breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed.