Urticaria treatments may include medications applied to the skin, taken by mouth, or given as an injection. These treatments should be prescribed or recommended by a doctor based on the type of hives and the symptoms present.
Hives can be triggered by allergies to foods, clothing fabrics, pet dander, dust, or certain medications, for example. One of the simplest and most effective ways to manage hives is to identify what is causing the symptoms and avoid contact with that trigger.
In severe cases, hives may cause swelling of the mouth, tongue, or throat, or difficulty breathing. When these symptoms appear, it is important to seek medical care as soon as possible or go to the nearest emergency room, as this can be life-threatening.
The main urticaria treatments recommended by a doctor are:
1. Calamine lotion for hives
Calamine lotion contains zinc oxide and other ingredients that help soothe and protect the skin. It can help relieve itching caused by mild skin irritation associated with hives.
Calamine lotion should only be used with medical guidance, as it only helps relieve itching on the surface of the skin and does not treat the cause of hives.
In the US, calamine lotion products are available over the counter and may be used by adults and children when used according to the product label and medical guidance.
Calamine products that contain additional ingredients, such as camphor, should only be used according to the label instructions and a doctor’s guidance, especially in young children.
2. Allergy tablets
Allergy tablets for hives, such as antihistamines and corticosteroids, may be recommended by a doctor to reduce symptoms such as itching, redness, swelling, or a burning sensation on the skin.
In general, antihistamines are recommended to treat acute or chronic hives. Corticosteroids may be recommended for pressure urticaria, urticarial vasculitis, or chronic hives when symptoms are very intense or do not improve with antihistamines.
In some cases, the doctor may recommend using antihistamines and corticosteroids together for chronic hives. Chronic hives are hives that last more than 6 weeks, are intense, happen often, or never fully go away.
3. Omalizumab injection
Omalizumab injection may be recommended for chronic hives when allergy medications have not been enough to improve symptoms.
This medication is a type of monoclonal antibody that reduces immune system activity, helping to relieve chronic hives.
Omalizumab is given as a subcutaneous injection, which means it is injected under the skin. It should be used according to medical guidance and may be recommended for adults or children over 12 years old.
4. Epinephrine auto-injector
When hives happen with severe symptoms, such as swelling of the tongue or lips or difficulty breathing, for example, the doctor may recommend using an epinephrine auto-injector.
This auto-injector should be used immediately when these symptoms appear to help prevent more serious complications.
An epinephrine auto-injector is prescribed by a doctor for people who are at high risk of having a severe allergic reaction. The doctor should explain the warning signs and signs of severity that may occur, as well as how to use this medication.
After using an epinephrine auto-injector, it is very important to go to the hospital immediately or contact the doctor who prescribed it.
Epinephrine injection is also used in hospitals and given by a nurse in emergency situations caused by severe hives. It may be used to treat swelling in the mouth, tongue, or throat and difficulty breathing.
5. Corticosteroid injection
Corticosteroid injection is used in hospitals for the emergency treatment of severe hives with symptoms of angioedema. These symptoms may include swelling of the mouth, throat, or tongue, or difficulty breathing, which can be life-threatening.
This treatment for hives should only be done with medical indication. The corticosteroid is given directly into a vein by a nurse, along with other medications, such as epinephrine, to control symptoms of severe hives.
6. Home treatment
Some home treatments, such as taking a colloidal oatmeal bath or applying cool compresses to the affected area of the skin, can help relieve itching. These options may be used to complement medical treatment for mild hives.
However, it is important to note that these or any other natural treatment should not replace the medications recommended by a doctor. They are only a way to help relieve symptoms more quickly.