How many doses of Benadryl before hives go away
Does Benadryl Help With Hives?
Jul 05, 2018
shley asked
Does Benadryl help with hives? I have red and itchy bumps on my arm and I think they are due to allergies.
Answer
Benadryl (Diphenhydramine) is a first generation antihistamine used in the treatment of allergies, urticaria (hives), insomnia and motion sickness. Benadryl (Diphenhydramine) can be used to help manage hives. Hives are swollen, red patches of skin that can occur as a reaction to allergens or for unknown reasons.
Benadryl For Hives
Most times, hives can be itchy. Benadryl (Diphenhydramine) can help reduce the swelling of hives and alleviate the itching. While Benadryl (Diphenhydramine) will help with the symptoms of hives, the best treatment is to determine the cause of the hives and remove that allergen.
Some common causes according toAmerican College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunologyare:
- Foods like peanuts, nuts, eggs and shellfish
- Drugs like antibiotics (penicillins and sulfa drugs), aspirin and NSAIDs (Ibuprofen and Naproxen)
- Insect bites and stings
- Pets
- Outside allergens such as pollen, trees and grasses
- Bacterial and viral infections
- Latex exposure
If hives continue to occur and a cause cannot be determined, an allergist should be consulted. In the meantime, Benadryl (Diphenhydramine) is a good choice of treatment to get some relief from the hives. More information on Benadryl (Diphenhydramine) can be found below.
Benadryl (Diphenhydramine) Information
Benadryl (Diphenhydramine) is a first generation antihistamine. First generation antihistamine are sedating antihistamines that can cause a significant amount of drowsiness. As such, caution should be taken when driving or operating machinery until the full effects of the medication are known. Some additional side effects of Diphenhydramine include:
- Drowsiness or sedation
- Dizziness
- Nausea or vomiting
- Coordination problems
- Thickening of mucus in the nose or throat
SinceBenadryl (Diphenhydramine) can cause drowsiness or sedation, care should be used when used in elderly patients due to an increased risk of falls. Care should also be taken when patients are on other medications that can cause drowsiness. If there are any questions about taking medications together, patients should talk to their pharmacist or other health care providers.
Conclusion
When patients get hives, the first thing on most patients mind is getting relief from the symptoms. Benadryl (Diphenhydramine) is a good choice to help with the swelling and itchiness that can occur with hives. For hives that continue with unknown causes, a trip to the allergist is needed to determine the cause of the hives and further treatment.
15 Ways to Get Rid of Hives
You may be able to relieve hives with home remedies, including aloe vera or an oatmeal bath, and over-the-counter products. But a doctor may need to treat severe or chronic hives.
Hives (urticaria) are a rash on your body. Identifying what triggered your hives is crucial to preventing them from happening again. If you can identify the trigger, you can avoid contact with it.
Although hives are often associated with allergic reactions, they can also occur due to:
Hives generally fade within 24 hours and dont require treatment.
However, you should seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of the following:
- dizziness
- swelling in your throat or face
- difficulty breathing
These may indicate a severe allergic reaction and require emergency care.
If your hives are milder, continue reading to learn how to ease any discomfort and speed up the healing process.
Some remedies and other products may cause a skin reaction. Its best to do a skin patch test before applying.
In most cases, home remedies can help you find relief. Here are a few ways to soothe itchy skin:
Use a cold compress
Applying something cool to your skin can help relieve irritation and swelling. To do this, grab a bag of frozen veggies or wrap a handful of ice in a towel and apply it to the affected area for up to 10 minutes. Repeat as needed throughout the day.
Take a bath with an anti-itch solution
There are several products you can add to a bath to relieve itching. These include colloidal oatmeal or one or two handfuls of baking soda.
Learn more: How to make an oatmeal bath
Avoid products that may irritate the skin
Certain soaps may dry your skin and cause more itching when you have hives. Make sure to use a mild soap thats marketed for sensitive skin. These typically omit fragrance and irritating chemicals.
You should also avoid using irritating moisturizers or lotions. When in doubt, opt for a formula that targets sensitive skin, such as these options. Applying immediately after bathing may also help soothe the itch.
Keep things cool
Heat can make itchiness worse. Wear lightweight clothing and keep the temperature in your house cool and comfortable. Avoid sitting in direct sunlight.
If home remedies arent relieving your symptoms but you arent ready to head to the pharmacy you may want to give a few natural solutions a try.
Natural remedies arent regulated or approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), so use them with caution.
Witch hazel
The natural tannins found in the herb witch hazel can help relieve irritation. Despite this, it
You can apply witch hazel to your skin like a mask a few times each day. Let it sit on the affected areas for about 20 minutes, and then rinse it off.
Aloe vera
Aloe vera is a natural anti-inflammatory. According to the
But, as with any new product, its important to do a skin patch test before application, especially if you have sensitive skin. Some aloe products may also have added fragrance or other chemicals, so be sure to read the label.
You can apply topical aloe vera to your hives as needed, likely a few times a day. Be sure to follow any instructions on the package.
If the above remedies arent enough to help your hives, over-the-counter (OTC) treatments may help relieve your symptoms. Not only can OTC options relieve itching and irritation, but they can also target your bodys histamine response, which is what causes hives.
Calamine lotion
Products containing calamine can help relieve itching by cooling your skin. You can apply calamine lotion directly to your skin:
- Make sure you mix the lotion before using it by shaking the container.
- Put some calamine lotion on a cotton pad or cloth.
- Apply the pad or cloth directly to the hives and let dry.
You can treat the hives with calamine lotion as necessary.
Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
This oral antihistamine can reduce rash and other allergy 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 should start to relieve your symptoms the same day.
Benadryl may cause drowsiness.
Fexofenadine (Allegra), loratadine (Claritin), and cetirizine (Zyrtec)
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 a doctor or pharmacist. They can advise you on how much to take and how often.
If youre experiencing severe or chronic hives, you may need prescription medication. Talk with a doctor about your symptoms and how you can best find relief.
Common prescription options include:
Prednisone (Deltasone)
This corticosteroid is taken orally. You should only use it for a short period of time as directed by a doctor. Corticosteroids can have side effects, especially if taken for extended periods of time. Side effects can include:
- elevated blood pressure
- elevated eye pressure (glaucoma)
- swelling
- weight gain
- immunosuppression, which means you may get infections more easily
To reduce side effects, take oral corticosteroids at a lower dose and transition to corticosteroid creams with your doctors supervision.
Omalizumab (Xolair)
This medication must be injected under the skin. This option is
- headache
- dizziness
- inner ear pain
- cold symptoms
Dapsone (Aczone)
This antibiotic is available topically and as an oral medication. This medication can treat inflammation due to hives or other skin conditions that are caused by bacterial infection. Its important to take all antibiotics as prescribed.
Antibiotics only help relieve symptoms caused by a bacterial infection.
Leukotriene-receptor antagonists
This nonsteroidal treatment option is taken orally. These drugs should be used only after steroid treatment and antihistamines have been unsuccessful. There is
- headache
- nausea
- cough
- low fever
If your symptoms worsen or last longer than a couple of days, you may want to talk with a doctor. They can identify the cause and provide medication to help relieve your symptoms. Understanding your triggers may help prevent future outbreaks.
How long can hives last?
Hives can appear and disappear quickly, with each hive only lasting around 23 hours. However, depending on the cause, they may reappear and continue affecting someone for days, weeks, or longer.
People can have acute hives, which occurs due to a specific trigger and resolves within
This article looks at how long hives last, factors that influence their duration, and treatment.
Each hive lasts only
Acute hives appear quickly and do not last long. Doctors classify hives as acute if the overall duration is less than 6 weeks.
However, around 25% of people go on to develop chronic hives. This is when hives regularly reappear over 6 weeks or more.
For many individuals, chronic hives eventually clear on their own, but this can take months. According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association (AAD), around half of people with chronic hives spontaneously recover within 1 year.
Acute hives often occur in response to an allergen or irritant. When the immune system perceives a substance as a threat, it releases histamine and other chemicals. This causes tiny blood vessels under someones skin to leak fluid, which accumulates and causes the bump.
Some
- food allergens, such as milk, eggs, tree nuts, peanuts, or shellfish
- contact allergens, such as latex or animal dander
- insect bites or stings
- medications
Any drug can cause hives, but some of the medications most commonly associated with this symptom include:
Acute hives can also occur in response to viral infections, parasitic infections, or during times of stress.
According to a 2018 review, doctors are unsure of the cause of acute hives in
Chronic hives may have the same cause as acute hives, but with symptoms lasting longer than 6 weeks. However, chronic hives are often not due to an allergen and instead have a physical cause.
There are two subcategories of chronic hives: inducible urticaria and chronic idiopathic urticaria.
Chronic idiopathic hives
Chronic idiopathic urticaria has no clear cause and is the most common form of chronic hives. Researchers are working to understand why this type of hives occurs, but a leading theory links it with autoimmunity.
Autoimmunity occurs when a persons immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue, and several autoimmune conditions are associated with chronic hives. The most common is thyroid disease, which is present in
This suggests that the hives may result from someones immune system not functioning as it should. Other conditions that can occur alongside chronic hives include type 1 diabetes, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis.
Infections can also be associated with the onset of chronic hives. This includes bacterial, viral, and parasitic infections. Again, this may result from autoimmunity an infection may trigger a change in how the persons immune system works.
Inducible hives
Inducible or physical urticaria is less common than chronic idiopathic urticaria. With this subtype, it is possible to purposely induce the hives by a person exposing their skin to certain triggers, which could include:
- Scratching or pressure: The
most common type of inducible hives is known as dermatographia. This condition involves developing hives as a response to scratching or drawing on the skin. - Cold: Cold hives occur on someones skin or mouth after exposure to cold temperatures. Triggers include consuming iced drinks, touching cold water, or going outside in cold weather.
- Heat: Cholinergic hives occurs when an individuals body becomes hot or sweaty. Hot baths, exercise, and spicy food can be triggers.
- UV light: Solar hives occur in response to UV light from the sun and certain light bulbs, such as those in tanning beds.
- Water: Some people develop hives if their skin comes into contact with water. This is known as aquagenic urticaria and is very rare.
Doctors diagnose hives by performing a physical examination. There is no test to determine whether the persons hives are acute or chronic, so they will use the length of time they recur to do this.
The doctor may also ask an individual:
- when the rash began
- the shape, size, and distribution of the rash
- where on the body they first noticed the rash
- if they have had any insect bites
- if they live or work with common hive triggers, such as chemicals, animals, or latex gloves
- if they have bone or joint pain, fever, or abdominal pain
- if anyone in their family experiences hives
- if they take any medications or supplements
The doctor may use a skin prick test and serum-specific IgE test to check if the acute hives result from a specific substance, such as food, dust mites, or chemicals. Alternatively, they may refer someone to an allergy clinic for these tests.
However, in cases of chronic hives, allergy testing is rarely useful. A doctor may check for other underlying health conditions by performing additional tests, such as:
The most suitable treatment depends on whether the person has acute hives or chronic hives.
Acute hives
Doctors typically recommend second-generation antihistamines as the first-line treatment for acute hives, such as:
- loratadine (Claritin)
- desloratadine (Clarinex)
- fexofenadine (Allegra)
- cetirizine (Zyrtec)
- levocetirizine (Xyzal)
They may prescribe a standard dose or increase by up to 4 times if the individual does not respond.
If these medications do not improve symptoms, the doctor may recommend an additional antihistamine, such as cimetidine (Tagamet), famotidine (Pepcid), or ranitidine (Zantac). They may recommend a 310-day course of corticosteroids to help control the symptoms in severe cases.
The doctor may prescribe an epinephrine auto-injector if they think the individual is at risk of anaphylaxis, which is a severe allergic reaction that restricts breathing. This provides emergency medicine to treat anaphylaxis quickly.
The doctor will then reassess the individual in 26 weeks.
Chronic hives
Doctors may recommend a four-step treatment plan for chronic hives. This approach involves using an antihistamine daily, which may be up to 4 times the regular dosage depending on how the individual responds.If necessary, they may prescribe a second antihistamine or another medication, such as montelukast (Singulair). With persistent hives, they may suggest a high potency antihistamine, such as hydroxyzine or doxepin.
The final step is for a doctor to refer the individual to a specialist for immunomodulatory therapy. This may involve taking medications such as omalizumab (Xolair) or cyclosporine (Sandimmune).
Once symptoms are under control, a doctor may gradually reduce the dosage of these medications. If the hives have an identifiable cause, such as cold or heat exposure, adopting changes to avoid the triggers wherever possible is also important.
The AAD suggests the following methods for people to reduce irritation and itchiness in hives:
- applying topical anti-itch medications, such as calamine lotion
- wearing loose-fitting clothing
- moisturizing with fragrance-free lotion to prevent dry skin
- using cold compresses several times per day
However, it is important for individuals to try to determine whether the hives have a specific trigger, in addition to relieving symptoms. If someone has cold hives, for example, a cold compress may make them worse.
Therefore, it is a good idea for people to keep a symptom diary, recording when the hives occur and any factors that might have contributed. Symptom diaries are also useful to refer to at medical appointments. A person can take note of:
- the date and time the hives appear
- what they were doing just before they developed
- what they have had to eat or drink
If any common factors emerge when the hives occur, a person can try to temporarily avoid these to see if it helps. It is important for people to do this with the guidance of a doctor, allergist, or dietitian if someone has food-related hives.
Learn more about remedies and treatments for hives here.
Hives do not last long, taking only 23 hours to fade. However, more can appear, which makes the symptoms last longer. Acute hives can develop and resolve on their own within 6 weeks, while chronic hives can last much longer.
Doctors treat acute and chronic hives differently, so it is advisable for people to speak with a medical professional about this symptom, especially if the hives last longer than 6 weeks.
If hives or swelling occur in the mouth and airways, making it difficult to breathe, dial 911 or the number of the nearest emergency department immediately.
