Urticaria (hives) develops quickly and has ring-like, slightly raised lesions accompanied by itch. This image displays a giant, round, hive-like lesion. This image displays distinct, round, slightly elevated lesions, which can grow quickly and resolve within 24-48 hours. This image displays severe hives (urticaria) from taking aspirin. Urticaria (hives) often forms rings, and ring-like shapes. Urticaria (hives) often form rings and ring-like shapes that quickly appear and disappear. This image displays urticaria (hives) with significant swelling in the skin tissue and some normal areas of skin, which look dimpled or depressed within the lesion. This image displays round, pink areas with clear zones common to urticaria (hives). This image displays urticaria (hives). This image displays a severe case of urticaria (hives). This image displays welts and large hair follicle openings caused by swelling from urticaria (hives).
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Hives (Urticaria)  Information for adults

Picture of Hives (Urticaria): Urticaria (hives) develops quickly and has ring-like, slightly raised lesions accompanied by itch. Divider line
Urticaria (hives) develops quickly and has ring-like, slightly raised lesions accompanied by itch.
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Treatments Your Provider May Prescribe
After confirming that you have hives, the physician will work with you to discover the possible cause. Your doctor will take a detailed medical history and may do blood work, urine tests, or X-rays.

Obviously, the best treatment for hives is to discover any triggers and stop your exposure to them. However, most people with hives do not know the cause, and they require medications to get rid of them.

The most common medications for hives include:
  • Sleep-causing (sedating) type-1 antihistamines such as diphenhydramine, hydroxyzine, or cetirizine
  • Non-sleep-causing (non-sedating) type-1 antihistamines such as loratadine, fexofenadine, or desloratadine
  • Type-2 antihistamines such as anitidine, cimetidine, or famotidine
  • Doxepin
  • Montelukast, zafirlukast, or zileuton
In rare situations, your doctor might prescribe oral corticosteroid pills.


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Last Modified: 22 Dec 2008
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