Self-Care Guidelines
If you are experiencing mild hives, you might:
- Take cool showers
- Apply cool compresses
- Wear loose-fitting clothes
- Avoid strenuous activity
- Use an over-the-counter antihistamine such as diphenhydramine or loratadine
In addition, try to discover and avoid whatever might be triggering your hives.
When to Seek Medical Care
Call 911 if your hives cause you to have difficulty breathing or swallowing or if you feel lightheaded.
In other non-urgent situations, see your doctor if the hives do not improve with treatment or if they continue to appear for more than a few days.
Before visiting your doctor, try to notice what might be triggering your hives and whether it improves or worsens with exposure to heat, cold, pressure, or vibration. Take a list of every medication (prescription or over-the-counter), supplement, or herbal remedy you may have taken recently. Also, recall any recent illnesses you might have had, since some illnesses (or their treatments) can trigger hives.
Signs and Symptoms
