Introduction
Hives rashes usually get better within a few minutes to a few days. You can often treat hives yourself.
Check if it's hives
The main symptom of hives is an itchy rash.
The rash can:
- be raised bumps or patches in many shapes and sizes
- appear anywhere on the body
- be on 1 area or spread across the body
- feel itchy, sting or burn
- look pink or red when affecting someone with white skin; the colour of the rash can be harder to see on brown and black skin
Look at other rashes in babies and children ↗.
A pharmacist can help with hives
A pharmacist can give you advice about antihistamine ↗ treatment to help a hives rash.
Tell the pharmacist if you have a long-term condition, because you might not be able to take antihistamines.
This treatment might not be suitable for young children.
See a GP if:
- the symptoms do not improve after 2 days
- you're worried about your child's hives
- the rash is spreading
- hives keeps coming back (you may be allergic to something)
- you also have a high temperature and feel unwell
- you also have swelling under your skin (this might be angioedema ↗)
Call 999 or go to A&E now if:
- you're wheezing
- you get tightness in your chest or throat
- you have trouble breathing or talking
- your mouth, face, lips, tongue or throat start swelling
You could be having a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis ↗) and may need immediate treatment in hospital.
Treatment for hives from a GP
A GP might prescribe menthol cream, antihistamines or steroid tablets ↗.
If hives does not go away with treatment, you may be referred to a skin specialist (dermatologist).
You cannot always prevent hives
You get hives when something causes high levels of histamine and other chemicals to be released in your skin. This is known as a trigger.
Triggers can include:
- eating certain foods
- contact with certain plants, animals, chemicals and latex
- cold, such as cold water or wind
- hot, sweaty skin from exercise, emotional stress or eating spicy food
- a reaction to a medicine, insect bite or sting
- scratching or pressing on your skin, such as wearing itchy or tight clothing
- an infection
- a problem with your immune system
- water or sunlight, but this is rare
Try to find out what triggers hives for you, so you can avoid those triggers, if possible. This may help prevent an episode of hives.