Welts on face and torso

I have big, red, itchy welts on my face and torso.  After taking Benadril the itch and hardness of the welts subsides but the red, raised welts remain for a day or two.  New ones are coming all the time.  Please help!

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
It looks like urticaria skin or hives. Hives (medically known as urticaria) are red, itchy, raised areas of skin that appear in varying shapes and sizes. They have a tendency to change size rapidly and to move around, disappearing in one place and reappearing in other places, often in a matter of hours.

You can find easily an over the counter over-the counter antihistamines (e.g., loratadine, desloratadine, cetirizine, fexofenadine) which can be used to help with symptoms. You may also use over the counter smoothening, antipruritic agents to get relief. Also use mild soaps and calamine lotion which helps in soothing the skin.

If the symptoms persist then you may need topical steroids.
It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.