Hives that don't subside

[gigypsy]

Approximately 5 years ago, during a time of exreme stress I broke out in hives on my legs ( that is what the doc dianosed it as, I thought they were bug bites). When I finally got a physician to pay attention to it he sent me to a dermatolgist.  He said that I had gotten to far into the scatch-itch cycle, prescribed meds that over came the problem 2-3 mos. Now these hives have returned Do I need tranquilizers?  Help

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Hives (medically known as urticaria) are red, itchy, raised areas of skin that appear in varying shapes and sizes. Many cases of hives are "idiopathic," meaning no cause is known. Others may be triggered by viral infections or medications.

The mainstay of treatment of hives is antihistamine which may be necessary for prolonged periods (in excess of 6 weeks).non-sedating antihistamines such as Cetirizine, Loratadine may be needed to get symptom relief. Sedating antihistamines such as Chlorphenamine or Hydroxyzine are used at night to get urticaria control. Short courses of oral cortisone or steroids are taken for short periods (one to three days) to settle more severe symptoms.
You may take Vitamin C along with the prescribed treatment and apply calamine lotion on the rashes.

If the symptoms persist then pls consult a dermatologist.

I hope it helps.Take care and pls do keep me posted on how you are doing or if you have any additional doubts.Kind regards.

[jagesh50]

Hydroxyzine ie atarax is a antihistamine and mild sedative too and may be preffered in your case as a night dose, with calamine application externally.