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Urticaria

Urticaria, usually called hives, is a skin reaction that raises itchy, pale-red welts. A single weal tends to settle within a day, but fresh ones can keep arriving. When episodes continue for six weeks or more, the condition is described as chronic urticaria.

Medicines used to treat Urticaria

Atarax

Hydroxyzine

10 · 25mg

Hydroxyzine film-coated tablets are named Atarax and used for urticaria, pruritus and anxiety. You can choose from several strengths and pack sizes. You see the price per tablet for each option.

FromUS$0.35/ tabletView

Allegra

Fexofenadine

120 · 180mg

Fexofenadine film-coated tablets are sold as Allegra for allergic rhinitis and urticaria. They come in several strengths and pack sizes. You see the price per tablet for each option.

FromUS$1.20/ tabletView

Periactin

Cyproheptadine

4mg

Periactin is cyproheptadine, an antihistamine for allergic rhinitis and urticaria. This tablet comes in one strength and several pack sizes. Each option lists its price per tablet.

FromUS$0.48/ tabletView

Key points

  • One weal normally settles inside 24 hours, though new ones may continue to form for a week or more.
  • Possible triggers range from shellfish, nuts and eggs to insect stings and viral infections; in long-standing cases a cause is often never found.
  • Dengue fever is one infectious cause worth checking when hives appear without explanation.

What sets it off

Triggers can include medicines, latex, pressure on the skin, extreme temperatures, insect stings, viral infections, and foods such as shellfish, nuts and eggs. Heat and humidity commonly make matters worse, and dengue fever is worth ruling out early. In many chronic cases no trigger is ever found.

How hives look

Welts are raised and pale red, and they itch. They can appear on any area of skin, and their shape and position shift as older weals fade and new ones develop. The pattern may last days or weeks at a stretch.

Treatment

Antihistamines are the first-line treatment. For daytime use, a non-sedating antihistamine such as fexofenadine is generally preferred; Allegra tablets come in 120 mg and 180 mg strengths. Older antihistamines cause more drowsiness and are often taken at night or when sedation is acceptable: Atarax (hydroxyzine) tablets at 10 mg and 25 mg, and Periactin (cyproheptadine) 4 mg tablets. Ingredient pages for fexofenadine, hydroxyzine and cyproheptadine give more detail, and further options sit under allergy relief. Prices are in ringgit, and orders reach Malaysia from pharmacy partners in India in discreet packaging.

When to seek urgent help

Get medical help immediately if hives come with a swollen throat or tongue, breathing difficulty, or a fall in blood pressure. Such signs point to anaphylaxis, which needs emergency care.

Further reading

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