Short-acting type H1 antihistamines these medications, including diphenhydramine (Benadryl), are the primary treatment of mild cases of hives and angioedema. These are available without a prescription and are inexpensive. However, they must be taken every 6-12 hours and cause sleepiness, which can interfere with normal activity.
Long-acting H1 antihistamines these may also be used for mild...
Take all prescribed medicines as directed except for those drugs you are instructed to take only as needed. This will reduce the possibility of the hives or swelling coming back.
Contact your health care provider or return to the hospital if you have any of the following, rash or swelling returns or gets worse, difficulty with your medicines, new symptoms, sores or swelling of the mouth,...
Several insects belonging to the class Hymenoptera are capable of injecting venom into humans and animals. These insects include honeybees, bumble bees, hornets, wasps, yellow jackets, and fire ants.
All of these insects are currently found in the United States as well as in most other land areas of the globe. Their venom, which they use to kill or paralyze other insects, is composed of...
Hives is a rash of smooth, raised, pink or reddish bumps of different sizes called wheals that comes on suddenly. The wheals look something like mosquito bites. They may cover all or part of the body and are usually very itchy.
Hives usually appear first on the covered areas of the skin such as the trunk and upper parts of the arms and legs. Wheals appear in batches. Each wheal may last from...
Your health care provider will examine you and ask questions about how the hives or angioedema started. Tell him or her about the following. Any medicines (prescription and nonprescription) you have been taking even if you stopped them in the past few days. Any dietary supplement or herbs you take, even if only sometimes, and the last time you took them.
Any new or unusual foods, soaps,...
Anaphylaxis is a severe allergic reaction that occurs rapidly and causes a life-threatening response involving the whole body. This reaction can lead to difficulty breathing and shock ultimately leading to death.
For an anaphylactic reaction to occur, you must have been exposed in the past to the substance that causes the reaction, called the antigen. This is called sensitization. A bee...
If you are interested in finding out whether allergy shots might work for you, talk to an allergist certified by the American Board of Allergy and Immunology.
Shots may be right for you if you have very severe symptoms that interfere with your normal activities even though you are taking appropriate medication. For more information on medications, see Understanding Allergy and Hay Fever...
Before starting immunotherapy, the allergist will take a complete medical history. Be sure to tell him or her about every medication you take, prescription and nonprescription, even those you take only occasionally. Report any vitamins, dietary supplements, herbal products, and other alternative therapies you take. Also report every allergy you know of.
If you are a woman, it is essential...
Strictly avoid contact with the substance (allergen) that was the trigger. If the trigger is a food, you must learn to read food labels carefully. When ordering foods at restaurants or eating in friends' homes, ask about ingredients. Be aware of ingredients that may contain triggers. Avoid eating foods if you can't confirm their ingredients.
If your reactions are severe, contact the...
The symptoms of anaphylaxis can vary. In some people, the reaction begins very slowly, but in most the symptoms appear rapidly and abruptly. The most severe and life-threatening symptoms are difficulty breathing and loss of consciousness.
Difficulty breathing is due to swelling and/or spasm in the airways (which can include swelling of the tongue or the airways). In very rare cases,...
