What Causes Itchy Welts On Hands Along With Swelling?

Posted on Mon, 28 Sep 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 28 Sep 2015 Answered on

Wed, 14 Oct 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi Dr., I woke up yesterday morning with welts on my hands and wrists my hands are swollen . I took Benadryl last night which offered some relief but the itching continues and I have more welts or hives to my left outer thigh . I was out of town and flew back into town Saturday night and look up Sunday with this issue . I have not eaten anything out of the ordinary, the welts have no specific pattern just raised and itchy

Answered by Dr. Nishad BN (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Most likely allergic (urticaria).

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Thank you for asking HCM.

I have gone through your query. Your problem can be most likely allergic (urticaria). It can be something in the food you had or something you exposed. It can be due to caterpillar bite also which you have never noticed.

Taking over the counter antihistamines like benadryl and applying calamine lotion will be helpful.
If severe itching and discomfort is there then you can approach ER for corticosteroid injection which will give you relief faster. Or taking a 5 day course of corticosteroid like methyl prednisolone helps also.

Hope this may help you. Let me know if anything not clear.
Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar