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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Suggest Treatment For Severe Skin Hives

I have hives on my arms that flare up every often. I am taking antihistimines and using calamine lotion, but it does not seem to be going away. I washed a sweater I wear at work with my son s laundry he was using the new Gain pods. I assumed that is what caused it
posted on Tue, 17 Nov 2015
Twitter Fri, 4 Dec 2015 Answered on
Twitter Fri, 4 Dec 2015 Last reviewed on
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General & Family Physician 's  Response
Hello,
Welcome to HCM.

If you are already taking anti-histamines and calamine lotion for hives without much improvement.

Then,i would advise you to take more potent symptomatic treatment like antihistamines (fexofenadine 120) in combination with mast cell stabilizers like montelukast (to prevent allergy) which is available over the counter from some nearby pharmacy (brand name: Montek-Fx) to get the maximum relief.

Oral steroids can also be taken if hives do not subside with above medications but you will need prescription from some local physician or dermatologist for that.

Hives might be due to some sort of allergy like you said about sweater,so better to avoid it using further.

I would expect that you will start getting better from this hives within 2 to 3 days.

In case,the symptoms persists even after above symptomatic treatment,then I would advise to check your routine blood counts (especially differential counts) with ESR and consult dermatologist who will examine the affected area and can come to a certain conclusion.

Hope this information will be helpful.

Regards,
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Suggest Treatment For Severe Skin Hives

Hello, Welcome to HCM. If you are already taking anti-histamines and calamine lotion for hives without much improvement. Then,i would advise you to take more potent symptomatic treatment like antihistamines (fexofenadine 120) in combination with mast cell stabilizers like montelukast (to prevent allergy) which is available over the counter from some nearby pharmacy (brand name: Montek-Fx) to get the maximum relief. Oral steroids can also be taken if hives do not subside with above medications but you will need prescription from some local physician or dermatologist for that. Hives might be due to some sort of allergy like you said about sweater,so better to avoid it using further. I would expect that you will start getting better from this hives within 2 to 3 days. In case,the symptoms persists even after above symptomatic treatment,then I would advise to check your routine blood counts (especially differential counts) with ESR and consult dermatologist who will examine the affected area and can come to a certain conclusion. Hope this information will be helpful. Regards,