Will hives spread if I scratch them?

Don’t Scratch Yes, the itch can drive you crazy, but scratching hives may cause them to spread and become even more inflamed, says Neeta Ogden, MD, an allergist in private practice in Englewood, New Jersey, and a spokesperson for the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.

Is it normal for an allergic rash to spread?

The rash may continue to develop over several days and form small fluid-filled blisters. People may spread the rash by touching non-affected areas after affected ones.

How do you stop hives from spreading?

Wear loose-fitting, cotton clothes. Apply a cold compress, such as ice cubes wrapped in a washcloth, to the itchy skin several times a day—unless cold triggers your hives. Use anti-itch medication that you can buy without a prescription, such as an antihistamine or calamine lotion.

Which antihistamine is best for hives?

Generally, the most effective, first-line treatment for hives is an over-the-counter, non-drowsy antihistamine like Allegra (fexofenadine) or Claritin (loratadine).

How long do allergy rashes last?

The rash usually develops within minutes to hours of exposure and can last two to four weeks.

What can be mistaken for hives?

Skin Conditions That Share Symptoms With Chronic Hives

• GettyImages. Symptoms of chronic hives.
• Heat rash. Heat rash, also called miliaria or prickly heat, is characterized by raised, red bumps, which can be inflamed and itchy.
• Contact dermatitis.
• Rosacea.
• Eczema.
• Pityriasis rosea.
• Urticarial vasculitis.
• Angioedema.

Would Zyrtec help with hives?

Uses. Zyrtec is approved for the treatment of: Urticaria (hives) Allergic rhinitis (hayfever): Antihistamines can decrease the symptoms of watery, itchy eyes, sneezing, itchy nose, and itchy eyes.

Is Benadryl or Claritin better for hives?

Claritin (loratadine) is a once-daily medicine for allergies that won’t make you as sleepy as other medicines that work like it. Benadryl (Diphenhydramine) is often better than other antihistamines at treating allergy symptoms and hives.

Does scratching a rash make it worse?

When you’ve got an itch, you probably want to scratch it. But whether it’s from a mosquito bite, chickenpox, or chronic skin issue like eczema, any relief from scratching will be short-lived. And too much scratching can make the problem much worse.

Does Benadryl help with hives?

Treatments Doctors Use for Hives Doctors usually prescribe antihistamines as a first course of treatment for hives. Acute cases can generally be treated with over-the-counter antihistamines like Benadryl, Claritin (loratadine), Allegra (fexofenadine), and Zyrtec (cetirizine).

Will Zyrtec help with hives?

Why do I get hives every time I scratch?

When our sympathetic nervous system is “revved up,” says Stevenson, it causes histamine release, which causes hives. Histamine is a compound released by cells in response to injury, and in allergic and inflammatory reactions. What happens if I scratch my hives? Don’t do that.

What are hives and how do they form?

Hives typically crop up when you have an allergic reaction to a substance—like pet dander, pollen, or latex—triggering your body to release histamine and other chemicals into your blood. That’s what causes the itching, swelling, and other symptoms. RELATED: Heat Rash Treatments You Should Know About, According to Dermatologists

Can hives be a sign of an allergic reaction?

Chronic hives don’t put you at any sudden risk of a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis). But if you do experience hives as part of a serious allergic reaction, seek emergency care. Signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis include dizziness, trouble breathing, and swelling of your lips, eyelids and tongue. Hives.

What are histamines and why do they cause hives?

Histamines are a chemical made by allergy cells (mast cell) and other immune cells (eosinophils, basophils, etc) that goes into overdrive to get rid of the allergen. But your body may respond to the flood of histamines by having an allergic reaction that causes hives and swelling.