Can anyone talk to me about urticaria (hives)

[BuzzLiteBeer]

I've got drug induced urticaria, stopped the med, seen doctor, got loratidine today.

Can anyone tell me about swelling of the hands and feet? Is this to be expected? Its quite a bad rash, its everywhere, even my scalp is itching like crazy and its impossible not to scratch.
I can't even put any underwear on because any pressure like from elastic waistband or bra straps creates more hives and intense itching.

So I've got lorat and eurax, is there anything else I can do? Should I worry about the swelling?

Thanks for any thoughts.

Swelling is everything rushing to the itch/hive to help - I get it too :)

Have you got any other antihistamines other than loratidine? You can take a few different ones as long as they don't have the same active ingredient.

Try really hard not to scratch, as it makes it itch more (I know its impossible, but can you get someone to sit on your hands or something, or slap you each time you try?)

Cold water can help stop the itching, as can talc, lotion, basically anything that makes it feel different.

I have urticaria and excema so know what its like!!