How long do hives last and how do you know if they're getting better?

[Topazbutterfly]

I've never had hives before, they came up last night and I took an antihistamine, which is supposed to last a day. It's stopped the hives from itching and the blotches went down but new blotches have started coming up, although they're not currently itching.The antihistamine should still be in my system, I can't take another one until 11pm. Does anyone know how long they last? And are they're any signs they're getting better or worse? Thank you xx

How odd....DS literally just messaged me in a panic to say he'd come out in hives! No idea why, but he's been out running in the hot sun in Spain, wearing a new sports shirt he hadn't washed before wearing, so maybe he's had a reaction.

Anyway.....I did some research and it should start to subside after 24 hours. Just keep taking the anti-histamine, keep skin cool, use calamine to control itching, and you should feel the inflammation reducing and the bumps going away. If not, call NHS111. And obviously if you start getting worse reactions (e.g. swelling face/throat).

Now you just need to work out how you got them! I found out I was allergic to a certain brand of emulsion paint when I came out in hives.

Do you think you could tolerate a tepid shower? Has helped me in the past. Length of time they stay depends on the cause. I've had some disappear completely within an hour of taking Benadryl, some last 48 hours or more.

Which antihistamine did you take?

Thank you both for your replies 🙂
@CointreauVersial Yeah, working out what I'm allergic to is going to be difficult as I've not had an allergy before and I've not used any new products. I have had a baby recently, so I don't know if that's got anything to do with it.
@ChrisPPancake I'm not sure what the last antihistamine was, I went to the hospital yesterday cause it came up in the night and they gave me an antihistamine there but didn't specify what type. I've bought Lortadine, which I'm going to take tonight. I don't know if that's a good one or not, as I've not had an allergy before, I just picked one.

Oh I didn't realise you'd already been seen by a medic. Was going to suggest asking pharmacist for advice.
You can use antihistamine creams (Anthisan or similar) in addition to the tablet, especially if the itching returns.
Hope you feel better soon

@ChrisPPancake Thank you, I'll have a word with the pharmacist about antihistamine cream tomorrow. Many thanks 🙂

I still have mine 15 years later, on and off.

No idea what I'm allergic to and strongly suspect it isn't an allergy, just a weird thing my body does.

I used to get hives from changes in temperature (eg getting out of bed, getting hot or cold on a walk, walking in and out of shops in the winter). It came up randomly when I was pregnant.

Bodies are odd sometimes.

@AnnaMagnani @YourUserNameMustBeAtLeast3Characters Thank you both for your replies. I think it may have something to do with temperature changes.
When you've had a bout of it, how long does it normally last for at a time? And does it go on its own or do you use antihistamines? Many thanks

Mine was a lot less yesterday and I woke up with nothing today but I've just had another patch on my thigh appear. I can't work out if it is actually going or not.

I already take an antihistamine everyday because of asthma so it's hard to say.

But I started having hives pop up last week, took extra antihistamines and they have gone for now.

At their worst I had them permanently for months despite 4x usual dose of fexofenadine which is generally one of the most potent antihistamines. But then one day they just disappeared for years.

Cetirizine is usually better for hives than loratidine, and you can take more than one a day. For chronic urticaria (hives) 4 x cetirizine a day is a typical dose.

I got a random bout of hives on my arm a few months post baby, super itchy and lasted over a week! Not too long after was diagnosed with post partum thyroiditis and eventually Graves' disease- in hindsight I think the hives were to do with that! Any weight loss/jitters/increased heart rate/lots of bowel movements? Could of course be nothing to do with that but when you said you recently had a baby it reminded me!

I've had chronic spontaneous urticaria since early 2020. Been under dermatology since May that year. Itching and scratching day and night. Despite what the packet says on over the counter anti histamines, you can up the dose. At its worst I was taking seven assorted anti histamines a day. Six were meant to be non sedating, however they made me feel exhausted. I eventually bullied the NHS into giving me injections of an expensive drug which has given some relief. Friends who have had csu say it can last for seven years, hope mine vanishes before then!

@deathnotquitewarmedup Thank you for your response. I've not had any of those symptoms but I have been sweating in my sleep, which I just put down to hormone changes but might be linked. I think I'll book a doctor's appointment, just incase it is any of the conditions you've mentioned or something else postpartum related.

@Yarnysaura Thank you for your response, I'll get some Cetirizine to try.

I thought I had hives and took advice on FB group. But as it did not improve I went to GP ( I live in St Lucia) and she said it was a bacterial infection and gave me meds and told me to shower with anti bacterial soap. Just make sure it is hives.

@deathnotquitewarmedup Thank you for your response. I'm really sorry you've had urticaria since 2020, that must be really awful to deal with. I keep thinking mine is getting better, as the rashes go down but then new ones just appear later in different places.

@Lapun Thank you for your response, I agree it's a good idea to get it checked by the doctor. I went to the hospital and they said it was hives caused by an allergy but I've not used anything different, so I'm now thinking there might be an underline medical reason instead and best to get it checked like you say.

Yes definitely worth checking- night sweats was also a big symptom for me. Postpartum thyroiditis usually starts as an over active thyroid which often goes undiagnosed as the symptoms like weight loss and anxiety can be easily be mixed up with normal post partum symptoms, and it then tends to switch to an underactive thyroid after a shortish period which again is often confused for post partum depression so it's good to get checked if you aren't sure! Mine was found completely by chance when I was having blood tests for other things. I hadn't really noticed the symptoms at all initially, but in hindsight there were loads of indicators!

The good news is in most cases it's temporary :)