Hives should be treated until the symptoms are no longer present.1
If the hives are short-lived (acute) then they are likely to go away without any treatment.1 With chronic hives, however, when people can suffer for weeks, months or years, treatment is required.
In most cases of chronic hives, there is no known trigger and it is impossible to know when the hives or swelling will appear. There are medications, though, that can help to prevent and relieve the itch, redness and swelling.1
Many people with chronic hives have not been properly diagnosed and their symptoms are not being effectively managed.
Antihistamines
Antihistamines are the most commonly used medications for the treatment of hives. They work by neutralising chemicals called histamines, which are released from mast cells after they have been activated by the immune system in response to a perceived threat (a trigger).
Other treatments
Speak to your GP about effective treatment options, and if it hives continue to affect your quality of life, seek a referral to an immunologist or dermatologist who have access to other effective treatment options.
Explore on this site
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Locate a specialist
Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy (ASCIA) Skin Cancer Foundation Australasian College of Dermatologists
Reference
- Australasian Society of Clinical Immunology and Allergy. ASCIA HP Position Paper Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria Guidelines 2020. Available from https://allergy.org.au/images/stories/pospapers/ASCIA_HP_Position_Paper_CSU_2020.pdf Accessed July 2024.