Medication for Hives NOT HELPING?

Question

I've had hives for about 5 days now, and last night I went to the ER. The doctors told me to take Prednisone (sp?), Prilosec or Zantac (H-2 Blocker), and Benadryl (H-1 Blocker). I started taking them last night, and my hives have gotten WORSE. They're horribly painful as well, and I have no idea what the cause of them is. Anyone with any suggestions on what to do for both the hives themselves (they're on my face as well as the rest of my body, front and back), and if there's anything I can take for the pain that's not going to react with all the other medications, please tell me! At this point I'm pretty sick of them and none of the doctors will call me back. Thanks. :(

I have been using baking soda, cool baths, etc. There is nothing that I've changed that would seem to bring on these changes. (No new soap, deodortant, etc.) I also haven't eaten anything new that I wasn't sure if I was allergic to or not. I'm going to call my doctor when I get home and ask to be referred to an Allergenist or specialist. Thanks,

Answer 1

I'd go back to the ER. It sounds pretty serious. It could be you are re-exposing yourself to the same allergen, or it could be some other autoimmune problem. Maybe they should increase the prednisone? I'd go back to the ER, now, especially since it is getting worse. If your throat or tongue are swelling or you feel dizzy or nauseated, call 911.

It doesn't have to be something new- you can develop allergies to somthing you have had many times. I ended up with a peanut allergy just out of the blue.

Answer 2

When hives are not associated with an apparent allergy, and the hives are unresponsive to the medications you have listed, the cause is likely to be autoimmune or unknown. With cases like yours, the cause is unknown about 50-60% of the time, and finding the right treatment is trial and error if the first-line treatment fails.

Since you have had a negative response to the first-line medication, and 5 days have passed, the usual course of action is to discontinue the present medication (which involves a gradual withdrawal from the prednisone) and begin drugs targeted at suppressing the immune system and inflammatory response. Do not stop the medication on your own - make another doc appointment, maybe with a rheumatologist.

Your condition may clear up on its own, or it may take a while before you get some relief. There is probably not much you can do to alleviate the symptoms, and you have to be careful not to make things worse by irritating your skin with skin care products, or cold or hot water.

You can search for more information with the terms 'urticaria' and 'idiopathic'

Answer 3

I asked a relatively similar question not too long ago. I have had (what a believe to be) a drug allergy to an antibiotic. I quit taking this pill over a month ago, and I still have hives.

There are so many reasons hives occur, it's almost impossible to find out why. Mine were getting pretty bad, I couldn't even sleep next to my boyfriend because I scratched myself so hard in the night it kept him awake.

I finally went to an allergist, who told me she wasn't fully convinced it was my antibiotic that caused it, but sometimes people do have reactions that last up to 6 weeks. But yes, she did say it could have been the antibiotic that triggered it, and my stress in this situation is keeping them around. STRESS can play a huge roll, especially if you have naturally sensitive skin. Unfortunately for me she couldn't test me until my skin reaction was as she put it "in a more calm state."

So that's what I am trying to achieve, I did cool compressions on my arms (my most itchiest spots) and used Cortizone creams anywhere I felt even the smallest itching sensation. My doctor prescribed a more power antihistamin for me to use when I go to sleep so that I don't scratch in the night. All in all my hives are still itchy, and if I scratch them they appear more. However, they are healing because I am controlling my reaction.

My best advice is to relax and control your hives. ALSO...the #1 reason to go to an ER when it involves allergies is if your head feels swollen or you sense wheezing or trouble breathing.

Answer 4

Get to your Dr. FAST.Years ago I didn't know I was allergic to grapefruit. I broke
out with hives on top of hives. I went to the Dr. and he gave me a very strong
anti-histamine. It took 6 weeks for the hives to go away. I was a mess. I don't know how much this will help but warm water and baking soda is a natural itch
remover. So is Witch Hazel. You definitely need to be seen to. Don't take no for
an answer!! : }

Answer 5

I hate to state the obvious, but you are clearly allergic to something in one of those medications.

Did any of those doctors look at a medical history of you? Do you have any history of allergies? Do you remember the events before your hives breakout? Was it something you ate? New detergent?

Once you figure out what is causing the hives, you may be able to fix the problem on your own. It is possible that you are allergic to something you never knew you were allergic to, and you keep repeating the same activity every day.

Answer 6

if not allergic to honey products, try a mixture of honey and propolis locally as well as orally. it will sooth you and taking it orally ( aprox. 1 spoon 3x a day ) will help treat the allergy from the inside out.
Hope you get well soon.

Answer 7

ok, try some home remedies. draw a hot bath poor some oatmeal in the tub and sit and soak. always works for me.
other one is take a gallon of milk and pour in the tub, fill the tub with hot water and soak.

avaid using lotions that have perfums in them or stingy products. this will irritate your skin worse. gl

Answer 8

hydrocortisone creams cool aveno baths good luck be careful thats a bad sign.No hot soaks as this aggrivates hives.

Answer 9

go to the ER

Answer 10

my sister has hives!