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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Has Hives. Diagnosed With Urticaria. Prescribed Prednisone 50 And Benedryl. Alternate Medication?

Hi, My husband is suffering from severe hives & his family doctor said that he has Urticaria & recommended Prednisone 50mg & also Benedryl but he seems to be not responding to this medication... Appreciate very much if you could let me know what are the other options available for him in order for a speedy recovery. Thank you so much!
Anne
Thu, 25 Apr 2013
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General & Family Physician 's  Response
Hello,
thanks for using health care magic.

Hives or urticaria is an allergic condition in which the individual is sensitive to certain substances such as certain food types and substances ( animal dander (especially cats), insect bites,
pollen, sea food, eggs etc) or medicine. Certain situations as well can trigger hives including
emotional stress, extreme cold or sun exposure, excessive perspiration etc.

The main thing occuring in hives is the release of a substance called histamine. Thus antihistamines such diphenylhydramine (benedryl) are the most effective in controlling hives but should be taken in the right posology. But behavioral changes is more important for prevention and include
-Avoid hot baths or showers
-Avoid contact or ingesting substances known to cause the allergy
-Avoid irritating the area with tight-fitting clothing etc.

Alternate medications which are also antihistaminic drugs include; cetirizine hydrochloride (allercet), desloratdine ( aerius), loratadine ( tirlor) and mequitazine (primalan)

Hope this helps you.
Dr Achuo
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Dermatologist Dr. Johny Chacko's  Response
Hello, Welcome to health care magic
Your husband is having acute urticaria. It is characterized by itchy red or skin colored raised wheals which is transient, that means appears in one place and soon disappears from there to appear somewhere else. If it is associated with swelling of lips, eyelids it is called angioedema. Steroids are indicated in urticaria with angioedema.
The most common cause of acute urticaria is food. Seafood, meat, poultry, egg, milk, apples, brinjal, strawberry, coloring agents etc are commonly implicated. It is subjective and any food can cause it. Other common causes are medicines, infections, insect bites etc.
Urticaria usually lasts for 3 to 5 days or longer if the implicated trigger factor is continuing. It is better to start a long acting anti histamine like fexofenadine 180 mg or cetrizine 10 mg once a day. If it is still not coming under control dose can be increased to twice a day.
Importance should be given in identifying the cause so that we can eliminate the trigger.
Hope this helped.
Take care
I find this answer helpful

Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation
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Has Hives. Diagnosed With Urticaria. Prescribed Prednisone 50 And Benedryl. Alternate Medication?

Hello, thanks for using health care magic. Hives or urticaria is an allergic condition in which the individual is sensitive to certain substances such as certain food types and substances ( animal dander (especially cats), insect bites, pollen, sea food, eggs etc) or medicine. Certain situations as well can trigger hives including emotional stress, extreme cold or sun exposure, excessive perspiration etc. The main thing occuring in hives is the release of a substance called histamine. Thus antihistamines such diphenylhydramine (benedryl) are the most effective in controlling hives but should be taken in the right posology. But behavioral changes is more important for prevention and include -Avoid hot baths or showers -Avoid contact or ingesting substances known to cause the allergy -Avoid irritating the area with tight-fitting clothing etc. Alternate medications which are also antihistaminic drugs include; cetirizine hydrochloride (allercet), desloratdine ( aerius), loratadine ( tirlor) and mequitazine (primalan) Hope this helps you. Dr Achuo