Hives (Urticaria):
Information for adults

If you are experiencing mild hives, you might:

• Take cool showers.
• Apply cool compresses.
• Wear loose-fitting clothes.
• Avoid strenuous activity.
• Use an over-the-counter antihistamine such as diphenhydramine or loratadine.

In addition, try to discover what is triggering your hives and avoid whatever it might be.
Call 911 if you are feeling lightheaded or are having difficulty breathing or swallowing associated with your hives. 

In non-urgent situations with hives, see your doctor if the hives do not improve with treatment or if they continue to appear for more than a few days.

Before visiting your doctor, try to notice what might be triggering your hives and whether it improves or worsens with exposure to heat, cold, pressure, or vibration. Take a list of every medication (prescription or over-the-counter), supplement, or herbal remedy you may have taken recently. Also, recall any recent illnesses you may have had since some illnesses (or their treatments) can trigger hives.