Diagnosis
To diagnose hives or angioedema, your doctor will likely look at your welts or areas of swelling and ask about your medical history. You may also need blood tests or an allergy skin test.
To diagnose hives or angioedema, your doctor will likely look at your welts or areas of swelling and ask about your medical history. You may also need blood tests or an allergy skin test.
If your symptoms are mild, you may not need treatment. Hives and angioedema often clear up on their own. But treatment can offer relief from intense itching, serious discomfort or symptoms that persist.
Medications
Treatments for hives and angioedema may include prescription drugs:
Anti-itch drugs. The standard treatment for hives and angioedema is antihistamines that don't make you drowsy. These medications reduce itching, swelling and other allergy symptoms. They're available in nonprescription and prescription formulations.
Drugs that suppress the immune system. If antihistamines are not effective, your doctor might prescribe a drug that can calm an overactive immune system.
Drugs for hereditary angioedema. If you have the type of angioedema that runs in families, you may take medication to relieve symptoms and keep the levels of certain proteins in your blood at levels that do not cause symptoms.
Anti-inflammatory drugs. For severe hives or angioedema, doctors may prescribe a short course of an oral corticosteroid drug — such as prednisone — to reduce swelling, inflammation and itching.
