Question 1

how long will hives last if i'm having an allergic reaction to medication?

Accepted Answer

Depends on half life: Different medications have different half lives.  A half life is the time is takes for 1/2 of the drug to be metabolized and passed out of the body.  It usually takes 3 half lives for a drug to be considered out of the body.  If you know the half life of the drug, then you can make an educated guess about how long the hives will last.  It also depends on your body's own metabolic rate (fast/slow).

Question 2

is it normal for a penicillin allergic reaction  to last for over a week? after taking it? specifically hives and itching?

Accepted Answer

Possibly: Treatment with systemic steroids should help.

Question 3

i have had a allergic reaction (hives). im breakin out on my hands and vagina.(spread there last time) can it be an allergic reaction?

Accepted Answer

May be: However, you can get hives without having an allergic reaction to something. If you get any trouble breathing or swelling in your tongue, you need to call 911. Otherwise, Loratadine or Diphenhydramine can really help.  Sometimes adding ranitidine can help as well. You can see a doctor about it to make sure you don't have allergies. (hives without allergies is called idiopathic urticaria).

Question 4

thanks for the answers. one last question: can an allergic reaction cause urticaria for 5 or 6 weeks or possibly more? if no what could be the other reasons that make urticaria last so long?

Accepted Answer

: Urticaria can persist if you are still exposed to the allergen. Furthermore, there are some systemic diseases which have skin manifestation as urticaria. You should be see a dermatologist. Good luck.

Question 5

what can cause hives besides an allergic reaction?

Accepted Answer

Releasing histamine: Hives are due to a release of histamine in the skin, commonly due to allergy to foods, medicines, viruses, molds, animals, pollens, etc... Some people release histamine and get hives when exposed to cold temperatures, cold water, sunshine, stressful situations, etc... Other people with hives may have internal medical conditions such as chemical imbalances, intestinal parasites, etc...

Question 6

i just moved into a new house and i'm having an allergic reaction.  i have hives all over my body.  what should i do?

Accepted Answer

Take Benadryl (diphenhydramine): Hives can result for exposure to allergens and they can be treated with antihistamines wih or withou steroids.  If notice this occurs only in your new home you may be able find the cause.  An allergist may be able to help you to find the cause.  Once the cause is known then you may be able to get your landlord to help eliminate the cause.  For the most part the true cause of hives may not be found.

Question 7

what can cause hives and swelling if its not an allergic reaction?

Accepted Answer

Hives and angioedema: Most hives and angioedema are caused by allergic reactions however they can also be caused by reactions to medications or things like heat, cold or sunlight.  
A variety of infections, including viral or bacterial infections, or collagen vascular disorders can cause a very similar rash.

Question 8

are hives ever just a side effect of a drug, or are they always considered an allergic reaction?

Accepted Answer

Not always: Hives may be caused by many things including viral infections.   Some drugs like opiates trigger certain types of cells to release histamine and thereby causing hives. Only on rare occasions are hives caused by airborne allergens. On the other hand, drug allergy can indeed cause hives.

Question 9

when i have an allergic reaction why does alcohol make it worse and make me get hives everywhere?

Accepted Answer

Vasodilation : Alcohol has drug effect  making more blood to be pumped to the skin by dilating blood vessels in the skin ( vasodilation). With hives you have leaky blood vessels in the skin and the more fluid you pump into a leaky pipe the more it leaks. Over heating, exercise, taking a hot shower and eating spicey food will do the same thing.

Question 10

can u tell me the difference between urticaria, dermatitis, and hives? which of them is caused by allergic reaction?

Accepted Answer

Urticaria is hives: Urticaria is derived from a Latin word meaning to burn. It is the same thing as hives. Hives lasting 6 weeks are not usually allergic in origin. Dermatitis means any kind of inflamed skin. Atopic dermatitis AKA eczema may be due to allergy. There are many other causes of dermatitis.

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Doctor answers about:

How long does hives last from an allergic reaction

A member asked:

How long will hives last if i'm having an allergic reaction to medication?

A member asked:

Is it normal for a penicillin allergic reaction to last for over a week? after taking it? specifically hives and itching?

A member asked:

I have had a allergic reaction (hives). im breakin out on my hands and vagina.(spread there last time) can it be an allergic reaction?

A member asked:

Thanks for the answers. one last question: can an allergic reaction cause urticaria for 5 or 6 weeks or possibly more? if no what could be the other reasons that make urticaria last so long?

A member asked:

What can cause hives besides an allergic reaction?

A member asked:

I just moved into a new house and i'm having an allergic reaction. i have hives all over my body. what should i do?

A member asked:

What can cause hives and swelling if its not an allergic reaction?

A member asked:

Are hives ever just a side effect of a drug, or are they always considered an allergic reaction?

A member asked:

When i have an allergic reaction why does alcohol make it worse and make me get hives everywhere?

A member asked:

Can u tell me the difference between urticaria, dermatitis, and hives? which of them is caused by allergic reaction?

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